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Connecting Employees With NGOs for Impactful 3-Month Assignments

Our Merck Richard T. Clark Fellowship for Global Health program helps NGOs address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges

Connecting Employees With NGOs for Impactful 3-Month Assignments

Our Merck Richard T. Clark Fellowship for Global Health program helps NGOs address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges

Published 09-09-22

Submitted by Merck & Co., Inc.

person with a group of children

Each year, approximately 30 employees from around the world are selected to participate in our Fellowship program, a three-month, corporate pro bono program to support the efforts of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

This unique opportunity allows our Fellows to use their skills and talents to help make a difference in the lives of others. It’s also an opportunity for colleagues to engage on important projects that contribute to our company’s environment, social and governance (ESG) goals in our focus area of expanding access to health. Whether they’re looking to understand the patient journey more closely, achieve hands-on experience or help address a health challenge that has impacted them personally, each Fellow, along with the NGO partners and the company, benefits deeply from their assignments.

“The Fellows’ commitment to take on these significant global health challenges is profound.”

Carmen Villar

vice president, social business innovation

“Their personal journey is only part of this experience – the learnings the Fellows bring back contribute to our company’s future success and our ability to deliver innovative health solutions to patients and customers around the world.”

In 2021, due to the pandemic, our Fellowship program went fully virtual for the first time, allowing us to support NGO partners while maintaining employee safety. This format expanded the opportunity to even more potential applicants, especially those who might not be able to leave home for this three-month leadership development experience. Our 2021 Fellows had a unique opportunity to gain valuable insight regarding the challenges of a world emerging from — and in some places still struggling with — a global pandemic.

Due to the continuing impact of the pandemic, this year’s program will continue to function in a mostly virtual format.

large group on zoom

Our impact

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the program. From 2012 to 2022, 283 Fellows from 40 countries have worked with 44 NGO partners. The program has touched thousands of lives in underserved communities around the world by developing and executing creative and sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing health problems.

  • 283 fellows
  • 40 countries
  • 44 NGO partners

Meet some of our alumni Fellows who stepped away from their day jobs to make a difference for people across the globe.

Cristian Martinez
Cristian Martinez

Meet Cristian Martinez Olivares

Cohort 2021 – Argentina

Mmamotsa Makhene
Mmamotsa Makhene

Meet Mmamotsa Makhene

Cohort 2021 – South Africa

Joyce Domingo
Joyce Domingo

Meet Joyce Domingo

Cohort 2021 – Philippines

Elmy Dulk Gerardts
Elmy Dulk Gerardts

Meet Elmy den Dulk-Gerardts

Cohort 2021 – The Netherlands

Nan Wang
Nan Wang

Meet Nan Wang

Cohort 2019 – China

Pooja Jambunathan
Pooja Jambunathan

Meet Pooja Jambunathan

Cohort 2019 – USA

Julia Froehlich
Julia Froehlich

Meet Julia Froehlich

Cohort 2019 – Germany

A spotlight on this year’s NGO partners

  • The Carter Center
  • CerviCusco
  • Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi)
  • mothers2mothers
  • One Health Trust, formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policies (CDDEP)
  • PANIAMOR Foundation
  • Project Hope
  • Seeding Labs
  • University of Dundee
  • White Ribbon Alliance
  • Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS)

Learn more about the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Progress Report.

View original content here.

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Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc.

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on TwitterFacebookInstagramYouTube and LinkedIn.

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