Young Physicians Initiative
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YPI 2020-2021 Team

YPI High School

Director
Troy Kleber
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2020
Clarkston High School
Kingsley Leung
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
My name is Kingsley Leung, and I lived in Hong Kong before my family moved to San Rafael, California in 2000. I graduated from Northwestern University in 2015, spent a year with the Fulbright program in Korea teaching English to elementary student, and then returned to graduate school at Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health before coming to Emory. Mentorship and education have been the most valuable parts of every experience, and I believe YPI will be similarly impactful both for myself and for my mentees. I am really looking forward to helping Clarkston High School students find the strength in their own stories on their journeys to medical school.​
 
Ryon Arrington
Medical Student
Emory School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
Ronnie Festok
Medical Student
Emory School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
My name is Ronnie Festok, and I was born in Jacksonville, Alabama but raised in nearby Birmingham. I recently graduated from Emory University with a degree in English. My parents are both of Syrian origin, and this cultural background has made me acutely aware to what extent opportunity is built on the basis of chance. There is no lack of brilliant, passionate people; there is only mismanagement of opportunity. I hope that my role as a member of YPI will allow me to pass on the valuable mentorship I've been fortunate enough to receive as someone aspiring for a career in medicine.
 
Drew Charter School
Segun Adeagbo
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
​
​My name is Segun Adeagbo and I am a current M1 student at the Emory SOM. I am originally from South Amboy, NJ but moved down to Georgia in 2015 and have been here ever since. I graduated from Emory University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Biology and Philosophy and have had the pleasure of teaching several Georgia high school students during my time here. I hope to become a resource and a mentor to these students while providing them with an enjoyable and informative learning space. I am eager to be a part of the YPI program and meet the next generation of healthcare professionals.
 
Alexandra Llovet
Medical Student
Emory School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
Elizabeth Zeichner
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2018 with a degree in chemistry. While in college, I participated in (and eventually led) a youth mentoring organization. After college, I was a high school chemistry teacher in Los Angeles for two years. Through mentoring and teaching, I worked with many students who expressed interest in medicine or health-related fields but had little exposure to or support in accessing these careers. I am excited to join YPI to mentor students as they explore their interests and learn about future options.

Academe of Oaks
Emily Wright
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in Molecular Biology, I worked on a critical care ambulance before coming to Emory for medical school. As the first in my family to pursue a career in medicine, I relied heavily on the guidance and advice of mentors throughout high school and college to pursue my dream of being a physician. I am excited to help students explore the health care field, make medical school more widely accessible and demystify the journey to become a physician.
 
Ludivine Brunissen
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
​
My name is Ludivine Brunissen and I grew up in Paris, France. I graduated from Yale University in 2019 and spent the next year doing research at the Child Study Center and climbing in Utah. At Yale, I had the chance to serve as a peer mentor for underrepresented first-years in STEM and witnessed the impact that mentorship can have on lowering barriers to pursuing medicine, which I hope to do at Academe of the Oaks!
 
North Druid Hill 
Richard Wu​
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
​I originally grew up for Michigan attended college at the University of Michigan, where I studied biochemistry and anthropology. I stayed there to work as a study coordinator and during my time in Ann Arbor, I really enjoyed the opportunities I had to tutor and work with nearby high school and college students. I have a deep appreciation for all of the people who mentored me and helped me in my journey and hope to encourage and serve the students of YPI in the same way!
 
Ambika Menon
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
After having graduated from Duke University in 2018 with degrees in Biology and English, I spent the last two years teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th Science in a Title I Middle School in Providence, RI. It was the greatest privilege to not only teach but learn with and from my students and their dreams. As such, I can't wait to continue to work to empower, motivate, and dream with North Druid Hills High Schoolers as they pave the path to their aspirations.  ​

​YPI Middle School

Director
Cricket Gullickson
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2020

My name is Cricket Gullickson, and I came to Emory for medical school after graduating from Princeton with degrees in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Global Health and Health Policy. While I was growing up in a low-income, rural community in Wisconsin, I was very lucky to have great mentors and advisors that pushed me to broaden my horizons. I think programs like YPI can be vitally important to students, and I am excited to be part of the program! ​

Mary Pelling
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
​My name is Mary Pelling, and I am a first-year medical student at Emory. Prior to medical school, I went to Duke University for my undergraduate and majored in biomedical engineering. I then worked for Abbott for six years in cardiac medical technology. I loved my job so much that it inspired me to become a physician! I am the first in my family to pursue medicine and I am excited to share my journey with young students and hopefully inspire them. YPI offers wonderful support, mentorship, and encouragement for young students interested in a future in medicine. I am excited to work with the middle school students and co-YPI leaders!
 
Kester Gibbons
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
My names is Kester Gibbons and I am medical student at Emory University. I graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology in 2017. I have an interest in Cardiology or Emergency Medicine and would eventually like to work with immigrant populations in whatever field I choose. I speak Spanish but my family is originally from Guyana
Hannah Miller
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
Hannah Miller came to Emory for medical school after she graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Psychology. Hannah was an Anatomy and Physiology Teaching Assistant for multiple years and enjoyed getting the students excited about what they were learning. She hopes to use her passion for teaching to spark interest in the field of medicine amongst the YPI students.

​
Drew Gerber
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
I am a first year medical student at the Emory University School of Medicine.  After growing up in a suburb of Washington, DC, I attended Duke University, where I majored in Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Psychology.  In my free time, I enjoy reading and exercising.  I am excited to be a part of YPI to help encourage younger students to dive into medicine!
 
Jose Trinidad Maria
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
Mina Henes
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024

​YPI College

Director
Douglas Miller
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2021
​
As a high school student in Atlanta, I was fortunate to have amazing college counselors to help me navigate the college application process. Though, I wish I could have received more specific advice about college majors or career paths in medicine from students who were going through the process. Mentoring students at the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland and other organizations while studying at UC-Berkeley and working as a collegiate swim coach at Emory, I saw the impact that can be had through mentorship. I am lucky to have the opportunity to continue mentoring and teaching through YPI at North Druid Hills High School.
GSU Downtown
Reem Dawoud​
​Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2020
 
​My name is Reem Dawoud and I was on a long and winding path towards medical school at Emory. As Palestinian refugees fleeing the Gulf War in Kuwait, my family moved all over the world before settling in America for college. Working full-time for three years while putting together my application, I would not have made it to medical school if it wasn’t for my mentors. I am passionate about YPI because I want to help illuminate the path to medicine for those students like me not too long ago.
 
Robert Roundy
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
​My name is Robert Roundy and I grew up in Burlington, Iowa. I then moved to Atlanta to go to Emory for college and graduated in 2019. In undergrad, I spent time being a mentor for Organic Chemistry, working in the Pre-Health Advising office on campus, conducting research in the Department of Human Genetics, and competing in Mock Trial. I'm super excited to be a part of YPI because there are many twists and turns on the path to becoming a physician, but I realize that my mentors made a truly profound difference and helped guide me along the way. It is that same impact that I hope to have on the young physicians of tomorrow.
 
Sydni Williams
Medical Student
Emory School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
Alan Amedi
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
My name is Alan Amedi, and I was born and raised in Clarkston, Georgia, but I am originally from Kurdistan. Before starting medical school at Emory, I completed my Bachelor’s in Biology at Georgia State University. YPI played an essential role in my journey to medical school while I was at Georgia State University. My YPI leaders instilled a sense of belief and confidence in myself that I did not have before. I could not have made it to medical school without their mentorship and encouragement. I joined YPI as a medical student because I want to give hope and guidance to eager students interested in medicine, just as my YPI leaders did for me.
 
GSU Clarkston
John Chancellor
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
My name is John Chancellor and I grew up in a small town in southern Alabama. After graduating with a degree in Neuroscience from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), I served as a secondary school teacher in Mozambique for two years with the U.S. Peace Corps. Some of my most rewarding experiences in that role were encouraging and empowering several of my students to pursue higher education and helping connect them to resources for them to carve out their own path to success. I plan to bring that same energy to my students in YPI to excite and inspire them to pursue careers in medicine.​
 
Mariana Rodriguez Duran
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
I am originally from Colombia, but I grew up in Miami before moving to Georgia where I completed my Bachelor’s at the University of Georgia and am currently working on my medical degree at Emory University. Living in areas with vastly diverse socioeconomic statuses and cultures opened my eyes to the social inequalities that exist and how education can be used to overcome these inequalities. I hope to be a resource and a mentor to encourage others to pursue professional careers, specifically in medicine, and help others overcome the social inequalities.
 
Ben Williams
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
I grew up in Atlanta and graduated from Brown University in 2016 with a degree in Neuroscience and English Literature. I spent a few years afterwards working in research, health policy, and writing/editing. Applying to medical school requires a tremendous amount of resources -- resources that are unequally and unjustly distributed. I'm excited to be part of YPI to do my part to help students pursue their career in medicine.
 
Qsanet Tekie
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
Hi! My name is Qsanet Tekie and I am a member of Emory SOM's Class of 2024. I graduated from Duke University in 2019 with a degree in Environmental Science and Policy before taking a gap year prior to starting at Emory. I was fortunate to have a network of parents, friends, and mentors to help me get into a medical school, so I know the importance of support for anyone trying to enter the medical field. I enjoy helping people reach their goals and I hope to do just that with YPI.
 
Agnes Scott College
Emaline Laney
Medical Student
Emory School of Medicine Class of 2022
 
Michaela Henderson
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
I am originally from Marysville, Ohio, and completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry at Washington University in St. Louis before beginning medical school at Emory. Growing up in a rural area, I did not readily gain exposure to medicine, but I was fortunate enough to find several key mentors who helped me realize my passion for patient care and aid me in the process of applying to medical school. I am excited to serve a similar role for other students through YPI and to help them explore their interests and navigate their career goals.​
 
Abby Wilson
Medical Student
Emory School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
Kathleen Metz
Emory School of Medicine Alum
 
I grew up in the Atlanta and left to attend the University of Michigan before then returning back home to go to Emory for medical school. Having taken a somewhat non-traditional route to medical school, I appreciated having mentors in my corner who helped me navigate the process and teach me about the various paths into medicine and what a medical career would look like. I got involved with YPI originally because of a leaving for teaching and mentoring, and it has subsequently flourished into a desire to encourage and motivate others to see their own potential and help equip them to bring their own goals into fruition!
Georgia Tech
Mackenzie Bennett
Medical Student
Emory School of Medicine Class of 2022
 
Lena Chu​​
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
My name is Lena Chu, and I graduated from Georgia Tech in 2018 before coming to Emory. As an M1 student, I have decided to join YPI because I want to inspire and encourage students to pursue their interest in medicine. I hope that I may serve as a resource for students with a passion for medicine, and I look forward to serving my community.
 
Harrison Goodall
Medical Student
Emory School of Medicine Class of 2022
 
Nathaniel Forrester
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
My name is Nathaniel Forrester, and I am a student at Emory University School of Medicine. I am excited to work with YPI because I struggled with the learning curve connected to getting to medical school. I hope to be a resource and encourage other students to keep pushing towards their goal.
 
 
Barrington Bennett
Medical Student
Emory School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
Hello, my name is Barrington, and I am a M1 at Emory University School of Medicine. Some of my hobbies include watching the NBA, working out, and traveling. I joined YPI because I am very impassioned by grassroots service, and despite not initially having any positive role models to lead my personal premed journey, I still acknowledge the critical importance of mentorship and would love to provide that for others.
 
Clark Atlanta University
Alexandra Caldwell
Medical Student
Morehouse School of Medicine Class of 2022
 
As a former high school science teacher, I developed a passion for educating, mentoring, and building meaningful relationships with my students by continuously uplifting and inspiring them.  Serving as a YPI leader will allow me to integrate my passions for medicine, educating, and mentoring to inspire tomorrow's future doctors.
 
Neal Shukla
Medical Student
Morehouse school of Medicine Class of 2022
 
I decided to join YPI, because I wanted to encourage students to continue pursuing their passion for medicine and remind them of what they are working towards amid the arduous journey of college and applying to medical school.
 
 
Malik Nelson
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
I am from Detroit, MI and am the very first alumnus of Jackson State University, one of the largest HBCUs in the nation, to attend Emory University School of Medicine. Growing up below the poverty line and without a father in the home, I know the obstacles people from a background like mine face every day. It is my intention to inspire those in my community with backgrounds like mine to pursue medicine and be the change they want to see.
 
Leslie Gabrielle Carter
​Medical Student
Morehouse School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
​My name is Leslie Carter, and I completed a Bachelor's in Art (painting) at Mercer University in 2018. I have spent several years teaching art for a non-profit organization, Peach Place in Macon, Ga. My path to medical school was different from my peers, in fact I believe that it is different for every student. As a non-traditional medical student, I hope that I can be someone who will encourage other students to find their unique quality that they will bring to the field of medicine. Most importantly, I want to serve as a mentor who can help students navigate their path to medical school.
 
Shriya Tanti
​Medical Student
Morehouse School of Medicine Class of 2023
​
My name is Shriya Tanti and I am currently a medical student at Morehouse School of Medicine. As a first-generation student, I understand how difficult it can be to navigate through the path to medical school when you don’t have access to mentors or networks in the medical field. I joined YPI because of its mission to make medical mentorship a possibility for all and I greatly look forward to motivating and supporting students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
 
Carlton “Garret” Smith
Medical Student
Morehouse School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
Jimmy Nguyen
Medical Student
Morehouse School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
East TN University
Shivan Birwari
Medical Student
ETSU Class of 2022
 
Middle Georgia State University
Parth Patel
Medical Student
Mercer School of Medicine Class of 2022

​YPI Doctor for a Day

Co-Director
Shelby Hassberger
Medical Student
PCOM Class of 2020

Umaymah Mohammad
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
​I was born in South Dakota but have lived in many places since then. I am an M1 in the MD/PhD program in Anthropology, and my research interest is in confronting structural violence as a physician, racialization processes in Western societies, and health equity broadly. Most recently, I came from Indianapolis where I attended undergrad at Indiana-University Purdue-University of Indianapolis and studied Neuroscience and Political Science. I also spent over 5 years as a community organizer there, mobilizing and educating communities around Islamophobia, Palestine, racism, militarism, and other structures of oppression. Along with that work, I founded a grassroots organization that empowered Muslim youth in the local community to resist Islamophobia, and a part of that was beginning a scholarship mentoring program to teach young people how to organize in their communities. Being a part of my community and working to uplift marginalized folk is central to why I entered medicine, and to learn from my community to know what health equity should look like.
 
Christine Bethencourt
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
​
My name is Christine Bethencourt, and I attended the University of Florida for my undergraduate studies where I pursued degrees in Biology and Psychology. I am originally from Miami, Florida and as a first-generation Cuban American in my family, I feel extremely honored to be at Emory for my medical education. Throughout my life, I have been blessed with an abundance of support from mentors and family as I pursued my aspirations of becoming a doctor, and I am so excited to work with YPI to encourage and guide students while they attain their goals.
 
Simon Akhnoukh
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
 
My name is Simon Akhnoukh. I grew up in Tampa, Florida before attending Washington University in St. Louis where I studied Biochemistry and Economics. My parents are both immigrants from the Middle East, and they always encouraged me and my two younger sisters to pursue the plentiful opportunities for higher education that are available here in the states. I joined YPI because I want to extend the same guidance that I was given by my parents and mentors. I spent a few years working with high school students coming from similar backgrounds as myself, and I hope to continue working with bright, high school students.​
Co-Director 
Dylan Krause
Medical Student
PCOM Class of 2020
Alice Hsu
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
I am originally from Seattle, WA, and I graduated from Dartmouth College in 2019 majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Chemistry, followed by a Teaching Fellowship in Chemistry from 2019-2020. At Dartmouth, I co-founded and co-directed TEDxDartmouth, an independently-run, 100% student-led TED conference that sought to make innovative ideas within and relevant to our Upper Valley community accessible to its residents. I joined YPI because I am passionate about making dreams come true, and I hope to integrate my experiences as a conference director and teacher through YPI to inspire young people to persevere with their goals towards becoming a medical professional.  
 
Leen Bakdash
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
I grew up in Wichita, KS and began at Emory shortly after graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in the biological sciences. I joined YPI because I believe one of the best ways to improve patient care for all is by improving representation in medicine. This begins with empowering and mentoring students early in their academic journeys.
 
Katherine Case
Medical Student
Emory School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
My name is Katherine Case, and I am currently a first-year medical student at  Emory University School of Medicine. I am originally from Washington D.C., and after graduating from Bowdoin College in 2017, I spent several years working in a research lab in Boston before deciding to apply to medical school. I am so grateful for all of the professors, advisors, and mentors who have inspired me to pursue a path in medicine, and who have been instrumental in helping me get here. I am so excited to join the YPI team! ​

​YPI Premed Portal

Director
Noah Newman
Medical Student
Wake Forest School of Medicine Class of 2022
Speakers Coordinator
Abdallah Obaidy
Medical Student
Tufts School of Medicine Class of 2025
 

Research Analyst
Lindsey Lill
Medical Student
Wake Forest School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
Premed Resource Developer
Tomiwa Oderinde
Medical Student
Morehouse School of Medicine Class of 2020

Premed Resource Developer
Dani Sanchez
Medical Student
UAB School of Medicine Class of 2020
Video Editor
Daniel Kaganov
Medical Student
Wake Forest School of Medicine Class of 2023

Graphic Designer
Tamir Zitelny
Medical Student
Wake Forest School of Medicine Class of 2024
 
Digital Outreach Coordinator
Christine Bethencourt
Medical Student
Emory University School of Medicine Class of 2023
​
My name is Christine Bethencourt, and I attended the University of Florida for my undergraduate studies where I pursued degrees in Biology and Psychology. I am originally from Miami, Florida and as a first-generation Cuban American in my family, I feel extremely honored to be at Emory for my medical education. Throughout my life, I have been blessed with an abundance of support from mentors and family as I pursued my aspirations of becoming a doctor, and I am so excited to work with YPI to encourage and guide students while they attain their goals.

​YPI Virtual Mentorship Circles

Executive Director
Julio C Santana
Medical Student
University of Alabama at Birmingham SoM Class of 2021
Senior Director 
Dasiel Bellido de Luna
Medical Student
University of Alabama at Birmingham SoM ​Class of 2022

Co-Director
Adonias Lemma
Medical Student
Morehouse SoM Class of 2023
​Co-Director
Daniela Sanchez
Medical Student
University of Alabama at Birmingham SoM Class of 2024

Co-Director
Tomiwa Oderinde
Medical Student
Morehouse SoM Class of 2024
Donate to YPI
YPI is part of U-Beyond Mentorship, a 501(c)(3) public charity organization.
​Financial donations are tax exempt.

Tax Id: 81-2964358. ​
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