She has been with the organization since 2018. Ms. Bermema earned a Bachelor of Science degree from John Carroll University, and a Master of Health Administration (MHA) from the Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. While studying at Columbia, she developed a strong interest in improving the VA healthcare system and mental health landscape across the United States and she has been serving as Vice President/Director of  Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement for Andrew Vernon and Associates https://avernonassociates.org/our-team, a Veteran centric, community based nonprofit organization. Additionally, she has also has focused her efforts on the innovative and exciting realm of Health Information Technology and Digital Health as the Marketing and Strategy Director for an IT company. Currently, she works for Philips-USA http://www.linkedin.com/in/stela-bermema-mha-2b36477as a Clinical Sales Consultant in Image Guided Therapy Devices for the Endovascular and Interventional Cardiology space.

 

After completing studies at John Carroll University, Stela was a molecular biotechnologist at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, and went on to work for 13 years as a top performing expert sales representative in pharmaceuticals specializing in the Cardiovascular arena. Her passion for Global Cardiovascular Health has been a guiding force throughout her career and it remains a continued motivation to make impactful contributions to underserved communities in her homeland of Tirana, Albania and her fellow brothers and sisters of the small but great country of Kosovo. Ms. Bermema was also a member of the Executive Board for a non-profit International Women’s Club that organizes a myriad of charity and fundraising events to benefit the community and empower its members. She has been a key, communicative contact for medical professionals, stakeholders, and the communities she worked with in Zagreb, Croatia.
 

Developing trusting relationships through which she learns about important efforts within healthcare networks, while also being able to dynamically communicate (multilingual), persuade, and contribute, is her proudest achievement professionally. Ms. Bermema’s strong analytical skills, her ability to strategize effectively, her compassionate outlook, and her proficiency in the arenas of law and policy, make her an invaluable asset to GIFT Project for Cardiovascular Health nonprofit organization.