WAH Executive Director: Dr Rany Poun

Dr. Rany was introduced to WAH by our previous Chairman, Peter Ng, in 2012. She initially volunteered to help WAH with translations of the KKH medical programs, and spent her spare time working hard to prepare documentation and make sure the translation from English to Khmer was correct. She then took holiday time to travel to Kampong Chhnang to be translator and instructor on the KKH/WAH medical training programs.

Medical Background

Deputy Head of Sciences, Phnom Penh

Medical Assistant, Vong Sac Clinic

GP Sokleap Metrey

University Puthisastra: Teacher - Nutrition &Health, Midwife, Nursing &, First Aid

MoH Certification & Master’s Business Administration

I can remember on a number of occasions Dr. Rany worked so hard during the day, constantly helping with the training, translating, and taking part in practical training, that she fell sick and lost her voice. But the next day she was back again, making sure the training was a success. In 2016, Dr Rany was offered a position with Kampong Chhnang Provincial Health Department, so she moved from Phnom Penh. We asked her if she would consider working part time with WAH, as long as Dr. Prak Vonn, Director Provincial Health Department, (PHD) was agreeable, which he was, because it gave us a stronger link to work together with PHD on our midwife and paediatric medical training programs.

In 2017 Dr. Rany and I had a discussion on her moving full time to WAH as head of our medical division. Rany agreed, and she was so committed to her job, and dedicated to helping the local communities, that we decided in 2018 to make her Executive Director of WAH, overseeing not just medical but clean water, and education divisions, a big responsibility for a young doctor. Since taking over the leadership of WAH, Rany has transformed the foundation, using her bright personality, medical knowledge, hard work, and attention to detail. She grew WAH even closer to PHD, being present at key PHD strategy meetings. She has re-structured our water system management, taking total control of maintenance, strategy and management. She has run many initiatives, together with The Good Exchange, including cataract mission, dengue fever programs to distribute mosquito nets, Covid-19 emergency response, de-worming programs now that WHO are no longer involved, and distribution of emergency boxes.

Dr. Rany works all hours to build WAH, manage our wonderful team, keep the team happy and committed, and reports regularly on progress. She is a positive person, highly driven, and an asset to WAH. Dr Rany is loved by all our collaboration partners, from KKH to Mount Alvernia hospitals, Tilganga hospital in Nepal, A New Vision, The Good Exchange, and many other groups and individuals we work with.