ElevateMeD Scholar: Keleb Mehari

Meet Keleb Mehari

ElevateMeD Scholar 2025-26

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.

• Hometown: Matawan, New Jersey

• Medical Education: Howard University College of Medicine

• Undergraduate Education: University of Notre Dame in Science-Business

• Current Career Plan: My goal is to become an orthopaedic surgeon, specializing in either sports or trauma. I loved the continuity of care and teamwork in sports medicine, and I was drawn to the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of trauma. In the future, I also hope to teach anatomy and physiology, combining my passion for medicine and education.

• Specialty Interest: Orthopaedic Surgery

• I am most proud of my background and my family. What my parents, uncles, and aunts had to sacrifice to get me, my brothers, and cousins where we are today is something I’ll never forget. Their resilience, work ethic, and love laid the foundation for everything I’ve been able to achieve. Because of that, I’m proud of how close we all are. I try to uplift and mentor my family just like they’ve always done for me. We move together, and that’s everything to me.

• You might be surprised to know I’ve saved up and traveled to different places around the world to spend the valuable time I have with my brothers and cousins. Life moves fast so I try to make the most of it with them. My favorite trip so far has been to Norway. Hiking there was beautiful, and the views and peace of being out there with them are memories I will always cherish.

• ElevateMeD is… all about embracing the strength that comes from diversity in medicine. It’s a platform that values different perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds, knowing that each one adds something unique to the field. ElevateMeD is actively working to increase diversity in the physician workforce, which helps ensure that the care we provide truly reflects the communities we serve. When physicians can understand and relate to the diverse needs of patients, it leads to better care and outcomes. By prioritizing this diversity, ElevateMeD is helping close the gap in health disparities and shaping a future where all voices are heard and represented in medicine.