Sabrina Alahmad
University: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Professional Interests/Goals: I am quickly learning my interests lie in clinical pharmacy and academia as I enjoy critical thinking and solving puzzles that which are patients. I also have been exploring the avenue of academia and appreciate the outlooks of teaching.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…AHEC works on implementing interdisciplinary fields for optimal care. This is especially true in pharmacy as pharmacists are the midpoint that unites all care for the patient. Pharmacists are vital in-patient health as mediation adherence, compliance, and understanding rely heavily on the pharmacist; therefore, pharmacist are to be knowledgeable and have a network of colleagues that correlate with every healthcare field. AHEC allows for the exposure to different health avenues, ultimately exposing the importance of pharmacist on a healthcare team but also exposes pharmacists to other healthcare fields and the proper expectations.
Fun Fact: I enjoy traveling and reading. I can finish a good book in a few hours! I am a fast reader.
Chedeline Apollon
University: University of South Florida
Major: Public Health
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Professional Interests/Goals: I’m particularly interested in health equity and closing the gap between health outcomes for minority communities and non-minority communities. Additionally, I find a special interest in the health outcomes and implications of culture on the health of immigrants from the Caribbean.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…it allows me the opportunity to explore the intersection of all my professional interests. Throughout my educational experience, I’ve found myself more and more inclined to answer some questions that most of time others may be apprehensive to address due to their sensitive nature and to truly advocate for those who may remain voiceless in the arena of health care and access to care.
Fun Fact: I prefer to read the book rather than watch a movie adaptation.
Bria Ariza
University: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
Major: Pharmacy | Master of Science in Medical Education
Hometown: North Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands
Professional Interests/Goals: I have special interest in a clinical setting and/or a setting that allows me to work closely with local communities. I enjoy community outreach because I believe and see that it makes a difference, and this makes me happy.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…it promotes inter-professional relationships which is essential when caring for patients. The program also compliments the various healthcare fields and degrees that we’re in and it shows that we’re not that much different from each other, whether doctor, pharmacist or those working in public health, but a team when it comes to healthcare. With this program, the gaps are being filled!
Fun Fact About Yourself: If it’s crafty I’m definitely down to create some art.
Juliana Azeredo
University: University of South Florida
Major: Public Health
Hometown: Yonkers, New York
Professional Interests/Goals: I am interested in health disparities especially among vulnerable populations. In the future, I plan to work as a health educator/program coordinator at the community or university level.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…it has shown me the value of interprofessional efforts in health care. The didactic component allowed me to learn about topics I wouldn’t have otherwise learned in public health. The experiential hours showed me how each profession has their own skills, and that together, collaboration can have a lasting impact on populations.
Fun Fact: I lived in Brazil for a year and went to school while I was there.
Desteni Barnes
University: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
Major: Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Marianna, Florida
Professional Interests/Goals: I am interested in leadership and quality improvement of health outcomes.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because… it provides a foundation of knowledge and brings awareness to healthcare disparities among underserved communities.
Fun Fact: I love cooking and eating food from different ethnicities. Also, I am the designated Thanksgiving baker.
LaKese Brown
University: University of South Florida
Major: Public Health
Hometown: Albany, Georgia
Professional Interests/Goals: I would like to acquire an internship or job by Summer 2020 that helps promote the purpose of Public Health, which is to prolong life, promote a healthy lifestyle, and Prevent diseases. My academic goals are to successfully complete the certification in Public Health (CPH) exam and the entry level associate infection prevention and control (A-PIC) exam before graduation in 2021.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…students are able delve deeper into how Public Health is applied through diverse methods. The AHEC Scholars program also provides unique resources, networking possibilities, and opportunities for growth that will not always be available to students in a traditional classroom setting.
Fun Fact: I played competitive university golf, and currently enjoy playing for leisure while exploring new areas.
Cassandra Darling
University: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown: Oak Harbor, Washington (Navy brat, so many other places too!)
Professional Interests/Goals: I have many interests and goals. Specifically for pharmacy I’d like to pursue Functional Medicine and public health with some day owning my own business. Ultimately, I would also like to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine and graduate from culinary school.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because… it helps bring health disparities to light. I believe each person has a living right to have access to quality healthcare and AHEC helps to stop the inequality.
Fun Fact: I like to eat kiwis, skin and all!
Jessie Clark
University: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Professional Interests/Goals: In addition to working towards my PharmD, I am also pursuing my Masters in Medical Education so I will be able to serve in the field of academia and educate the next generation of health care providers.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…AHEC provides students in different health care fields the opportunity to come together and learn as a team. By supplementing traditional studies to improve interprofessional education and cultural competency, the program equips future health care workers with skills and insight to provide better patient care specifically in underserved communities.
Fun Fact : During my undergraduate studies, I spent a semester abroad at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji studying Coral Reef Ecology and Island Biogeography.
Brie Howerton
University: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
Major: Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Peoria, Illinois
Professional Interests/Goals: I am interested in advocating for my patients and profession in health policy and the state and national level. I am also very interested in gastroenterology and how to set my patients up for success with their microbiome.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…it helps to show the gap in my education and allows me to prioritize seeing my patient holistically. I think the program helps to layer my osteopathic education in a very complementary way and I am learning a lot for my future patients.
Fun Fact: I am serving in the DO National Student Government, the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents, as our Legislative Affairs Representative! It affords me a lot of opportunities to advocate for the profession, patients, and our future osteopathic physicians.
Hayley Kmetz
University: University of South Florida
Major: Public Health
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Professional Interests/Goals: I would like to be involved in a career in health administration within a doctor’s office or hospital.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…rural and underserved communities often face many more health challenges, yet, do not have access to the same resources that more urban areas do. It is important to give back to this population, and provide as much assistance as we can, to improve the health outcomes of the individuals living there.
Fun Fact: I love to run, and I am always training for my next race.
Karen Loyd
University: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown: Frankfort, Kentucky
Professional Interests/Goals: Above all else, my goal is to feel like I’m making a difference for my future patients. I am open minded to future opportunities and hope to specialize to best serve the needs of my community.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…it provides a unique experience – experiential and didactic – with a focus on underserved populations that we don’t receive in traditional education programs. The AHEC Scholar program sets us up to be health professionals that are committed to addressing health disparities and truly improve the well-being of communities in the most need.
Fun Fact: I foster kittens and I unwind with sudoku puzzles.
Joelle Odin
University: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown: Syracuse, New York
Professional Interests/Goals: I plan to pursue a career as a clinical pharmacist in the inpatient setting, working with other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to provide direct patient care.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…it incorporates practical and didactic coursework that has expanded my understanding of cultural competence as well as my interdisciplinary teamwork skills. What I love most about this program is that it gave me an opportunity to educate younger students in the community about pharmacy. I hope this work helps inspire the next generation of health professionals!
Fun Fact: Before pharmacy school, I worked at a marine research laboratory and earned my master’s degree in the field of marine conservation.
Kesley Richardson
University: West Chester University (Pennsylvania)
Major: Public Administration
Hometown: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas USVI
Professional Interests/Goals: Teaching on the collegiate level and operating within the cross section of Emergency Management and Healthcare. Would love to consultant to improve systems and organizations.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because… it allows me to explore the healthcare applications to emergency management. This program helps connect me to other healthcare professionals in the field to brainstorm with.
Fun Fact: I played with the US Soccer U18 National team when I was a kid.
Monica Sawiris
University: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown: Minnesota
Professional Interests/Goals: My goal is to pursue a career as an oncology pharmacist and later take a role as a PGY2 residency director.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…AHEC Scholar program allowed me to work in an interdisciplinary team and provided different tools for me to succeed in providing exceptional patient care.
Fun Fact: I enjoy baking and learning about the specific chemical job of each ingredient.
Briana Williams
University: University of South Florida
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Professional Interests/Goals: I have a passion in serving under-served groups and going on mission trips. My goal is to work with the Indian Health Services upon graduation.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because…it allows other disciplines to see what we do as pharmacists and how we can help give better patient care as a team which leads to better outcomes.
Fun Fact: I have traveled to over 20 countries.
