ReSurge International CEO Susan Hayes Retiring After 19 Years

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ReSurge International (formerly Interplast) announced today that its president and CEO, Susan W. Hayes, is retiring after a distinguished 19-year career, and will be succeeded by Jeff Whisenant, the former executive vice president of Lutheran World Relief, on July 1.

When Hayes joined ReSurge, then known as Interplast, in 1996 the organization's role was to provide surgical care and medical services to poor people in developing countries. Under Hayes' guidance, ReSurge expanded its focus to include adding surgical capacity in those countries, and also training the medical professionals who staff those facilities year-round. The transformation was so profound that Stanford Business School used it as the basis for a case study called, "The Evolution of Interplast."

Hayes led ReSurge to become a sustainable international-development organization. Today over 85 percent of its surgeries are performed by surgical professionals who live in the developing world but have the benefit of ReSurge training, oversight and support. This model has proven to be the most efficient, cost-effective and culturally appropriate way to deliver care.

"It's been a huge privilege to work toward the fulfillment of such an important mission," Hayes said. "The mission caused me to take this job; the incredible people have kept me here for 19 years."

Since 2009, Hayes also has served on the board of InterAction, an alliance of 180+ nongovernmental organizations dedicated to helping the world's poor and vulnerable. Her post-retirement plans include teaching about nonprofit management, writing and serving as board chair of Reading Partners, a national literacy organization.

"We are all so grateful for Susan's 19 years of enthusiasm, vision and steady leadership," said Marion McGovern, the chair of ReSurge's board. "While we're sad to see her go, I know Jeff will continue to lead ReSurge effectively as we work toward a world where no one has to suffer from a repairable deformity or injury."

Whisenant brings to ReSurge more than 20 years of experience providing executive leadership in international relief. Most recently he was an executive vice president at Lutheran World Relief, a Baltimore-based NGO that works to provide solutions to international poverty and injustice.

"I'm excited to join ReSurge, an organization that meets such a vital need in the world," Whisenant said. "Susan has done a fine job of building the organization, and it's humbling to take the reins from such an inspiring leader."

Whisenant helped LWR devise a plan to engage institutional partners, including government, corporations and foundations. The strategy eventually accounted for one-third of the organization's revenue.

He also led finance, fundraising and governance programs at LWR. In addition, he served as chair of the board of ActionAid USA, a global organization that works toward human rights and targets world poverty.

About ReSurge International
ReSurge International (formerly Interplast) builds surgical capacity in developing countries and provides reconstructive surgical care for children and adults living in poverty. We renew the health of 3,000 people each year, enabling them to go to school, provide for their families and be productive members of society. Since 1969, with Stanford roots, ReSurge has provided more than 105,000 surgeries in developing countries. www.resurge.org

SOURCE ReSurge International