Our Team

Dr. Haddad came to the Task Force in August, 2008 and became Director of the International Trachoma Initiative in April, 2009. Prior to joining the Task Force, Dr. Haddad held several positions at Helen Keller International (HKI). Most recently, he oversaw the integration of HKI's neglected tropical disease programs (onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminths) in Africa. In addition, he supervised a project for trachoma control in Tanzania that included sanitation improvement and development of a school health curriculum incorporating hygiene education. Other positions Dr. Haddad held at HKI included Africa Regional Coordinator for Onchocerciasis and Trachoma; Director for Onchocerciasis; Country Director for Tanzania; and Regional Eye Health and Onchocerciasis Advisor.

Dr. Haddad serves as the chairperson of the Non-governmental Development Organization Coordination Group for Onchocerciasis Control. He received his medical degree from the State University of Groningen, The Netherlands. He worked as a resident in medical microbiology at the Academic Medical Center (AMC) of the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, where he focused on diagnosis and treatment of parasitic diseases.