Our Origin Story

The Nursing and Midwifery Development Foundation (NMDF) began with a spark in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Eva Said, Founder and Executive Director of the Nursing and Midwifery Development Centre (NMDC), noticed a clear need: nurses wanted to do more, but they lacked support, training, and space to grow. She started small, training nurses in local hospitals, sharing her knowledge, and lifting up her community. But Eva dreamed a bigger dream to build a state-of-the-art facility where nurses and midwives could learn, practice, and thrive.

Carolyn Melby, NMDF’s Co-Founder, recognized the power of Eva’s vision from the very start. With decades of experience in global nursing policy and advocacy, Carolyn knew how transformative proper training and support could be for healthcare professionals. She connected with Eva to help bring her dream to life, providing guidance, strategic insight, and hands-on support every step of the way. Over time, Carolyn became deeply involved, helping to secure funding, shape the long-term vision, and advocate for professional development in nursing and midwifery. Her partnership with Eva was built on trust, shared passion, and a commitment to elevating the nursing profession in Kurdistan, and, ultimately, beyond.

Michele Calderon, NMDF’s Co-Founder and Board Chair, first entered the story as a PhD student in Public Policy. She asked Carolyn if she could study the NMDC for her dissertation. Over 18 months, Michele interviewed Eva and Carolyn weekly, learning the challenges and triumphs of building a nursing profession from the ground up. When she finally visited during construction in May 2023, she was inspired and decided she wanted to play a bigger role than researcher. She wanted to help. Eva and Carolyn invited her to serve as Board Chair, and together they co-founded the NMDF. Since then, Michele has poured her energy and heart into supporting Eva and making the NMDC a success.

With the support of Latter-day Saint Charities, the Stirling Foundation, the Erbil Governorate, and a dedicated construction team led by Eva’s husband, Nazim, the NMDC opened in January 2024 as the first facility of its kind in the region. Nurses, midwives, security professionals, and other healthcare providers now train in 11 state-of-the-art simulation labs, modern classrooms, and a high-tech computer lab. The facility also hosts conferences, community events, and, soon, an Emergency Preparedness and Response training field to prepare healthcare providers and community members for disasters.

While the NMDC focuses on Kurdistan, the NMDF was created to help it thrive, and to dream bigger. We hope to empower nurses, midwives, and healthcare professionals around the world, especially in underserved and conflict-affected areas, by giving them the tools, training, and support they need to build strong, locally led healthcare systems. We believe that when nurses and midwives are supported, communities thrive, and that’s a vision worth sharing worldwide.