EMURG Health Equity Fellows
Veronica Rodriguez
MISSION STATEMENT: As a passionate, culturally aware, and dedicated MPH graduate, I use my research focus to inspire, collaborate, and advocate for health equity. In my ideal world, health initiatives and policy insights enable and shape a reality in which everyone has access to high-quality healthcare and lives free of fear and shame.
Keyazia Taylor
MISSION STATEMENT: It is my mission to be intentional about helping others achieve their optimal health as well as alleviate persistent health disparities within communities.
Aaron Connolly
MISSION STATEMENT: As a public health practitioner, I will strive to be resilient, demonstrate strong communication skills, and be open to learning new skills or develop the ones I currently have from my Master of Public Health degree. By working with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), I want to utilize the skills I gained during my MPH to ensure equity and inclusiveness learning from my mentor and contributing to current policy work that the office is focused on. My perfect world is a place where every individual has access to health services and every person has the opportunity through creating policy change which will create these opportunities to eliminate health disparities.
Nikolaos Rivera
MISSION STATEMENT: I will use my career and knowledge to bridge knowledge gaps and reduce healthcare inequalities in immigrant and low socioeconomic status households. I will do my best to acknowledge the cultures of my peers and patients and respect their beliefs. I hope to leave this earth better than I found it.
Alexandria Morgan
MISSION STATEMENT: Each day I will strive to promote health equity and effective public health policy. I will honor my knowledge and blessings by empowering underserved communities and advocating for their health and rights. Through dedicated service, teaching, and research, I will work to reduce health disparities and foster a healthier, more inclusive society.
Mineh Sahakian
MISSION STATEMENT: As a public health researcher, my mission is to leverage evidence-based research from cognitive sciences to drive meaningful advancements in addressing HIV prevalence within underserved communities in America. By dissecting the intricate interplay of mediating and moderating variables, I aim to highlight pathways for targeted interventions that will significantly contribute to the goal of ending the HIV epidemic. Through rigorous data analysis and strategic policy implementation, I am dedicated to making visible improvements in public health outcomes that align closely with the objectives of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative.
Promise Troah
MISSION STATEMENT: As a dedicated public health official, my mission is to leverage the knowledge and skills I have acquired to address and reduce health disparities among diverse and vulnerable populations. Through the application of empathy, advanced technology, and evidence-based practices, I aim to create and implement sustainable health initiatives that improve the quality of life for those most in need. My commitment is to foster inclusive, equitable healthcare environments that empower communities, enhance health outcomes, and promote overall well-being for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Elena Fernandez
MISSION STATEMENT: Every day, I will work to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in my research, publications, community outreach and engagement, and classrooms. I will advocate for and support young children, specifically those in under-resourced communities, as well as their families. Finally, I will continue to use my voice to challenge and speak up against injustices, particularly as they relate to access to a high-quality early childhood education.
Esohe Irabor
Howard University
Degree: Biology, PhD (c)
Expected Graduation Date: December 2022
MISSION STATEMENT: Daily, I will strive for excellence academically, socially and professionally. I will do my best to equip others to do the same. I will be a proponent for interdisciplinary research as well as an advocate for the disadvantaged through community service, science communication and STEAM research. Ultimately, I want to be known as a dynamic professional that is competent, intentional and accomplished.
Abena Afari
University of Maryland
Degree: Master of Public Health (c)
Expected Graduation Date: May 2023
MISSION STATEMENT: As a public health professional and practitioner, I will positively impact and contribute to the improvement of healthcare systems. I will achieve this through leadership and advocacy in the field. I will engage communities and use my gifts to confront systemic barriers and inequities.
Priscilla Markin, MPH
Johns Hopkins University
Degree: MBA (c) in Healthcare Management, Innovation and Technology
Expected Graduation Date: May 2024
MISSION STATEMENT: As a health professional, I am determined to utilize all knowledge bestowed to me to assist individuals in need of health care services. I am dedicated to the principle that all people have the right to affordable, efficient, equitable and quality health care services. To foster such principles, I will utilize democratic leadership facets to positively motivate and create a team of likeminded partnerships. As a team, we will advocate and develop solutions regarding economic sustainability for the allocation of quality health care services. In addition, contribute to the development of policies that efficiently redirect, repurpose and reuse sustainable resources with the goal to mitigate the cost and provide equitable health care services for underserved populations globally.
Himaja Nagireddy, MS, BS, BS, BA
1th Youth Observer to the United Nations
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Degree: SM-80, Environmental Health Epidemiology
Graduation Date: May 2022
MISSION STATEMENT: Each day I will strive to serve and uplift those in my community and my world through my education, professional work and public service. I will constantly advocate for people’s human rights to health and well-being, environmental justice, gender equity and civic engagement. I will do my absolute best to raise the voices of those underrepresented in the spaces I have the privilege to occupy.
Shivani J. Sowmyan
Penn State College of Medicine
Degree: Masters in Public Health (c), in Epidemiology & Biostatistics
Expected Graduation Date: August 2023
MISSION STATEMENT: As an emerging public health professional, I aspire to learn from industry leaders, conduct ethical research and put my best foot forward to ensure healthcare accessibility to all individuals. I will continue to advocate for the rights of other individuals no matter their background and will always strive to do my part in improving the healthcare system. In order to create positive change, I believe that it is my duty to continue learning, so that there can be equality in the world of healthcare amongst us all.
Munazza Saalim Abraham, MA
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Degree: Clinical and Community Psychology Ph.D. Candidate
Expected Graduation Date: May 2024
MISSION STATEMENT: Each day I will honor my ancestors by embodying ubuntu (“I am, because we are”) to acknowledge my interconnected purpose with my soul, nature, and my people; past, present, and future. I will honor my ancestors by embodying sankofa (“go back and get it”) to look to the past and apply lessons for a brighter and wiser future. My mission is to foster spaces and capacities for building community, raising critical consciousness and changing harmful cultures. I will support the whole mind, body and spiritual healing of African descent people by learning and protecting our ancient ways of being and knowing; by promoting and engaging in anti-oppression research, consulting, teaching and policy advocacy to dismantle white supremacy systems; by promoting and facilitating African-centered psychotherapy and creative expression as healing tools; and ultimately, developing wealth and wellness programs in Black communities and carceral facilities to disrupt generational poverty and trauma cycles towards a future of internal and external freedom, sovereignty, abundance, unity and happiness.
