ElevateMeD Scholar: Czarina Retana

Meet Czarina Retana

ElevateMeD Scholar 2025-26

Czarina Retana's journey to medicine was faced by many hardships in her community, ranging from economic challenges to lack of equal care. This developed her commitment to serve and desire to be present for patients during their most difficult moments by providing compassion and an open ear.

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Medical Education: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Undergraduate Education: University of Arizona in Molecular and Cellular Biology / Physiology
Current Career Plan: Pursue a career in OB/GYN in addition to being an active member in outreach programs/efforts.
Specialty Interest: OB/GYN
I am most proud of my family, where I come from.
You might be surprised to know that I am a dog-mom to two beautiful pups, Brady and Max.
ElevateMeD is… continuing the cycle of mentorship that shapes me. This opportunity empowers me to move forward with confidence, knowing I have the guidance and support to make the most of the next phase of my career.

Other ElevateMeD Scholars

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News Spotlights

Scholar Spotlights

News

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

ElevateMeD Scholar: Czarina Retana

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

ElevateMeD Scholar: Chikodi Ohaya

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

Chikodi Ohaya is inspired by her mother's acts of kindness and her resilience and how dermatology serves as an avenue for change in burn care across community, clinics, and classrooms.

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Adam Brown

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Adam Brown discovered medicine as a transformative force, shaping every aspect of his life through the mission of serving others in need. With that force came the honor of stepping into a leadership role within his community.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Elizette Rodriguez

Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Elizette Rodriguez discovered her passion for OB/GYN from the first time she stepped into the delivery room. The power of supporting a woman in her most vulnerable and meaningful moments has assured Elizette of the lasting impact she can make.

Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

University of Illinois College of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Jessica Norman

University of Illinois College of Medicine

Jessica Norman reflects on the driving motivator that led her to medicine, shedding light on essential characteristics that every doctor needs—listening skills and empathy.

University of Illinois College of Medicine

Wayne State University School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Ariel Walker

Wayne State University School of Medicine

Ariel Walker witnessed her father suffer a stroke that ultimately ignited her "lifelong passion for the brain" in neurosurgery. Through the skillsets of precision and versatility, Ariel is challenged yet thrilled to approach every patient with the goal of their healing in real time.

Wayne State University School of Medicine

University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville

ElevateMeD Scholar: Ruth Amaku

University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville

Ruth Amaku has found purpose in medicine from her own journey in sports. She believed that her journey exposed the importance of general wellness, and looks forward to applying this in her future journey as a sports medicine physician.

University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville

Howard University Colleg of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Keleb Mehari

Howard University Colleg of Medicine

Keleb Mehari believes that his journey through medicine is about healing and being a source of great emotional understanding for his patients, driven by his own experiences and injuries. To Keleb, being a healer is not just an approach, but a general embodiment.

Howard University Colleg of Medicine

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Celebrates 6th Anniversary & Announces 2025 Scholarship Award Winners

ElevateMeD

Launched on May 13, 2019, ElevateMeD s proud to announce the 2025-26 Scholars Program cohort. This year's cohort of exceptional medical students represents the future of medicine and embodies the organization's commitment to fostering a healthcare landscape that assures equitable health outcomes for all. This announcement also marks the sixth anniversary of ElevateMeD and its ongoing dedication to supporting future physician leaders.

ElevateMeD

Emory Univeristy School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Sydni Williams

Emory Univeristy School of Medicine

Sydni Williams plans to advocate for the patients of marginalized identity who present to the emergency department (ED) to receive care. The ED is many of these patient’s first interface with the healthcare system and she’s eager to serve as an ally for these patients.

Emory Univeristy School of Medicine

Donor Spotlights

News

The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation Partners with ElevateMeD

What does The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation and #ElevateMeD have in common? A commitment to HEALTH EQUITY!

"The Many" of Mayo Clinic

Watch remarks from Mayo Clinic CEO in Arizona, Dr. Richard Gray shared remarks this year and was introduced by 2024-25 ElevateMeD Scholar and 4th year Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine medical student, Casey Martinez.

How Student Organizations Like @OhioAMSA Help Support ElevateMeD

Student organizations like Ohio University American Medical Student Association help us engage bright minds and expand our reach. These organizations are filled with future physicians who will become leaders, thinkers, and doers. We must not only look for ways to partner with these student organizations but also continue to encourage and support them along their physician journey.

Why Council & Associates Gives.

Each year since 2019, Council and Associates LLC has risen to the occasion to become an event sponsor for our Explosion of a Dream and Ignite Atlanta scholarship events. We asked owner, Lashonda Council-Rogers, Esq., to share the why behind her generous giving and to give a view of what she experiences attending ElevateMeD events as a sponsor.

Walton Isaacson Helps ElevateMeD Support The Future of Medicine

Founded in 2006, Walton Isaacson is one of the most respected advertising agencies in the world, having worked with clients such as Lexus, McDonalds, and Amazon to name a few.

Love, Tito’s Continues Support of ElevateMeD Mission During Black History Month

Thank you #LoveTitos for continuing to support our mission and acknowledging the work that we are doing to elevate the field of medicine!

All Medical Personnel donates over $43,000 to ElevateMeD

All Medical Personnel’s partnership with ElevateMeD continues with a generous donation of $43,000 in 2022. In 2021, $52,647 was raised totaling over $95,000 for the past two years.

Bayless Commitment to Mental Health Scholarship

As part of a two-year pledge to ElevateMeD, this special scholarship is awarded to ElevateMeD Scholars who present a desire to pursue a medical career that will impact mental health in communities of color.

Inspire Youth Enrichment Foundation Grants $50K to ElevateMeD Scholar

In 2019, our organization was introduced to Dr. Timothy Gooding and Mrs. Alisa Gooding, two of the co-founders of Arizona based nonprofit Inspire Youth Enrichment Foundation.

Couple Fundraises for Nonprofit Through Registry in Lieu of Wedding Gifts

The generosity of ElevateMeD Mentor Dr. Louise Yeung and her husband has truly shown us how together we can give in creative ways!

RICARDO CORREA, MD, EDD, FACP, FACE, FACMQ

Health Care Disparities and the Latinx Population (Read Article)

MARISSA VASQUEZ, MD, MBA

Latinas in Motion Impacting the Sports Industry (Read Article)

News

ElevateMeD

Passion Proven Leadership at ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD

Jeff joined ElevateMeD in February 2025 from Columbia, South Carolina bringing infectious passion, proven leadership, and decades of successful nonprofit leadership.

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Three New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Four New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Our Newest Board Member Dr. Jeshenna Watkins

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Board Member…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Four New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

Keiona Eady

Congratulations to our Advisory Board Members on #Match2022!

Keiona Eady

Congratulations are in order for our Advisory Board Members Sophia Ederaine and Johanny Lopez Dominguez! We were honored to celebrate with them this #MatchDay2022, as they both learned about their residency upon graduation this Spring!

Keiona Eady

Alyx Porter Umphrey, MD, FAAN

Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey Receives the 2020 Dean's Diversity/Inclusion Award at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Alyx Porter Umphrey, MD, FAAN

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

It was not easy for me

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

I decided to join the Board of Directors for ElevateMeD because it aligns with my core value of inclusion. The literature showed that to provide the best healthcare to our patients, we need to understand their culture, speak their language, among other factors.

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

The time to transform healthcare is now!

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

Healthcare is my ministry. It is a calling and my inroad to impact social change. I firmly believe that any disparity within our industry serves as a microcosm for injustices that continue to plague society-at-large. I am on a mission to truly transform healthcare and looking to partner with anyone that shares the same mindset.

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS

You can't be what you can't see.

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS

I chose to pursue a career in anesthesiology because I enjoy moment-to-moment decision making as well as the practical application of physiology and pharmacology. 3% of anesthesiologists are reported to identify as Black/African-American. Of those 3%, the majority are women.

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS