Laura Stachel

American obstetrician and co-founder of We Care Solar

Laura Stachel is an American obstetrician and public health advocate, renowned for her work in improving maternal health care in developing countries through the use of solar power. She is the co-founder of We Care Solar, an organization that provides solar-powered solutions to health facilities in regions with unreliable electricity.

Early Life and Education

Laura Stachel was born in the United States. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where she developed an interest in public health and medicine. Stachel went on to earn her medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she specialized in obstetrics and gynecology. Her experiences during her medical training highlighted the critical role of reliable electricity in providing quality health care.

Career

Medical Practice

Stachel practiced as an obstetrician-gynecologist, focusing on maternal health. Her clinical work exposed her to the challenges faced by health care providers in resource-limited settings, particularly the impact of power outages on medical procedures and patient outcomes.

Public Health Advocacy

In 2008, Stachel traveled to Nigeria to study maternal mortality. During her visit, she observed the dire consequences of power outages in maternity wards, including the inability to perform life-saving surgeries and the lack of adequate lighting for deliveries. This experience motivated her to seek sustainable solutions to improve health care delivery in such settings.

We Care Solar

Laura Stachel in 2023

In response to the challenges she witnessed, Stachel co-founded We Care Solar with her husband, Hal Aronson, a solar energy educator. The organization developed the "Solar Suitcase," a portable solar power unit designed to provide essential lighting and power for medical devices in off-grid health facilities. The Solar Suitcase has been deployed in numerous countries, significantly improving the quality of maternal and neonatal care.

Solar Suitcase by We Care Solar

Impact and Recognition

Stachel's work with We Care Solar has been widely recognized for its innovative approach to addressing energy poverty in health care. The Solar Suitcase has been credited with reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in areas where it has been implemented. Stachel has received numerous awards for her contributions to global health, including recognition from the United Nations and various international health organizations.

Related Pages

• Maternal health
• Solar energy
• Public health
• Obstetrics