Kiana is a first-generation medical student from Mount Vernon, NY. Her journey to medical school was far from linear, involving full-time work, two post-baccalaureate programs, multiple MCAT retakes, and an initial rejection. However, Kiana remained steadfast, driven by her purpose: to serve medically underserved communities. Kiana discovered this passion during her time at the University of Connecticut, where she created an individualized major, The Black Experience and Health, and founded Minority Health Matters, a student organization focused on health inequality. Kiana’s personal experience with a congenital GI deformity has fueled her passion for gastroenterology, and she aims to reduce colon cancer rates and improve gut health in underserved communities.

Atikul Miah, born and raised in Queens, New York, cultivated a passion for community engagement and mentorship through his involvement in local initiatives. His interest in healthcare deepened while volunteering at Elmhurst Hospital, where he coordinated a successful fundraiser to support the local community during the pandemic. Now, as an M1 Senator at New York Medical College, Atikul is actively involved in promoting student well-being and advocacy. He also enjoys connecting with his community through his love of Knicks basketball, trying new foods, and exploring local thrift shops. Atikul aspires to continue advocating for inclusivity and equity within the medical field.

Estephanie is a first-generation Dominican-American medical student born and raised in New York. Coming from an immigrant family, Estephanie found her passion in understanding how the healthcare system navigates providing care for immigrant and other marginalized communities. As an undergraduate, Estephanie worked with Montefiore Einstein to help provide resources for underserved cancer patients in the Bronx. During her time there she saw how making patients feel culturally seen, understood and extending empathy made a huge difference in the quality of their care. This inspired Estephanie to pursue a career in medicine and she gained the opportunity to complete the AMSNY post-bac at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Estephanie is now a first-year medical student at SUNY Downstate and hopes to continue serving and learning from diverse communities.

Stephanie was born in the United States and spent much of her childhood in Abakpa, Nigeria, where she witnessed severe healthcare disparities that ignited her passion for addressing health inequities. Upon returning to the Bronx, New York, she encountered similar challenges, which reinforced her commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. As a member of the Bronx Community Health Leaders program, Stephanie worked directly with patients, gaining insights into common medical conditions and local resources that promote healthier lifestyles. These experiences highlighted the vital role of physician advocates in improving community health outcomes and solidified her dedication to becoming a physician committed to serving underserved communities. Additionally, Stephanie is passionate about mentorship and uses her skills in video production and editing to share health-related content and educate pre-medical students on medical school access and resources through social media platforms.

Shuma was born in Bangladesh and immigrated to New York City with her family when she was 12 years old. As a first-generation college student, Shuma is proud to be continuing her education at SUNY Downstate, where her passion for medicine was solidified. Her early experiences navigating healthcare challenges both in Bangladesh and after moving to the U.S. motivated her to pursue a career focused on addressing health disparities. Participating in the 2019 SPRINTER program at SUNY Downstate further deepened her commitment to advocating for underserved communities. As a future physician, Shuma looks forward to providing high-quality, culturally sensitive care and using her multilingual skills to bridge communication gaps for diverse patient populations.

Living in Harlem as the eldest child of Guinean immigrants, Fatoumata grew up witnessing how socio-economic factors affect health outcomes. The lack of physicians from similar backgrounds further discouraged community members from seeking medical care. These experiences sparked her commitment to addressing health disparities. Through work and volunteer efforts, Fatoumata has developed a strong ability to connect with diverse populations. Driven by a desire to improve healthcare access and outcomes in underserved communities, Fatoumata aspires to become a physician dedicated to making a meaningful social impact. Fatoumata is entering her first year at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Kelly was born and raised in Queens, NY, by a Colombian mother and Ecuadorian father who immigrated to the United States. During the first few years of her life, Kelly had a Latina pediatrician from the Dominican Republic who was an inspiring figure in her life and made her and her family feel comfortable and well taken care of during their visits, as she spoke their native language and was familiar with their culture. A few years later, Kelly moved to a different part of Queens with her mom, where she began to realize there were many disparities in medicine, as she no longer had a Latina or Spanish-speaking physician near her new home. These disparities in medicine motivated Kelly to become the first doctor in her family to give back to those from an underrepresented background. She is now a second-year medical student at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and a co-chair for the Latino Medical Student Association and Dermatology Interest Group. 

As a child of Haitian immigrants, Arielle witnessed firsthand the healthcare disparities faced by immigrant communities when her great aunt passed from metastatic breast cancer. During her undergraduate years, her commitment to medicine was reinforced through volunteer work as a doula, where she provided labor support and comfort techniques, strengthening her resolve to improve patient care. Arielle’s deep passion for women’s health inspired her to do research on the experiences of midwives serving Black mothers of boys. Her research uncovered the profound physiological impacts of structural racism and toxic stress and emphasized the urgent need for anti-racist, relationship-centered care. Fluent in Haitian Creole and Spanish, Arielle aims to be a physician who dismantles healthcare inequities, with a mission focused on improving access to care for all. Arielle is entering her first year at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.

Victor, a first-generation Nigerian immigrant raised in the Bronx, was motivated to pursue a career in medicine after losing a close friend to a heart condition in high school. As he progressed through his education, he became increasingly aware of the medical disparities that affect underserved communities, particularly those contributing to preventable health outcomes like cardiovascular and renal diseases. After earning his undergraduate degree, he completed a master’s in molecular and cellular physiology at Albany Medical College, where he gained a deeper understanding of the link between basic science research and clinical medicine. As a physician, Victor will use both his personal experiences and the skills he has developed to not only connect with patients, but to improve healthcare delivery in underserved communities. He is particularly focused on enhancing medical communication to empower patients to take a more active role in their care, fostering better health outcomes.

Latia’s journey to medicine is defined by her experiences as a first-generation college student, growing up in a minority, low-income neighborhood in the Bronx. Her formative years were deeply influenced by her great-grandmother who not only played a nurturing role, but also ignited her passion for medicine through imaginative doctor games. As her aspirations evolved, Latia transitioned from playful doctoring to a more serious pursuit of healthcare. Witnessing her grandmother’s illness progress highlighted the stark reality of healthcare limitations and spurred her determination to become a healer for families and communities like her own. Observing the glaring healthcare disparities between affluent neighborhoods of Manhattan and underserved communities in the Bronx, Latia’s determination to bridge the gap and advocate for quality healthcare was solidified, driving her ambition to serve and heal the underprivileged. Latia is entering her fourth year at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.

Alexa, the eldest daughter of immigrant parents, was raised in a small border town in the Texas Rio Grande Valley, one of the most medically underserved areas in the States. Inspired by her grandfather’s empathy and compassion toward his patients in Mexico, Alexa hopes to emulate these qualities as a future physician, recognizing the need for culturally sensitive physicians. Her passion for improving health in the Latino community was reaffirmed when she chose to attend medical school at New York Medical College. As the president of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) and the American Medical Association chapters, Alexa finds ways to engage local physicians and students to improve health disparities in underrepresented populations. Her dedication to improving lives through research, patient care and community service shines through her work with La Casita de la Salud, a student-run medical clinic in Harlem. After medical training, she hopes to mentor aspiring young physicians to bridge the gaps in medical care for underserved communities. Alexa is in her second year of medical school.

Nataly was born in Ecuador, a place where her upbringing in a collectivistic culture instilled in her a deep sense of community responsibility. This foundation, combined with her fascination of biology, led her on the path to becoming a physician. Eager to confirm her calling, she immersed herself in clinical settings early on and later took on a role as a medical scribe during her postcollege gap year. This experience broadened her clinical acumen, nurtured personal growth through interactions with colleagues and patients, and reinforced her understanding of the critical need for equitable healthcare access. During her time in the Medical Scholars Program at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Nataly found herself among like-minded peers from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds, united in their aspiration to enhance community health and promote equity in medicine. Nataly is now entering her first year at SUNY Upstate Medical University.