Our Team
Acadia is a women-owned, social impact consulting firm, dedicated to advancing global maternal and newborn health.
We aim to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes through research, facilitation, knowledge management and strategic communications. We design and implement evidence-based, patient-centred, culturally sensitive programs. Be nd our core team, we work with a diverse group of experts, both local and around the world, to meet the specific demands of each project.
Founder Mélanie V. Chevarie, MEHP, LM, CPM
Mélanie V. Chevarie, B.Sc., MEHP, LM, CPM | Founder & Director
Mélanie V. Chevarie is an internationally recognized midwife, educator, and global maternal health specialist with more than two decades of experience in clinical practice, medical education, and health systems strengthening.
She holds a Master of Education in the Health Professions (MEHP) from Johns Hopkins University, where she specialized in evidence-based medical education. Her graduate work focused on developing training programs in remote-area obstetrical emergencies and on trauma-informed care for obstetrical providers.
Mélanie is a Licensed Midwife and Certified Professional Midwife with a degree in Tropical Medicine and an advanced certificate from Geneva University on Global Health and Human Rights, who specializes in maternal and newborn health, out-of-hospital birth, and emergency obstetrical care in low-resource settings. Since 2013, she has worked extensively across sub-Saharan Africa as both a clinician and educator, collaborating with hospitals, community birth centers, NGOs, and international partners to improve the safety and quality of maternity care.
Her work integrates evidence-based medicine, culturally responsive care, and trauma-informed clinical practice. She has trained healthcare providers across multiple countries in emergency obstetrics, respectful maternity care, and community-based models of maternal health. In addition to her global health work, Mélanie has over twenty years of teaching experience in midwifery, reproductive health, and medical education.
Through the Acadia Global Institute for Midwifery & Women’s Health, Mélanie leads initiatives focused on capacity building, clinical training, research, and program design to strengthen maternal and newborn health systems worldwide. Her work centers on developing sustainable, community-rooted models of care that respect the dignity, autonomy, and safety of women and families.