Jim Ansara’s journey from construction CEO to global health pioneer reached a new milestone as he was named a recipient of the 2025 AARP Purpose Prize award. This recognition celebrates Ansara’s remarkable transition from the private sector to nonprofit work, where he has made a significant impact on healthcare accessibility in resource-limited settings.
Ansara’s pivot began in 2009 when he volunteered to help construct a small hospital in Haiti. The devastating 2010 earthquake dramatically altered these plans, leading to the creation of the 300-bed Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais. This experience sparked the formation of Build Health International (BHI) in 2014, co-founded by Ansara and Dr. David Walton.
In the decade since its inception, BHI has designed, built, and equipped over 200 healthcare facilities across the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. The organization’s approach goes beyond mere construction, emphasizing sustainability, local community involvement, and overcoming unique challenges in resource-constrained environments.
BHI’s work stands out for its commitment to creating world-class, welcoming, and sustainable facilities. They collaborate closely with ministries of health, partner organizations, and local communities to ensure their projects meet specific needs and can be maintained long-term.
One of BHI’s recent notable achievements is completing Haiti’s largest solar energy project, ensuring continuous power for healthcare workers amidst political unrest. This project exemplifies BHI’s dedication to finding innovative solutions in challenging circumstances.
Reflecting on the AARP Purpose Prize award, Ansara said, “Beyond my own, personal journey, this award is a testament to the tremendous and ongoing work happening at BHI, where a dedicated team of more than 130 people are working day-in and day-out to build dignified, sustainable health infrastructure in some of the most challenging settings on earth.”
Read the full article from September 3, 2024 by Beth Howard for AARP: Jim Ansara: Building Hospitals for the World’s Poorest
Read the related article on the BHI blog: Build Health International Co-Founder Jim Ansara Receives 2025 AARP® Purpose Prize® Award
Watch this video from 2022, when Jim Ansara won another award: