ElevateMeD Announcements and Updates
Early this year, I attended the memorial service for Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., one of this country’s all-time great medical educators. Dr. Leffall was a cancer surgeon who was an inspiration to the more than 6,300 medical students, residents, and fellows he taught during his illustrious career. Being in his presence always elicited feelings of awe and profound respect.
Read MoreI had the most incredible experience as the medical director for the Undergraduate Plummer Scholars program at Mayo Clinic. We built a summer program with the exact resources that I wished I had access to as a rising junior in college. During this week I was exhausted by all that I had to give and share with these 8 brilliant students. What I did not anticipate, was the awe inspiring energy they would return such that my cup runneth over.
Read MoreFrom a young age, I felt I was one of a kind. I was one of 2 latinas in honors classes in high school at a predominantly latinx community. The first latina to graduate as valedictorian after a 10 year span.
Read MoreI began my education at Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM) in the summer of 1998. Being at one of the nation’s most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) with a reputation of producing the largest number of Black/African-American physicians in the country, I instantly felt at home at an institution designed for my success.
Read MoreIn my professional life, I am frequently the only black person in the room. The exam room, the workroom, the conference room, the coffee room, and the lecture room. I’ve become accustomed to the heaviness of this fact though never forget that I am in these spaces because of the sacrifices of others before me.
This letter touched me and forced me to remember…
Fatumastar Adan believes that health care should be rooted in dignity, equity, and accountability. That it should be afforded to all and not just reserved for the few.
Mariah Taylor shares what inspires her pursuit of interventional cardiology and the impact she hopes to make through medicine.
Chioma Aneke is a future doctor who understands the importance of compassion, empathy, cultural competency and advocacy. She shares just how early experiences shaped her commitment to advancing health care equity.
GaResia Woods is focused on being there when it matters. Working with students in communities who were navigating systems that essentially weren't built for them helped her realize the impact she could make as a physician working to minimize the gaps in health care.
Ashley Nmoh is driven by a commitment to improving health outcomes for children and families. Her experiences have inspired a passion for community-centered care, public health leadership, and creating lasting change for communities that have historically faced barriers to healthcare access.
Desai Oula is passionate about expanding access to vision care while inspiring the next generation of students to enter the healthcare field.
Launched on May 13, 2019, ElevateMeD s proud to announce the 2026-27 Scholars Program cohort. This year's cohort of exceptional medical students represents 37 Scholars across our expanding Scholars Program, reflecting continued growth and expanded access nationwide. This announcement also marks the seventh anniversary of ElevateMeD and its ongoing dedication to supporting future physician leaders.
Aly Toure was shaped by his upbringing in Mali, where he witnessed family members struggle with treatable conditions due to limited healthcare infrastructure.
Naomi Coles was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after witnessing loved ones battle illnesses like cancer and heart disease. These experiences opened her eyes to the importance of access, awareness, and quality care across communities.
Our partnership with LocumTenens.com reflects a shared commitment to investing in the next generation of physician leaders. Since 2024, their support has helped ElevateMeD create meaningful opportunities for Scholars to learn, connect, and grow throughout their medical education journeys and beyond.
Through its support of the ElevateMeD Scholars Program, Zimmer Biomet is helping medical students access financial assistance, mentorship, leadership development opportunities, and the resources needed to thrive throughout their medical education journey.
We are proud to recognize Truist as a major sponsor of Ignite Atlanta 2026 and a valued partner in advancing our mission to support the next generation of physician leaders. From financial wellness trainings for our Scholars to partnering in community events, Truist continues to stand with us.
Dr. David and Betty Gullen are dedicated supporters of ElevateMeD whose partnership plays a critical role in strengthening the foundation of the ElevateMeD Scholars Program.
Lisa Cagnolatti, on behalf of her husband Ed and The Cagnolatti Daniels Family Foundation, underscored the urgent need for culturally competent care and the critical importance of supporting ElevateMeD’s mission.
What does The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation and #ElevateMeD have in common? A commitment to HEALTH EQUITY!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Health Care Disparities and the Latinx Population (Read Article)
Latinas in Motion Impacting the Sports Industry (Read Article)
Jeff joined ElevateMeD in February 2025 from Columbia, South Carolina bringing infectious passion, proven leadership, and decades of successful nonprofit leadership.
Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…
Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…
Please join us in welcoming our newest Board Member…
Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…
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!
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.
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.
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.
Our 2025 Impact Report reflects a year defined by growth, momentum, and expanded pathways across the journey to becoming a physician. From program expansion to deeper engagement with Scholars and partners, this report highlights how ElevateMeD continues to evolve to meet the needs of future physician leaders.
As you flip through the pages of our 2024 impact report, we hope that you are filled with the hope and encouragement we carry about the future of medicine. Together we can work towards medical workforce which can accurately reflect not only medical leaders, but communities they serve.
As you turn the pages of our 2023 Impact report you will experience the power of the collective supporting, encouraging, and reshaping the future of medicine. We are grateful for all of you who joined the movement in 2023 and made transformation possible!
Yezan "iPod" Hassan shares how his background as a refugee and early experiences in Detroit shaped his mission to pursue medicine domestically and globally