Rosaline Owusu is currently a Wendy Klag Center (WKC) scholar and third-year dual degree student pursuing a Master of Public Health and Doctor of Nursing Practice (MPH/DNP) at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Owusu completed her undergraduate degree in nursing at Pennsylvania State University and gained five years of experience in an acute care setting before pursuing her master’s degree in nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on family health. With over 13 years of experience as a dedicated family nurse practitioner, she has primarily worked in the primary care setting, providing care for diverse populations across the lifespan. In the past three years, Owusu has expanded her expertise by focusing on analyzing and applying policies to address health disparities in populations with developmental disabilities. Her current research emphasis is on addressing the transitional needs of racially and ethnically minoritized autistic youth through policies aimed at eliminating barriers and improving the quality of life and well-being for this population and all youth with developmental disabilities.
Saliha Sheikh is a junior majoring in public health science at the University of Maryland, College Park. Sheikh’s interest in developmental disabilities emerged from her studies of health inequity and its intersection with health policy. During her time as an MCDD intern, she aims to deepen her understanding of resource distribution and policy implementation impacting individuals with disabilities. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, she hopes to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a focus on health policy or a related field. Her goal is to work in public health to address healthcare inequalities and enhance advocacy efforts.
Yomyra Villatoro is a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in public health science. Her passion for advancing healthcare in underserved communities has driven her interest in working with individuals with disabilities. During her internship at MCDD, Villatoro looks forward to gaining comprehensive exposure by participating in various projects, including the Community Engagement and Professional Development Training program. She is excited to learn how to translate scientific evidence into practice and become a more effective advocate for individuals with disabilities. After completing her undergraduate degree, Villatoro plans to pursue a graduate degree and become a medical doctor focusing on health equity, with the ultimate goal of improving healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations.
