2022-2023 Fellows and Projects

Josephine Akingbulu
The School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University
Zambia: Rise Up! and HBCU Global Health Consortium

Josephine Akingbulu is implementing a year-long program that helps young professionals gain research experience and skills needed to address health disparities and work in the eradication of discrimination and stigmatization among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) living with HIV/AIDS. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health in Leadership and Management from The School of Community and Global Health at Claremont Graduate University.

Leandra Doan
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
ChapCare in Pasadena

Leandra Doan is creating patient-facing educational materials to promote digital literacy and teach patients how to utilize telehealth services. Her educational tool will help increase access to care for elderly patients and those who may lack reliable and safe sources of transportation. Leandra is pursuing a medical degree at Kaiser Permanente.

Daniel Mishail
UCLA School of Dentistry
Hope of the Valley

Daniel Mishail is partnering with Hope of the Valley to enroll tiny home residents into California’s MediCal Dental Program (DentiCal) and to create a sustainable carpooling system to the UCLA Dental Clinic for comprehensive dental and prosthodontic care. He is pursing a degree in dentistry at UCLA.

Alberto Ortega
Keck School of Medicine of USC
LAC+USC Medical Center

Alberto Ortega is working with patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) at LAC+USC Medical Center to improve quality of care. He is pursing a medical degree and a MBA at University of Southern California.

McKayla Poppens
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA & Charles R. Drew
King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science

McKayla Poppens is launching a youth education campaign to address sun safety and common skin conditions that contribute to bullying and poor mental wellbeing among adolescents. She is creating a comprehensive curriculum and teaching this in the high school setting. McKayla is pursuing a degree in medicine in the Charles R. Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program.

Karla Simmonds
Keck School of Medicine of USC
TrueLa Church

Karla Simmonds is working to within the African American community to create and implement health literacy initiatives which are focused on CPR training, health and wellness issues, health crisis management, and nutrition. She is pursuing a Masters in Public Health at USC.