Our Team
Dr. Mark Donald C. Reñosa
Research and Innovation Adviser (pro bono)
Dr. Reñosa (they/them) is a health policy and systems researcher with over a decade of clinical and global public health experience. They hold dual PhDs: one in Global Health (Heidelberg University, Germany, 2024, magna cum laude) and one in Nursing Science (St. Paul University, Philippines, 2014). Dr. Reñosa currently serves as a Supervising Science Research Specialist at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine – Department of Health Philippines and as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Their research integrates human-centered design, systems thinking, and implementation science to address infectious and neglected tropical diseases, grounded in a gender-sensitive, decolonial lens and a strong commitment to equity and justice in global health research. Mark is an Emerging Voices for Global Health (2022) Fellow of Health Systems Global and the recipient of the 2026 MMHRDC Health Research Exemplary Award.
Nicole P. De La Rosa
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Nicole P. De La Rosa is a Filipino business development executive and technology strategist with over 12 years of diversified experience across multiple commercial and social sectors. With a sharp focus on technology and innovation, he has a proven track record of helping startups and established organizations build and scale impactful healthcare solutions. Currently a Juris Doctor student, he balances his legal studies with his role as a Board Member and the Vice President for Operations & Compliance at Santibok Health Equity Inc. Nicole integrates his deep expertise in digital transformation to streamline Santibok’s internal infrastructure, ensuring that technological advancements directly translate into more accessible care for marginalized groups. By leveraging innovation as a tool for advocacy, he remains dedicated to advancing health equity and fostering inclusive progress through strategic leadership and disciplined operational oversight.
Dr. Angelito A. Reñosa
Director of Community Advocacy
Dr. Angelito G. Reñosa is a prominent Filipino educator and agricultural scientist with a Doctorate in Rural Development and a Master’s in Public Administration. His distinguished career in academia includes serving as the Dean and Director of International Affairs at Apayao State College, where he spearheaded international training and student exchange programs across Europe. Having grown up in the impoverished district of Tondo, Dr. Reñosa has dedicated his life to championing the rights of marginalized communities through the transformative power of education. He applies his deep expertise in rural systems and governance to support Santibok Health Equity Inc. in its mission of capacity-building and social mobilization. By bridging the gap between academic advancement and grassroots outreach, he ensures that the foundation’s advocacy remains rooted in sustainable community growth and systemic empowerment for the underserved.
Aprilen Marie D. Ramos
Head of Policy & Systems Research
Aprilen Marie Ramos is a Filipino business development executive, innovation strategist, and organizational leader with deep experience in digital media, market research, and technology‑driven growth. She has helped emerging and established tech companies identify strategic opportunities, strengthen market positioning, and drive sustainable innovation.As a Member of the Board of Trustees and Director for Operations, Innovation, and Internal Affairs at Santibok Health Equity Inc., Aprilen oversees organizational operations, internal governance, and process optimization. Drawing on her background in innovation and market intelligence, she helps design systems and initiatives that make Santibok’s advocacy more efficient, data‑informed, and scalable. She works closely with leadership and partners to build resilient structures, foster continuous improvement, and keep the organization adaptive, mission‑driven, and focused on meaningful social impact.
Lad Michelle C. Gubaton, RN, LPT.
Director of Regional Operations
Lad Michelle C. Gubaton is a versatile Filipino entrepreneur, licensed nurse, and professional educator whose career spans the vital intersections of healthcare delivery, academic excellence, and corporate leadership. Serving as a Member of the Board and the Director for Engagement and Partnerships at Santibok Health Equity Inc., she is the primary architect of the organization’s collaborative ecosystem. Her work focuses on bridging gaps between government entities, the private sector, academic institutions, and grassroots communities to foster large-scale, sustainable change. As a passionate advocate for capacity-building, she champions community-centered transformation designed to provide marginalized sectors with the tools they need for long-term self-sufficiency. Her dual background in nursing and education fundamentally informs her approach to coalition-building; she views every partnership through a lens of holistic care and institutional pedagogy, ensuring that Santibok’s health equity initiatives are not only clinically sound but are also structured as empowering, educational experiences for every stakeholder involved.
OUR STORY
Dismantling barriers for a shared future
Santibok Health Equity Inc. was established from a single, urgent realization: that healthcare in our region was not serving everyone equally. Founded by a collective of advocates, researchers, and healthcare professionals, we emerged to address the profound disparities faced by LGBTQIA+ communities and marginalized groups who have long been pushed to the periphery of medical care.
Through our Urban Access Initiative, we bring vital services directly to underdeveloped neighborhoods, bridging the physical gap between patient and provider. Meanwhile, the Inclusive Research Hub serves as our data-driven engine, ensuring that marginalized experiences are translated into actionable policy changes that reform the very fabric of our healthcare landscape.
We invite you to stand with Santibok as we build a future where health equity is not a priviliged goal, but an accessible reality for all.
Our commitment goes beyond traditional outreach; we are dedicated to dismantling the systemic barriers and deep-seated biases that prevent equitable access to wellness. By centering the voices of those most affected by health inequity, we believe we can rebuild a system that honors the dignity and rights of every individual, regardless of their identity or background.