Allison Hare (she · her · hers)
Hey, I’m Allison. After growing up outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I majored in psychology and developed an affinity for public service. While in medical school, I’ve coupled this affinity with my interest in healthcare innovation to work on projects that improve the way the electronic medical record helps clinicians care for under-resourced patients. I’m planning to apply into internal medicine after completing a year-long clinical informatics fellowship with the Office of the CMIO and Center for Healthcare Innovation at Penn. Outside of medicine, I enjoy long-distance running, playing the cello, dog-sitting, and splurging on overpriced espresso drinks.
Alexis Chaet-López (she · her · hers)
Hello! My name is Alexis. I graduated from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville (GO HOOS!!!) where I studied human biology. Before coming to medical school, I worked in Mexico at a clinic providing care for children born with cleft lip and palate through an international NGO. At Penn, I have discovered my passion for women’s health and have begun to shape a career working in Ob/Gyn within underserved communities in the US and Latin America. Outside of the clinic you will find me cycling past cow herds on country roads or watching the next Disney live-action remake with my ten roommates! In the upcoming year, I am excited to do more narrative writing and to work alongside an incredible team at the Center for Healthcare Innovation to bridge barriers to care for new mothers using technology.
Andrea Yeguez (she · her · hers )
Hi, I'm Andrea! I'm an MS4 applying into urology this year. I was born in the beautiful Caracas, Venezuela and grew up in Miami, Fl. I studied Neurobiology with a minor in Art at Georgetown University and graduated in 2017. I've enjoyed being involved in LMSA, volunteering at Puentes de Salud, and getting to participate in some awesome art initiatives during my time at Penn. Outside of medical school I enjoy spending time with loved ones (including my pup, Mia), trying new restaurants, painting, and traveling. This year I'm hoping to stay connected with my friends and family, and I'm looking forward to seeing where all of my awesome classmates end up!
Bradford Bormann (he · him · his)
I am absolutely honored to be a 2019 GHHS inductee! It can be difficult to nurture compassion for patients and peers through the rigors of medical school, and these individuals have stood as inspiring examples of love even when they had little energy to love with. I graduated from Lafayette College in 2014 as a Biology Major with a minor in English. From 2014-2016, I taught various science courses at UPLIFT Academy, a public high school in Newark serving students who had encountered significant social and academic hardship during their teens. In August 2016, I matriculated at Perelman, where I have served as a volunteer and Education Coordinator for the University City Hospitality Coalition, a student-run health clinic serving people experiencing homelessness in West Philly, as well as a Preclinical Course Representative. I will be applying to general surgery residency programs in September. In the coming year, I will try to rely less on external accomplishments, and more on internal feelings of balance and peace, as my source of happiness.
Brenna Lilley (she · her · hers )
Hi, my name’s Brenna! I’m originally from Woodbridge, CT, and went to undergrad at Haverford College where I studied Biology, Biochemistry, and Psychology. I worked at CHOP for two years doing research in Genetics before starting med school. Over the past few years, I have been involved in CHOP’s Homeless Health Initiative, the Bridging the Gaps community health internship program, and the Social Needs Response Team. I’m also very excited to now be a student preceptor for the Doctoring 1A course. My current research interest is investigating how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted medical oncology care, specifically in the realm of Gyn/Onc. I’ll be applying into Internal Medicine this Fall and am leaning towards a career in critical care or hospitalist general medicine, or whatever subspecialty piques my interest down the road. Outside of school, I love to hike, play soccer, snuggle with my cat, Chloe, and enjoy my West Philly neighborhood.
Cheyenne Williams (she · her · hers)
Hi, I’m Cheyenne! I grew up in Northern Virginia and studied Biology at the College of William and Mary. Since coming to medical school, I have enjoyed getting involved in the Penn community through participating in the Diversity and Inclusion Student Advisory Committee (DISAC), SNMA, and Penn FGLI (First-Generation, Low-Income student affinity group). I’ve also had the opportunity to engage with amazing students throughout Philadelphia public schools as a high-school tutor and sexual health educator. Professionally, I am pursuing a career in Urology and hope to utilize my certificates in Medical Education and Academic Surgery in my career. I look forward to working on projects that increase access to professional schools for underrepresented and first-generation students while promoting an inclusive medical school community. Outside of school, I enjoy playing tennis, being outdoors, laughing at puns, and spending time with my puppy, Penny!
Eden Engel-Rebitzer (she · her · hers )
Hi there! I’m Eden and I grew up in Northeast Ohio and Boston, MA. I went to Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT where I majored in psychology. After college I spent a few years studying post-combat mental health outcomes and racial disparities in VA disability claims as a research assistant at the National Center for PTSD. From there, I completed a post-bacc at Tufts University and then worked as a barista while I applied to medical school. At Penn, I’ve been involved in research focused on health services and healthcare disparities and I am currently taking a research year out to pursue those interests! I have also been involved in medical education and community outreach projects, including, most recently, a COVID-relief project to deliver groceries to medically-complex, homebound patients. In my free time I love to cook, eat, and hang with my sweet dog, Manchas!
Ellena Popova (they • them • theirs )
Hi, I'm Ellena! I'm originally from the DC area, and I grew up splitting time between the US and Bulgaria, where all of my extended family lives. I went to undergrad at MIT and came straight through to medical school. Over the last 4 years, I've been heavily involved in local and national legislative advocacy through the American Medical Association, and more directly served the local Philly community through my Bridging the Gaps internship & volunteering with Project SAFE and Puentes de Salud. I'm applying into IM, hoping to become a primary care doctor with a focus on urban under-served communities, queer and especially trans health, and substance use. Outside the hospital, you'll find me watching musical theater, attending socially distanced dance classes, and singing with Philly Voices of Pride.
Hatem Abdallah (he · him · his)
Hello I am Hatem! I am an MS4 applying into internal medicine. Originally from Egypt, I grew up in Cairo and in various other cities around the Middle East. I moved to the US for college at NYU and have remained here since. I am interested in a wide range of things from translational research, to community work and public health, particularly for historically disenfranchised patients. I have been involved with our community clinics and our community outreach leadership here at Penn; I have also dedicated much of my research time to investigate not only clinical medicine, but also social determinants of health. My clinical interests are as yet unclear, but I am leaning towards a career in critical and palliative care, with some elements of pulmonology or cardiology, depending where I find myself gravitating. I love to cook, read, and eat (and drink)! I enjoy writing, both fiction and nonfiction, and doing crosswords.
Jake Goldenring (he · him · his)
Hi! I'm Jake. I grew up in Florham Park, NJ before heading up to the idyllic Berkshires for college at Williams where I studied Astrophysics and Economics and captained the varsity golf team. I then began a career in economic consulting in Boston only to realize that I was really being sustained by my early morning volunteer shifts at a local hospital and not by my day job. Several years, a post-bacc program at Bryn Mawr College later, and I find myself incredibly lucky to be at Penn gearing up to apply into Emergency Medicine. When not in the hospital, you can find me somewhere between the golf course, the mountains, the surf lineup, or spending time with my friends and family. I feel profoundly lucky to live the life that I do and I hope to help the GHHS group spread luck to many others!
Jen Wineke (she • her • hers )
Hi, I’m Jen! I grew up outside of New Orleans and went to Pomona College in Claremont, CA, where I studied English and art. After graduating in 2010, I lived in Prague, Boston, and Los Angeles and worked as a travel copywriter before completing my post-bacc at Johns Hopkins in 2016. As a medical student, I’ve worked on HIV policy work in Geneva, helped manage a teen sexual health blog, and worked as a clinic coordinator for Covenant House, a shelter for adolescents experiencing homelessness. I’m also working toward my Masters in Bioethics. I’m interested in the intersection of psychiatry, bioethics, adolescent health, gender/sexuality, and mindfulness. My intentions this year are to write and create more (you can see some stuff I’ve made over at jenwineke.com), get into a groove with meditation, and send more handwritten notes in the mail.
Jeremy Jones (he · him · his)
Howdy! My name is Jeremy and I'm an MS4 applying into Pediatrics. I'm originally from outside Tallahassee, FL and went to the University of Virginia for undergrad, where I studied Biology and Public Policy & Leadership. I have a strong interest in health policy and worked for the Senate before coming here for medical school! At Penn, I've been heavily involved in the community, particularly student leadership efforts, serving as President for Medical Student Government and founding our chapter of the Organization of Student Representatives to the AAMC. Ultimately, I hope to pursue a career in Peds EM or primary care, with a focus on medical education and exploring innovative solutions to current challenges regarding access to care. Outside of medicine, I enjoy concocting new recipes (sometimes a hit, sometimes pure disaster), hiking, escaping the city on long bike rides, and trying new board games with friends.
Jeremy Wortzel (he · him · his)
Hi! My name is Jeremy and I’m an MS4 planning for a career in psychiatry with the goal to work with a child and adolescent population. I had a winding path to medicine that started with studying geology and biology at Brown University. There, I worked with non-profits and the local government to help improve the state of healthy and sustainable housing for low-income and immigrant families. I then started at Perelman after a pit stop in England to learn about clinical research. With a passion for social justice and environmental health, I worked at the Covenant House Clinic and conducted research on socioeconomic disparity and asbestos exposure with the Center for Excellence in Environmental Toxicology. Next year I will pursue an MPH to better hone my interests at the intersection of toxic environmental stress, trauma, and pediatric development. Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing my guitar around various campfires across America’s national parks, running along the Schuylkill bike trail, and playing board games with friends. This year, I am trying to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.
Joia Brosco (she • her • hers )
Hello hello, I’m Joia! I grew up in the sweet islands of Trinidad and Tobago and moved to Philly as an eighteen year old, college bound for UPenn. I completed my studies in Public Health and then escaped the winters to return to T&T. Back home I worked on my family’s farm, sewed for Carnival costume production, and taught part-time, all before returning once again to Philly for medical school. Here I’ve been happy to serve as an advocate for Students Opposing Racism in Medicine (StORM), a yoga instructor for Penn Med Yoga and a coordinator/enthused participant for Dance for Health, a community dance class. As a current MS4, I am applying into Emergency Medicine, with plans to move back home to work through the challenges of the lower resourced public health system. Outside the hospital, you can find me frolicking in my vegetable garden shooing away squirrels, playing cricket with my husband or watching the day go by from our West Philly stoop.
Joshua Bram (he • him • his)
Hello, my name is Josh! I'm an MS4 originally from State College, PA who graduated from Penn State with degrees in Biology and Immunology/Infectious Disease. At Penn, I have enjoyed being involved in the Leo Leung Orthopedic Surgery Society, UCHC clinic, Morgan House Council, and pediatric orthopedics research. I am planning to apply into Orthopedic Surgery, but I'll first being taking a year off to do the Ben Fox Fellowship at CHOP in the Division of Orthopedics. Outside of the classroom, I love soccer, cooking, and hiking. My main goals for the next year are to explore more of the Philadelphia food scene and get back into reading books for fun!
Olivia Familusi (she · her · hers )
I'm Olivia, a current year out medical student in the Masters of Science in Health Policy Program. I am originally from Long Island, New York by way of Nigeria and Jamaica. I graduated from Tufts University in 2017, where I studied Anthropology and Biology. During medical school, I have had the opportunity to connect with communities that I care deeply about through volunteering at Covenant House, Cut Hypertension, and the Social Needs Response Team. I have loved being a part of a community of health equity advocates here at Penn through Students Opposing Racism in Medicine (StORM) and Student National Medical Association (SNMA). After my year out, I plan to pursue a career in Urology (or maybe Peds?). In my free time, I enjoy cooking, analyzing music, and sleeping. My goal for this year is to use my research to advocate for health equity!
Nati Fessehaie (he · him · his)
Hello! My name is Nati, and I am currently an MS4 applying into internal medicine. My family is originally from Eritrea, but I grew up in the Hampton Roads region in Southeast Virginia. I graduated from Virginia Tech in 2016 where I majored in Biochemistry and Biology. At Penn, my work focuses on global health, health care disparities and mentorship for undergraduate students interested in medicine. Outside of medicine, I love to play basketball, explore different restaurants in Philadelphia, and travel to different countries around the world.
Neil Luu (he · him · his)
Born in Germany, I moved to the states at a young age and primarily grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. I made my way out west for college when I attended Stanford University where I studied Economics. My professional career started in finance and tech before I developed an interest in medicine. I went on to complete my post-baccalaureate studies at Bryn Mawr College before matriculating to Penn for medical school. As a current MS4, I am getting ready to apply into Otolaryngology. Outside of school and work, I prioritize spending as much as time as possible with friends and family. I'm also an avid hip-hop dancer and try to get into the studio as much as I can!
Randy Burson (he • him • his)
Hey there! My name’s Randy. I'm an MD-PhD student studying anthropology and health services research. Originally from New Mexico, I moved to the Philly area to attend Swarthmore College where I studied Biology and Anthropology. In medical school, I was a recruitment chair for the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) and a member of Penn Med Pride and Students Opposing Racism in Medicine (StORM); I also volunteered with Puentes de Salud and the Penn Homeless Outreach Project (HOP). Clinically, I’m interested in emergency medicine, critical care/trauma, and social medicine. Research wise, I’m interested in building more equitable and human-centered health systems by studying how health policy and scientific evidence are translated into medical practice in the US and Latin America. Outside of medical school, I love cooking, eating my way through Philly’s amazing food scene, gardening, and pottery.
Sara Rendell (she · her · hers)
Hi! I am an MD/PhD candidate planning to go into internal medicine. My PhD work is in medical anthropology, and I study inequality and health care, particularly the lives, family ties, and health of immigrants and refugees. I also do some consulting for the World Health Organization in the area of maternal and child health and maternal immunization. I love in-person conversation, writing and reading poetry, movies and running/cycling.
Sebastian Gualy (he · him · el)
Hi there! My name is Sebastián Gualy and I am originally from Houston, Texas by way of Mexico and Colombia. I started my journey in medicine by translating a charity clinic in my hometown serving undocumented and underinsured patients. I graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX before making it to Penn for medical school. In medical school, I was one of the recruitment chairs for the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), and co-chair of the Penn Med Christian Fellowship (PMCF) and Penn Global Surgery Group (PGSG). I also spent time with the South Philly community through Puentes de Salud and adolescents at Covenant House. I will be applying into pediatrics, with the hopes of building longitudinal relationships with families in both English and Spanish. Outside of medical school, I love cooking, making bread, playing board games, cheering for Chelsea FC, and spending time with my beautiful wife Hannah (a future pediatric NP), and our dog Astro.
Sophia Yapalater (she · her · hers · they · them · their )
Hi, I'm Sophia! I grew up in New York City and went to Oberlin College, where I majored in Comparative American Studies. After graduating in 2013, I took a winding path of teaching in a small town in Turkey, working for the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project, negotiating clerical employee contracts as a union representative, and doing harm reduction counseling at my local needle exchange before realizing that I wanted to go to medical school. While at PSOM I’ve had the privilege of being involved with the community clinics, student government (shout out to my amazing class co-chair and fellow GHHS member, Jay!), reproductive health research, and most recently, a virtual visitation program to facilitate family-centered care during COVID visitation restrictions. Clinically, I’m interested in complex medical decision making and social medicine. When I’m not in the hospital, you can find me hanging out with my dog, trying/failing to grow plants on my windowsill, and evaluating the merits of various chocolate chip cookie recipes.
Vivek Nimgaonkar (he · him · his)
Hi, my name is Vivek Nimgaonkar! I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and went to Penn for undergrad, where I was in the Vagelos LSM Program studying biology in the College and business at Wharton. Before coming to medical school, I worked for a year in Celeste Simon's lab working in the field of cancer cell metabolism. While in medical school, I've gotten involved with UCHC, the Gawannabes Medical Writing group, the Healthcare Sustainability Group, and a team of medical and engineering students working on developing a low-cost cervical cancer screening device. Outside of school, I love tennis and have remained a member of Penn’s Club Tennis Team! This year, I’m taking a year off of medical school to do a fellowship with Penn’s Center for Precision Medicine, where I am working on a COVID-19 focused project. I can’t wait to work with the GHHS group over the coming year!
Whitney Orji (she • her • hers)
I'm an MS4 originally from just outside Austin, Texas. Before moving north, I majored in bioengineering and minored in global health technologies at Rice University in Houston, Texas. In med school, I have been involved with Students Opposing Racism in Medicine (StORM), diversity recruitment via SNMA, and was a Covenant House coordinator. I am broadly interested in global public health, especially global surgery and maternal child health. After a year out, I plan to apply into ob-gyn or general surgery. Outside of school, I love travelling, music, reading, and cooking Nigerian food and hope to enjoy those things more in the coming year, in addition to re-engaging with the Philadelphia community outside of Penn.