Hani Amro

Hani is a medical student at University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago and graduate of Ohio State University, where he earned a B.S. in Neuroscience. He is passionate about community engagement, and improving health outcomes especially for underserved populations. Through medicine, research, and service, he hopes to develop into a physician who combines compassionate patient care with meaningful community impact.

Impact of Scholars Experience

The coaching I received with the Institute has greatly impacted my development as a professional and student. Additionally, it has expanded my understanding of the role we can play as physicians to impact our community.

Hope for Career Impact

I hope to help reduce healthcare disparities affecting those impacted by social determinants of health. My vision for the future is to combine advocacy, cultural competency, and compassion to provide the best care possible for the communities we serve.

Khushi Bhondwe

Khushi is a first-year medical student at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. As an aspiring physician, she hopes to expand accessibility of health knowledge and increase healthcare equity for folks of marginalized communities through building strong patient-physician relationships.

Impact of Scholars Experience

The most meaningful part of my time with IHC has been expanding my perspective beyond the identities and experiences I personally hold. I’ve also developed a stronger ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and interpret findings with greater awareness of the populations represented, or underrepresented, in research.

Hope for Career Impact

I hope to become a physician who understands how conditions affect not only physical function, but also mobility, autonomy, and independence. By highlighting perspectives that are often overlooked in clinical research, I hope to engage in comprehensive care that helps patients, particularly those of marginalized backgrounds, achieve greater quality of life.

Breanna Fosu

Breanna is a student at The Ohio State University with a passion for medicine and learning about health disparities and equity.

Impact of Scholars Experience

My experience with the Institute has deepened my understanding of health promotion, and the various strategies used to present it to the public.

Hope for Career Impact

I hope to advance equity in medicine by addressing health disparities, providing compassionate care and mentoring future health leaders.

Alyssa Frajter

Alyssa is an undergraduate at The Ohio State University working towards her bachelors degree and planning on attending medical school in the future. She started as a research assistant within the lab and is now a part of the first cohort of scholars at the institute.

Impact of Scholars Experience

Through the Institute, I have been able to participate in many meaningful discussions about health and accessibility to health which has allowed me to learn about many aspects of the healthcare system that current and future healthcare professionals are working to improve and ways that I am able to help contribute to this improvement.

Hope for Career Impact

I hope to become a physician in my future and work to improve access, outcomes, and equity within healthcare for individuals in marginalized communities.

Lucas Glock

Lucas is a patient scientist who aspires to leverage lived experience with disability to inform and advance patient-centered research, medical education, and clinical care through doctoral training.

Impact of Scholars Experience

The Institute has provided me with a deeper understanding of the rigorous process of educational and medical research. Furthermore, it has empowered me to reach outside of my comfort zone and excel in leadership and teaching roles both within and outside of the organization.

Hope for Career Impact

I hope to shape research and medical education in ways that center patient experience, leading to more accurate diagnosis, better-informed clinicians, and improved outcomes for patients with complex and underrepresented conditions.

Tate Reed Hutchinson

Tate is an aspiring medical student and freshman attending the University of Tulsa. He hopes to learn and enable unique perspectives in the healthcare space to ensure satisfactory and equitable healthcare in his community.

Impact of Scholars Experience

I have learned about the importance of the identity of patients in the healthcare setting. Ethnicity, identitiy, and expression can all lead to inequitable healthcare outcomes, which I hope to fight against.

Hope for Career Impact

I hope to leverage interpersonal connection and kindness in order to foster more accepting, caring, and inclusive communities.

Caitlin Raid

Caitlin is a medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. In her free time she enjoys recreational sports and reading.

Impact of Scholars Experience

My time with IHC has had a foundational role in my development and growth. I was entrusted with meaningful responsibilities that taught me accountability and helped me mature into a confident health care leader.

Hope for Career Impact

I hope to continue growing as an advocate for my community and find purpose in whatever specialty I choose for my future.

Mykenna Roy

Mykenna is a rising MPH student who is deaf in both ears and also works as a part time EMT. In her free time, Mykenna teaches jiu jitsu and self defense techniques, and enjoys outdoor rock climbing with her friends.

Impact of Scholars Experience

Through my time with the IHC, I’ve learned from and appreciated the authenticity and direct mentorship that this wonderful team of Scholars has provided. I’ve learned so much simply from interacting with such a diverse group of individuals, and analyzing publications in-depth has shown me how much care and intention it takes to evaluate research responsibly.

Hope for Career Impact

I am passionate about emergency medicine, disaster mitigation, and the health disparities that stem from climate change. I hope to care for patients both in the exam room and on the policy floor, providing direct care while also advocating for long-term, systemic reform.

Maria José Castaño Serrano

Maria José recently graduated from Ohio State and plans to apply to medical school in the upcoming cycle. Outside of her studies, she loves collecting records, reading, crafting, and hanging out with friends—activities that help her unwind and stay creative.

Impact of Scholars Experience

My time as part of the Institute has taught me how essential it is to approach healthcare with empathy and inclusivity, especially for underserved and marginalized communities. It helped me realize the power of open conversations in shaping a more accessible and supportive future for everyone.

Hope for Career Impact

I hope to build a career dedicated to delivering compassionate, equitable, and patient-centered care to all communities with dignity and respect, especially within Hispanic communities. My goal is to address systemic barriers, build trust, and advocate for care that respects language, culture, and lived experiences.

Natalyia VanLiew

Natalyia is a medical student with a strong interest in health equity and understanding how people's backgrounds and experiences shape their health and interactions with the healthcare system.

Impact of Scholars Experience

My time with the Institute has given me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Being part of an environment that encourages me to explore my interests, take initiative, and embrace new opportunities has helped me develop as a leader and recognize the ways I can contribute to the communities I hope to serve.

Hope for Career Impact

I hope to advance health equity by meeting patients where they are and helping create opportunities for others in medicine. By offering the same guidance and encouragement that have shaped my own journey, I hope my impact will reach beyond the patients I care for.