Honoring a Remarkable Legacy
When Sister Mary Jo McGinley, RSM entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1965, she chose the motto “God Is.” Those two simple words became the compass for a life devoted to faith, service, and leadership. For six decades, Sister Mary Jo has lived her vow of service with humility and determination—first as an educator and principal, then as a hospital administrator, and ultimately as the Executive Director of Global Health Ministry (GHM) since 2004.
Her journey with GHM began modestly in 1999 as a volunteer with the Haiti team, back when the organization was known as Global Health Outreach. She was invited to join as the team leader, and unbeknownst to her at the time, the trip would change the course of her life, and the future of GHM. After the first trip, she applied again to volunteer in 2000, expressing her heartfelt reasons for participating: the chance to “learn from the people in-country”; the opportunity to “share her time and talents”; and the privilege of “working alongside great people.” These early principles that she held reflected her deep commitment to mercy and justice—values that continue to be at the core of GHM.
When Sister Mary Jo stepped into the role of Executive Director in 2004, she brought not only experience, but vision. With a Master of Public Health from Yale University and decades of leadership in education and healthcare, she transformed GHM into a dynamic ministry that reaches across borders and cultures. Under her guidance, the phrase “keep moving forward,” became our rallying cry—a motto that continues to inspire every mission and every volunteer. She does not like the phrase "it is what it is." The reason being, because she feels there is always a way to make a situation better, and to never become complacent.
Her leadership was never about titles; it was about impact. She worked tirelessly in each role that she has held, and could be seen performing almost any possible job necessary to support the teams in their work. Joe Fagan, the treasurer of GHM’s board, broke down what he saw of some of the impact of Sister Mary Jo’s legacy. He quantified the impact and estimated that Sister Mary Jo, in her 60 years of service, has impacted over a million lives. We believe this estimate is on the conservative side.
Through her tenure, Sister Mary Jo became the heart and soul of GHM—a woman of vision and leadership whose influence will endure long after her retirement at the end of January 2026. Her legacy is not just in the programs that she built or the partnerships she nurtured; it is in the lives touched, the hope restored, and communities strengthened.
As we celebrate her extraordinary contributions, we pledge to keep moving her legacy forward. The words she chose in 1965, “God Is”, remain a powerful reminder of why we serve and who we serve. Her life has been a testament to that truth, and now it is our turn to carry that light into the future.
Thank you, Sister Mary Jo, for showing us that when God remains at the center, that mercy knows no boundaries.
On February 1, 2026, Marie Robson, who joined Global Health Ministry as Program Manager in 2019, succeeded Sr. Mary Jo as Executive Director, continuing the ministry's mission and commitment to serving communities in need.
