Marj Ratel – RN BSN
Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation (KBNF), Founder and President
KBNF (Liberia), Founder and President
A neuroscience high acuity staff nurse at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) since 1978, Marjorie Ratel is a strong advocate for access to quality health care in low and middle level income West African countries and was the spearhead of Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation. Founding the Korle-Bu Project in 2000, the vision and mission expanded as the non-profit Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation was launched in 2002. By 2004 and 2005, the Canadian public and operating charities were established to fulfill the mandate of launching state-of-the-art health care facilities, shipping medical humanitarian aid and conducting neurosurgery missions. The University of Ghana Medical Centre is a testimony to the dynamic partnership of the government of Ghana and KBNF that birthed the rise of a contemporary complex. 2021 welcomed the creation of KBNF (Liberia), a Liberian incorporated non-profit to serve Liberia and neighbouring West African nations. Marj possesses a tenacious drive to improve the lives of others and a natural aptitude for inspiring key figures and organizations to support her vision.
In 2006, Marj was presented with the Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Award for her efforts in improving neuroscience and health care delivery to Ghanaians and is a permanent honorary member of the Ghana Canada Association of B.C. In 2007, University of British Columbia (UBC) Alumni conferred on Marj the Global Citizenship Award. In 2013, she was honoured by Canada’s Governor-General David Johnston with the Governor General’s Visit Medallion for “dedication to improving medical treatment and promoting research in neuroscience in Ghana.” In 2022, Marj received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award.
Marj is a member of the Permanent Council of the internationally acclaimed G4 Alliance and is a founding director of the Global Institute of Perioperative Care (USA), based in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a long-standing faculty member of the Accra College of Medicine, the leading contemporary private medical school serving Ghana and West Africa. In 2022, Marj joined the Advisory Committee for the Lift the Children Foundation, pledged to support orphaned children across Kenya as well as Uganda and Liberia. A seasoned Toastmaster known for her storytelling, Marj led the Telespeakers Toastmasters Club as the President during their 50th year celebrations.
A graduate of VGH and UBC, much of Marj’s career has been spent providing clinical expertise and education in the field of neuroscience and geriatrics. An accomplished pianist, music has been a passion of Marj’s since the age of 10. She is a devoted mother to her adult children, Bradley and Melissa. The family welcomed Melissa’s husband Chris Goryniuk, PhD Clinical Pharmacist, into the family in 2017.