David S. Markenson, M.D., M.B.A.
U.S.A., Dr.P.H Health Policy and Management "2023-2026"
Dr. Markenson received his M.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and his M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is the director of the Center for Disaster Medicine at NYMC, which he co-founded in 2005, and a Professor of Public Health. He is the deputy editor-in-chief for Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness Journal. He serves as senior advisor and former chair of the Scientific Advisory Council for the American Red Cross. Dr. Markenson was the vice president of graduate medical education for the Continental, Mid-America, and Mountain Divisions at Hospital Corporation of America Physician Services Group. His career has been dedicated to general pediatrics, improving health system quality, pediatric care approaches, disaster medicine, and advancing EMS and emergency medicine. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Emergency Medicine, the College of Critical Care Medicine and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has been the PI of multiple federal, state, and local grants. He gave more than 250 presentations nationally and abroad.
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Jasmine N. Sancho, M.P.H 
U.S.A., Dr.P.H, Health Policy and Management "2023-2027"
Jasmine Sancho received her bachelor’s in accounting with a minor in Public Health from Xavier University of Louisiana. She obtained her MPH with a concentration in health equity from Xavier University of Louisiana as well. She is a doula with a certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.She previously worked for Louisiana Department of Public Health as a Quality Assurance Coordinator where she supported the regional schools, and daycares to enroll them with vaccine access through data collection systems. During her time as a graduate student, she worked for the CDC Foundation as an Administrative Support Specialist. She co-created a healthy equity workspace to provide resources, tools, and activities for the department to practice health equity with external and internal partners. In addition, maintaining a contact database with 351 cities and towns. She works as a project associate with Community Organization Relief Effect (CORE) in New Orleans. Traveling through the greater New Orleans area provides free COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and supplies to different communities. After finishing her DrPH program with NYMC, she plans on improving the statistics on maternal and child health of black women by providing resources, education, and centers for them.
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Kadija Ceesay, M.P.H. 
NY, U.S.A., Dr.P.H., Health Policy and Management "2023-2027"
Kadija Ceesay has a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from Lehman College and Master of Public Health in Health Management from New York University. Kadija is working as a Program Manager. she has a published article in the NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters titled "Cynthia Martinez and Kadija Ceesay's Tornado Response Plan for Hunter College". Kadija has joined the Dr.P.H. program because she wants to consolidate her knowledge of the health outcomes within her community. She wants as well to help combating misconceptions and to help people gaining better access to health care. She is also interested in having an academic career.
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Kenneth Paneto, B.S., M.Sc. 
CA, USA, Dr.P.H., Health Policy and Management
"2023-2025"
Kenneth Paneto has obtained a B.S. in Health Science "Epidemiology", and an M.Sc. in Emergency Management. Kenneth's experience in New York City's Health and Hospitals Corporation as a Director of Emergency Management and as a Regional Coordinator for the CDC foster his abilities in mitigating risks, promoting efficiency within health departments, providing practical guidance in emergency response and preparedness, and playing a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of professionals, especially with his strong record in mentoring and teaching. His commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), and his effort to ensure that educational opportunities are accessible to all his students has encouraged him to join the Dr.P.H. program to be a more refined version of himself and to apply the knowledge he gained from his master’s of emergency management and the Dr.P.H. program for a better Public Health.
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Kweku Amoo, B.S., M.P.H. 
Dr.P.H., Health Policy and Management "2023-2026"
Kweku Amoo got his B.S. in Chemistry from CUNY Lehman College, and his M.P.H. from CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy.
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Mallika K. Singh, B. Tech., M.S. 
Mumbai, India, Dr.P.H., Health Policy and Management "2023-2026"
Mallika Singh has a Bachelor degree in biotechnology (B.Tech), from D.Y Patil University, Mumbai, India,"2009-2013" and a Master’s in biotechnology (Emphasis in Stem Cell Technology and Project Management), California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI), California, "2013- 2015". She worked as the Global Head for Clinical Operations, Sr. Manager at Regeneron, Tarrytown, NY August 2020-August 2022. She aspires to expand her leadership skills through the Dr.P.H. program, focusing on promoting diversity and inclusion, and exploring AI integration in clinical trials. She aims to initiate changes, and shape policies to foster patient inclusivity in clinical research.
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Rosa O. Rodriguez, M.P.H., C.A.S.A.C. 
U.S.A., Dr.P.H., Health Policy and Management "2023-2027"
Rosa Rodriguez received her bachelor's degree at City College of New York in Economics "Management and Administration". She received her M.P.H in Public Health "Behavioral Science and Health Promotion with an advanced certificate in Global health". Currently Rosa Rodriguez works for Montefiore Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Substance Abuse. She has been working there for 19 years, having worked in different capacities. She also worked for NYS-DOH during COVID-19 pandemic, covering seven counties including Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange County, with their contact tracing initiatives. Ms. Rodriguez serves on the Board of Governors for Arc-NY, and is part of the Executive Committee serving as the Senior Regional Vice President. She also serves as a Board member for Arc Westchester. She is working with Arc-NY on their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative. She joined the Dr.P.H. program to fulfill her interest in advancing her graduate studies as she wants to direct her efforts into the fields of Bioethics and Human Health Rights.
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Temitope J. Kayode, Dr., M.P.H.,M.B.B.S.,D.R.H.,D.H.A.
Lagos, Nigeria, Dr.P.H., Health Policy and Management
"2023-2026"
Temitope Kayode is a medical doctor and public health professional with over 15 years work experience. She holds an M.P.H. from University of Wolverhampton, UK, and two diplomas in Sexual and Reproductive Health (DRH), and in Humanitarian Assistance (DHA) from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). She has led the development of numerous policy and strategic documents, and operational plans in the intervention areas of Malaria, and other infectious diseases, and maternal and child health. Tomitope Kayode research interests are health services research, financing, health policy, heath equity, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and vulnerable population in LMICs and in high income countries. She is a Women innovator and Leadership Development (WILD) network fellow, a board member of Smile Train Young Leadership Circle, a member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the American Public Health Association (APHA). She enrolled in the Dr.P.H. program to gain expertise in Public health, develop leadership and research skills, and advance her career with a focus on improving the health of vulnerable populations.
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Jonquil Dent, M.P.H. CHES
Jonquil Dent is a policy research fellow with the CDC, National Center for Environmental Health, where she is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic communications projects. Prior to joining the CDC, Jonquil served as a Grant and Program Manager overseeing a multimillion-dollar grants portfolio. She has experience in the environmental health arena, particularly focused on lead hazard control and prevention, brownfield site reduction, and the adverse health effects of environmental exposures. Jonquil received her Bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice and Sociology with a minor in Biology from Howard University. She pursued her graduate studies at The Mississippi University for Women earning a Master's degree in Public Health with a Health Education concentration. Jonquil is a nationally Certified Health Education Specialist with research interests in health policy, health equity, and health disparities - particularly with a focus on the impact of social and political determinants of health on policy implementation.
Azzam Althomali, M.P.H. '22
Azzam Althomali is an international student from Saudi Arabia who joined the DrPH program in Health Policy and Management at NYMC in August 2022. He received his Bachelor’s degree of Science in Chemistry from Taif University, Saudi Arabia in 2015. In 2016, he obtained a Higher Diploma in Education from Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia which boosted his career as a high school chemistry teacher in Taif, Saudi Arabia in 2017. Also in 2017, he received a fully- sponsored scholarship from the Saudi Ministry of Health to complete his graduate studies. One and a half years after receiving the scholarship Ahmed dedicated himself to study Academic English language. He attained his Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences at NYMC and graduated in May 2022. During his master’s program period he got a three-month field training opportunity to practice as a public health specialist at King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2021.
Marina Holz, Ph.D.
Dr. Marina Holz is working as the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and an active Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy at NYMC. She received her Bachelor’s degree of Microbiology and Immunology with Great Distinction from McGill University, Canada. She obtained her Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology at Harvard Medical School, USA. Bringing to NYMC her passion and leadership in biomedical research and education, Dr. Holz leads an NIH-funded laboratory studying the mechanisms of signaling by hormones and growth factors in breast cancer and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)—a rare lung disease. Her work spans basic science and clinical applications and has been published in leading journals. The Holz laboratory has been previously funded by grants from the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Department of Defense, LAM Foundation, Wendy Will Case Cancer Fund, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Mindlin Foundation, and National Cancer Center. Dr. Holz also serves as a peer reviewer for multiple journals and participates in grant review study sections for the NIH, Department of Defense, ACS, LAM Foundation, and many international funding agencies. Dr. Holz is a member of the scientific advisory board of the LAM Foundation, member of the editorial boards of Nature’s Communications Biology and BBA-Molecular Basis of Disease and serves as the Ambassador for the American Cancer Society. In her laboratory, she is a dedicated mentor to students and the next generation of laboratory scientists and has served as a mentor in several diversity initiatives organized by the National Research Mentoring Network, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the American Society for Cell Biology.
Uchechukwu Igwe, M.P.H.
Uchechukwu Igwe obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from William Paterson University. She attained her Master’s degree in Public Health with Community Education Concentration. During her time in graduate school, she worked at East Orange Health Department where she worked extensively on health initiatives such as smoking cessation and physical activity in the community. Her areas of interest are aging, healthy aging, smoking cessation, aging communities in urban settings, health care access and health equity. Uchechukwu joined the DrPH program in Health Policy and Management at NYMC in August 2022.
Satvir Kaur, B.S., CLSSGB, M.P.H.
Satvir Kaur received her Bachelor’s degree of Science in Biology from Binghamton University. She holds a certification in Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt. She has accumulated a breadth of experience within healthcare and public health, as it relates to patient safety, healthcare quality, and outcomes. Her areas of expertise include hospital quality and performance improvement, hospital accreditation surveys, hospital acquired infection surveillance and reporting, policy development and implementation, workflow optimization, and data analytics. Satvir is currently Quality Manager for the Department of Infection Prevention & Control at Westchester Medical Center Health Network. She manages the implementation of quality assurance programs for the hospital network’s Infection Prevention and Control Department to ensure regulatory compliance. Her research interest includes systemic response to public health emergencies such as emerging infectious diseases. She attained her Master’s degree of Public Health in Epidemiology from NYMC. Satvir joined the DrPH program in Health Policy and Management at NYMC in August 2022.
Mary Kovoor, M.P.A., M.P.H.'22
Mary Kovoor is a performance improvement specialist in hospital quality. She obtained two master’s degrees: her MBA from Fordham University in Information Systems and a degree in Public Health with Behavioral Science and Health Promotion concentration from NYMC. She has a great informatics background. Mary’s practicum work included a poster presentation at the 2019 International Cancer Education Committee (ICEC) conference which addressed HPV vaccine hesitancy with respect to physician education. Mary joined the DrPH program in Health Policy and Management at NYMC in August 2022. She hopes to integrate technology into all aspects of her DrPH research and to share in shaping policy concerning workplace-impacting chronic conditions such as migraine disease and cancer in USA. She also aspires to teach courses to future public health leaders who share her vision of accessible quality healthcare for all people.
Maria Mikhail, M.D., Ms.C. Ophthal, M.P.H.
Dr. Maria Mikhail is an international student from Egypt who joined the DrPH program in Health Policy and Management at NYMC in August 2022. Dr. Mikhail is a public health specialist at the Egyptian Ministry of Health, Fayoum Health Affairs Directorate. She worked as a technical office member of Deputy Minister of Health for Public Health duties, and as an officer in charge of COVID-19 vaccination of the governmental HCWs. She also worked as an Infection Control manager at Fayoum Ophthalmic Hospital, Egypt. She received her bachelor’s degree of Medicine and General Surgery from Fayoum University, Egypt in 2009, with an honor degree. Her field expertise includes infection control, vaccination, maternal and child health care, preventive medicine initiatives, and health policies. Dr. Mikhail's research interests include equity in the access of the health care services via universal health coverage and Digital Health. She has three publications in public health and ophthalmology. Dr. Mikhail has another major as she worked as an Oculoplastic Surgeon since 2013. She obtained two master’s degrees in 2021, one in Ophthalmology from Beni Suef University, Egypt and a Master’s degree of Public Health from Yonsei University, South Korea in 2021, with a top honor graduate award, GHSA concentration. She is finishing her Fellowship of Ophthalmology from the Royal College of Glasgow, UK.
Ahmed Quraani, M.P.H.
Ahmed Quraani is an international student from Saudi Arabia who joined the DrPH program in Health Policy and Management at NYMC in August 2022. is from Saudi Arabia. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in General Dentistry from Saudi Arabia. He is working at the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF), Saudi Ministry of Defense as a general dental officer since September 2014. He served in many military hospitals and dental primary care centers in urban and rural areas of Saudi Arabia for four years. Throughout his service, he specialized at occupational, dental health care and social behaviors of Military personnel. For that he dedicated his research background for the oral health related quality of life among military personnel. He attained his master of International Dental Public Health at the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. After finishing his studying of the DrPH program at NYMC, he is planning to bring the experience and knowledge he will gain from the program back to Saudi Arabia as he wants to share as a promising public health advisor who leads policy development and strategic initiatives to improve public health in Saudi Arabia.
Kyaolin Rajbhandary, M.B.B.S., M.P.A.
Dr. Kyaolin Rajbhandary is an international student from Nepal who joined the DrPH program in Health Policy and Management at NYMC in Spring 2022. She received a bachelor’s degree in Medicine. She started her clinical practice in 2015 just after Nepal Earthquake occurred, working at a private hospital. She obtained an MPA degree. After her graduation from New York University Wagner, she worked as an associate analyst at Healthcare Strategy at Bullpen, which is a startup telehealth consulting firm researching and analyzing current aspects of the US digital healthcare market. She is currently an emerging healthcare management professional. She played a vital role in facilitating communication among and between hospitals, and private-sector relief funders. She helped re-allocating limited financial, logistics, and human resources to resource-strained departments. This experience drew her towards disaster preparedness and public health issues due to the lack of management and guidelines in her country. Going forward during studying her DrPH program in NYMC, she plans on gaining practical research-based experience from US-based and global health systems to be able to introduce best practices for healthcare management and public health education in Nepal.
Kwabena Twum- Nuamah, M.D., M.B.A, MGCP, M.P.H.
Dr. Kwabena Twum- Nuamah is an international student from Ghana. He is a second year DrPH student in the Health Policy and Management program at NYMC. He received his bachelor’s degree in medicine from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi-Ghana, in 2003. He worked as a public health physician with over fifteen years’ experience in the fields of “community medicine, hospital administration, disease control and health policy”, with six years’ experience as a hospital manager at his district hospital. He obtained two master degrees. He earned his MBA in 2013 from Kwame Nkrumah University in Ghana. He did his residency in Public Health with Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons which has been completed in 2021. Prior to pursuing his doctorate, He worked as a Member of the Parliament of Republic of Ghana, during which he was the chairman of the Parliament health committee between 2017- 2021. His research interest is the Health Financing (especially Sustainable Financing Models for Pediatric Cancer Care). He attained his Master’s degree of Public Health in 2016 from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi-Ghana.
Bruno Villazhinay- Matute, M.P.H.'22
Bruno is originally from Ecuador. He received his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York College at Geneseo in 2014. He as well obtained advanced certificates in Population Health Informatics from CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy and in Health Care Management from NYMC. Bruno has over seven years of patient care, hospital, and research administration experience. Currently, he is a Senior Administrator at NYMC, where he works with senior leaders and its affiliates to accomplish strategic goals and initiatives. His research interest is about the intersection between public health and local government. For that he has also served as a chair for health and wellness in the northern Westchester area, which allows him to lead and advise on community-based projects to address common health issues and reduce barriers to health and human services. He attained his Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management in May 2022 from NYMC. Bruno has joined the DrPH program in Health Policy and Management at NYMC in 2022. In pursuit of his doctoral degree, he aims to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to run a healthcare organization and develop policies and practices to advance health equity and access to healthcare in the United States and across the globe.
Sahar Abduljawad, M.P.H.
Sahar is a faculty member at Umm AlQura University (UQU) since 2014. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2013 from Laroche University and earned her Master of Public Health, Policy Concentration in 2018, from The University of Sciences. Before joining the DrPH program she was deputy chair of the Dept. of Public Health at UQU. Her goal as a faculty member is to empower students, create opportunities, and contribute to economic development in the region. Her top priority is to guide females toward demanding rights in making health decisions without guardian consent. Educating ambitious women to accomplish careers in health policy will also help contribute to social development and progress. She is eager to shape women’s health policy in Saudi Arabia and help pave the way toward greater equality. Sahar’s current research interests include preventive health screening, caring for women and sexually transmitted infections, include a special focus on human papillomavirus.
Allison Asher, M.B.A.,CHES, M.P.H.
Allison Asher has worked continuously with individuals who have experienced sexual violence through counseling and fundraising. She has done so in her previous role as a Certified Rape Crisis Counselor for the Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk County and hosted campus-wide fundraising initiatives. Allison has also worked with the American Cancer Society and transitioned Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk into a joint virtual/in-person event during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Asher has two Master’s degrees, both a Master’s in Public Health with a Community Health concentration and a Master’s in Business Administration which were awarded from SUNY Stony Brook in 2021. Ms. Asher is also a Nationally Certified Health Education Specialist and received her Bachelor’s in Psychology with minors in Health and Wellness as well as Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Stony Brook University in 2019. Ms. Asher is a DrPH student with an interest in global health, social determinants of health, and health disparities. Ms. Asher's main focus of research is on sexual violence and mental health and how these areas of health intersect.
Ashley Chory, B.S., M.P.H.
Ashley Chory is the Pediatric HIV Research Program Manager at the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She manages a research program that focuses on improving the care of children and adolescents living with HIV in low-income settings. Through a collaboration with the Academic Model for Providing Access to Health (AMPATH) in Kenya, the program supports children’s adherence to HIV therapy, disclosure of HIV status, HIV-related stigma, and mental health and other behavioral challenges for adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Ms. Chory received a Bachelor of Science from Sacred Heart University and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Global Health from the State University at Albany School of Public Health. Ashley’s research interest is in the role of gender in health care acquisition and the long-term health trajectories of adolescents. She is committed to global-local partnerships and opportunities for reciprocal innovation toward promoting health equity for adolescents globally.
Michelle (YenHusan) Jen, B.S., M.P.H.
Michelle Jen received her Bachelor of Science in Community Health and Wellness with a minor in Biology from Curry College, Milton, MA in 2018. She then went on to graduate from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) University, Boston, MA with a Master of Public Health in Global Health in 2018 and continued with another Master of Science in Clinical Research in 2019. Before joining the Dr.P.H. program at NYMC, Michelle worked for the Brookline Department of Public Health in Boston, working on several projects including reviving non-profit organization Brookline The Friends of Public Health. She has also volunteered in underserved communities abroad in Belize, China, and Thailand throughout her career. Most recently, Michelle worked for the National Burden of Disease Center in Taiwan as a research assistant, participating in analyzing disease burdens in Taiwan. Ms Jen is a Dr.P.H. student at NYMC with research interests in health care access, health policy, delivery, and financing of health care services and the impact of health reforms.
Tunesia Mitchell
Tunesia Mitchell is a NCCPA Board Certified Physician Assistant, American Academy of Physician Assistants, Distinguished Fellow and commander in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps. Tunesia received her Bachelors of Science from Touro College in 2004, Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska in 2007, and a Doctorate Certificate in Public Health from New York Medical College in 2018. Her current duty station the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and she provides clinical care for the underserved in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), located in the South Bronx, New York. Tunesia deploys frequently as one of our nation’s first responders; and has made notable contributions in national emergencies, such as Coronavirus Disease 2019, Hurricane Harvey, Irma/Maria and several US Border Missions. In her free time, Tunesia serves the underserved community by serving as the clinical director of an Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs (OOPP), co-director of a Wellness Ministry, and a member of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). Upon graduation, Tunesia plans on continuing to engage and empower members of disadvantaged communities as a public health advisor and educator.
Zaynab Mossolem
Zaynab Mossolem graduated with a Bachelor of Health and Natural Sciences (B.S.) in 2018 and continued her education by receiving her Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) with a concentration in Health Service Management in 2020, both from Mercy College. Ms. Mossolem joined the frontline at Jacobi Medical Center in the ICU where she assisted in treating patients with the ICU medical team as a Coordinating Associate. Her graduate thesis focused on overcoming language barriers in health care delivery, where she proposed health care facilities should adopt an on-call interpreter to assist non-English speaking patients in better understanding what the provider is attempting to communicate. Currently she works for White Plains Hospital Cares by assisting patient’s status post being discharged from the hospital with any questions or after care needs, they may have in order to improve patient quality care. She is pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health (Dr.P.H.) with a special interest in health disparities and social determinants of health with a focus on its impact on the morbidity and mortality in young and middle-aged adults.
Ali Imran, MD
Ali Imran is a physician Fellow in Palliative Care/Geriatric Supportive Oncology training at NYC VA System/Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He previously was at the University of Connecticut Center on Aging with a special focus on Geriatric Oncology. He has completed a Residency in the department of internal medicine at Bridgeport Hospital, Yale New Haven Health. He previously was a clinical research associate with Elmhurst Hospital and the Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Neurosurgery department. Imran has graduated from St. Georges’ University School of Medicine’s Global Scholar’s program pursuing a combined Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health at New York Medical College’s Institute for Public Health. His interest in public health is also providing the basis for his career plans in broadcast medical journalism where educating the public is the top priority. Imran has gained experience by spending a year at CNN’s medical news unit with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and now has begun his broadcast medical journalism career as a contributor to ABC 8′ Good Morning Connecticut as well as CNN HLN’s Nancy Grace show/Primetime Justice with Ashleigh Banfield. He is currently a contributor to the Walt Disney Television’s ABC News Medical Unit which covers Good Morning America, World News Tonight with David Muir, 20/20, Nightline and ABC News World News Now. He has been covering how COVID-19 has particularly affected older adults and nursing homes Responsibilities include ongoing review of medical content for ABC News's various platforms before it is aired, and he also contributes on air for the World News Now overnight broadcast on a weekly basis. He plans for a career in clinical as well as policy/advocacy position in Geriatric Medicine specifically with the intersection between emerging cancer therapies, survivorship and palliative care with training at the University of Connecticut Center on Aging, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Mount Sinai Medical Center.
“Jo” AlJawhara AlSabah
“Jo” AlJawhara AlSabah was born and raised in Kuwait, attending Kuwait University as an undergraduate majoring in molecular biology & genetics. After graduating she worked in cancer research at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at MIT, focusing on oncogenomics then in oncological research at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University. Subsequently she earned her MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2015. She is a scholar sent on behalf of Kuwait University’s new Faculty of Public Health and is focused on a systems approach that assures the public’s health in practice, research, and policy by unifying diverse resources of various sectors and challenge different entities to work in a concerted, strategic manner that promotes and protects population health. Future goals include developing and applying a public health framework that focuses on distinct partnerships and the need to shift from an individual to a population-based approach in practice, research, policy, and community engagement.
Mohammed Alshanbari, BDS, MPH, MS
"Graduated: 2023"
Mohammed Alshanbari is a public health faculty member at Umm AlQura University, Saudi Arabia since 2013. Mohammed Alshanbari graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Medicine and Surgery (B.D.S.) from Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Saudi Arabia. Mohammed was granted a scholarship to pursue his education in the United States since 2016. In 2018 he received his Master of Public Health in Global Health from Loma Linda University, California, also he completed a one-year health policy fellowship at the Randel Lewis Health Policy Program, where he worked at the City of Riverside, California. Mohammed Alshanbari was engaged with the city government officials in advancing health policies in city by developing and evaluating different health policies initiatives such as the Healthy City program. He then went to the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry, California for a residency program in Advanced Operative and Adhesive Dentistry and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomaterials and Digital Dentistry for 2 years and graduated in 2020. Mohammed Alshanbari is planning to go back to Saudi Arabia to teach public health and to contribute to the government of Saudi Arabia's plans to reform the health and education sectors.
Jay Ayar
Jay Ayar is a General Dental Surgeon from India. He received his dental degree from Gujarat University, India in 2011. Dr. Ayar participated in rural dental outreach and a faculty research project during his internship provided him a true hands-on experience in community dentistry. After finishing dental school, he joined a private dental practice as an associate dental surgeon at Ahmedabad City. Besides serving urban patients, he invested his time in providing dental care to the underserved population of rural parts of India. Providing complimentary dental treatment to poor and underserved people, and bringing back smiles to their faces, in his role as a dentist, was truly rewarding. Dr. Ayar completed a Master of Public Health from Monroe College, New Rochelle, New York in April 2019 with the honor in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement. He hopes to contribute to oral health globally and aspires to be a leader in Government or International Health Organization to develop effective, innovative, and affordable solutions to health issues.
Chandra “Pauline” (Dinakar) Daniel, PhD
"Graduated: 2023"
Chandra Daniel is currently pursuing her DrPH in Health Policy and Management at the New York Medical College. Her doctoral research in the field of Nutrition and Infectious Diseases led to her research and community outreach amongst the marginalized and frequently incarcerated population with Substance Use Disorders. Her doctoral research finding was presented at the World Health Organization's Annual meeting for the Safe Injection Global Network in 2007. She is the recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award (2014). She was recognized as an Associate Member of the New York Academy of Medicine in 2019. Chandra Pauline Daniel has worked for the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Black Leadership in Health, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task force and the New Jersey Department of Health. In 2018, she took a UN mission to India, as a Temporary Advisor to the UNAIDS, representing a unique collaborative partnership between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Harvard Medical School. In September 2020, the United Nations Association (UNA-USA) selected her as the Global Goals Ambassador for SDG-17. Dr. Daniel's work and research- related track record exude unique and innovative perspectives, are aimed at achieving better health outcomes for all.
Sumeet Gill, BDS, MPH
Sumeet Gill is a dentist and public health professional from India. Currently, she is a doctoral student in Health Policy and Management. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry from India and graduated with a Master's degree in Public Health (Health Policy and Management) from New York Medical College in 2018. Her previous work experiences include dental surgery clinical practice, volunteering for underprivileged communities, and coordination of various dental outreach initiatives. Her work in India was focused on the vision that health needs are addressed through a more equitable, efficient, and effective health care system. Her research interests include comparative effectiveness of oral health care delivery models, the cost-effectiveness of preventive procedures, dental health-related outcomes research, decision analysis. Her primary research focuses on examining the role of social determinants of oral disease and dental care utilization.
Ed Hassan
Ed Hassan holds a Bachelor degree, cum laude, in Social Sciences from Harvard University, with a concentration in Government & History. I also hold a graduate certificate in Clinical Studies & Biotechnology from Boston University School of Medicine. Additionally, I hold a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in Biological Sciences.
Shruti Kore, MD, MPH
Dr. Kore completed her MD in India and worked in government and corporate hospitals. She was involved in surveying TB suspected patients and adapting activities to assure quality TB services for communities on the fringes and few other projects dealing with infectious and non-communicable diseases. Dr. Kore received her Master’s in Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Management at New York Medical College in May 2018. During this time, she was a clinical research intern at Westchester Medical Center in the renal division conducting clinical trials and clinical research to improve patient outcomes. Going forward she intends to plan a career in clinical practice and research on innovative models for health promotion and prevention of diseases at primary health centers.
Ashlyn Morse, MD, MPH
Ashlyn Morse is a current DrPH candidate at New York Medical College and Orthopedic Surgical Resident at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY where she works closely with safety net hospital patients in and out of the operating theater. Dr. Morse has a particular interest in the outpatient resident-run clinics that target underserved communities in Westchester and wants to streamline and improve the delivery of cost-effective, conscientious quality care in a post-COVID era. Before trekking to the Northeast, Dr. Morse earned her MD and MPH at the sunny University of Miami, working closely with the community stakeholders of Overtown to develop a grant-funded public health program for underserved youth titled “The Overtown Health Theater.” Dr. Morse, in addition to spending time in the sun, also spent time under the hood in the microbiology laboratory working on the role of SOX-9 expression in chondrosarcoma, a rare primary bone cancer, with the Musculoskeletal Oncology team. In her spare time, Dr. Morse enjoys long walks on the beach, amateur hiking adventures in Yosemite National Park, and poetry. If you happen upon any outstanding puns—particularly of the Orthopedic variety—please forward them to Dr. Morse for immediate review.
Nicole Richardson, MPH, MSW
Nicole Richardson is a pediatric behavioral consultant who specializes in working with children and families. While running her consulting practice, Nicole co-authored studies at the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University (NYU). She previously worked at the Westchester Institute for Human Development where she was a Westchester Resource for Adoption Program specialist in the child welfare unit. Nicole also gained extensive experience providing individual therapy during her time as a clinical social work intern in the same unit while working with children in foster care. Nicole also interned at NYU’s Child Study Center in the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinical and Research Program where she provided psychotherapy and life skills coaching. Prior to joining the field of social work, Nicole studied public health and completed her practicum as a hospital administration process improvement intern at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She then worked as a public health research assistant at NYU Langone Medical Center. Nicole received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Union College. She then went on to graduate from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health with a Master of Public Health in healthcare management and policy. Nicole also received a Master of Social Work from NYU Silver School of Social Work where she was the co-President of the Phi Alpha Honor Society. Nicole’s research interests include examining and designing best practices to address healthcare disparities as well as the evaluation of process improvements that enhance both patient experiences and overall health outcomes.
Nicole Tenner, MS
Nicole Tenner specializes in disease prevention in her current role is a health educator at White Plains Hospital, she specializes in creating healthy lifestyle programs for her clientele. Nicole has multiple years of experience in wellness programming, public health initiatives and program implantation. Nicole received her undergraduate degree from Springfield College in Applied Exercise Science in 2015. Nicole went on to complete her Master of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from Springfield College in 2017. While completing her degree, Nicole studied the behaviors of individuals with type 2 diabetes and the correlation between their physical activity as a method of disease management, and their knowledge of healthy lifestyles. She also completed numerous internships with the State of Massachusetts and City of Springfield where she implemented multiple grant funded programs through the CDC. Currently, Nicole is a DrPH student at New York Medical College with research interests in socioeconomic determinants, and behavioral health.
Crystal Ukaegbu, MPH
Crystal Ukaegbu is a resilient, forthcoming emerging public health leader. Both of her parents immigrated to America from Nigeria. She was born in the Bronx, NY. She attended the University of Bridgeport for her first Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences with a minor in Human Services. She continued her education by attending the next SUNY Downstate Medical Center for her Master's in Public Health degree. She is currently a 1st year Doctor of Public Health student attending New York Medical College committed to expanding access to quality healthcare among underserved communities. Currently, she is working with the CDC at JFK Airport Quarantine Station, Border Health Services Branch as a Public Health Analyst. Assisting with combating the COVID-19 pandemic through conducting secondary and tertiary screenings, conducting contact investigations, and infection prevention protocols. Providing public health expertise to clinical, epidemiological, and technical experts in response to reports of illnesses in travelers related to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. She has served and worked on initiatives with hospital systems, community clinics, non-profits, and federal & city government agencies. She has experience conducting case investigations, disease outbreak surveillance, epidemiological research studies, gathering, managing, and analyzing data; survey deployment, report writing, infectious disease control & prevention protocol implementation, statistical analysis (SAS & STATA) and providing medical, behavioral, and social resources and services to various types of patients. Her research interests include Infectious Diseases, Racial Disparities in Women's Health, Geriatric Care, Health Policies, Cancer Prevention & Control, and Global Health issues. In her spare time, she enjoys having fun, trying new foods, shopping, watching movies, traveling, and mentoring others.
Shannon Freeman, MPA
"Graduated: 2022"
Shannon Freeman is a health care administrator with an acting role as the Community Health Coordinator at Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center. She is responsible for developing community –based health programs aimed at the prevention of disease and the promotion of health. Her work includes leveraging relationships with local health officers, health agencies, corporate and educational and civic leaders. Her current community health initiatives for awareness are vaping education and the opioid epidemic with a concentration in Naloxone administration. During the completion of her Master’s in Public Administration, she gained extensive experience in healthcare administration and management as an Administrative Office Coordinator at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the Gastroenterology, Nutrition and Hepatology service. Shannon earned her BS in Health Service Administration in 2017 and her Masters in 2019. Her areas of interest include improving hospital efficiency to promote an adequate health care system and the importance of educational tools to improve overall population health by using public health initiatives, higher education and health policy and management.
Marvin Gunter, MPH, MA-CSBC
"Graduated: 2023"
Marvin Gunter is a Public Health Communication Strategist with over 20 years’ experience in the provision of technical support to Caribbean government and allied civil society organizations in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes that advance universal access to integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for young people and minorities. Before joining the Dr.P.H. program of New York Medical College, Marvin managed the portfolio of Regional Program Specialist for the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean (SROC) which is based in Kingston, Jamaica and covers 22 English and Dutch speaking territories in the Caribbean. Prior to this he held responsibilities as National Director of Youth and HIV with the Jamaica Red Cross (JRC) and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC). Marvin holds two Masters degrees, one in Public Health from the University of Technology (UTECH), another with distinction in Communication for Social and Behaviour Change (CSBC) from the Caribbean Institute for Media and Communications (CARIMAC) at the University of the West Indies (UWI). Marvin hails from Manchester, Jamaica and earned a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from UTECH.
Jessie Moore, MPH
Jessie Moore is the Director of Education for Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley. In this role she oversees a team of 15 throughout a four county region. Jessie is also the Youth Education team lead for merger integration of five Planned Parenthood affiliates and a part time adjunct lecturer in Public Health for SUNY Orange. Jessie Moore received her undergraduate degree in Sociology with a concentration in Human Services from SUNY New Paltz in 2006. In 2010, she received a Master’s in Public Health (M.P.H.) with a focus on Behavioral Sciences and Health Promotion from New York Medical College (NYMC). In addition to her M.P.H., Jessie graduated from NYMC with a Certificate in Health Education. She is also a Nationally Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and NYS Certified HIV tester. Currently, she is a first year Dr.P.H. student at NYMC with research interests in health disparities and social determinants of health with a focus on their impact on maternal/infant morbidity and mortality.
Bonnie Reyna, MPH, MSED
Bonnie Reyna is the Senior Director at WMCHealth Performing Provider System (PPS). Bonnie’s work spans health equity, cultural competency, health literacy, youth career pathways, workforce development, community engagement, technology, innovation and strategy. Prior to joining the WMCHealth PPS, Bonnie was the Regional Manager of the Training and Education Fund of 1199-SEIU for Hudson Valley and the Capital Region. She has also worked at SUNY Purchase within Admissions and at Westchester Community College in the Workforce Development & Continuing Education department and in Human Services, Social Services and Public Health as a Care Coordinator, Child Protective Service worker and Public Health Maternal and Child Health-Program Manager. Her experiences have contributed to her vocation in Public Health and Education across the lifespan. Bonnie has a Bachelors in Sociology from SUNY Purchase College, Masters in Public Health from New York Medical College and a Master’s in Education from Long Island University. Bonnie is currently a candidate for the Dr.P.H. program at New York Medical College.
Jamil Samkari, MD, MPH
"Graduated: 2021"
Jamil Samkari is a primary care physician with research experience in infection control disease and disease surveillance. Dr. Samkari earned his medical degree from the University of Umm-Alqura, Saudi Arabia, and obtained his Master of Public Health – M.P.H. in 2016 from Tufts University, School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Before pursuing his doctorate, he was teaching assistant in medical school at King Abdelaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His passion is to contribute to the experience that has gained in public health in the United States and apply what he learned in the program to his country to make people have a better quality of life. Currently, he is a first year Dr.P.H. student at NYMC and a trainee in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disability (LEND) program at Westchester Institute for Human Development, NY.
Vaughn Whittaker, MD, MPH
"Graduated: 2023"
Vaughn Whittaker is a transplant and general surgeon who obtained his Master of Public Health in 2017 from SUNY Upstate Medical University and Syracuse University in 2017. He is active on National and Regional Committees serving on the Living Donor Committee of the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) and the American Society of Transplant Surgery. He has also held leadership positions as the Director of Living Donor Kidney at Westchester Medical Center and Division Chief in Transplantation at the Upstate Medical University. He is a past R-25 NIH sponsored scholar and participated in Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research (PRIDE). He has presented widely at National and International conferences in Transplantation as it relates to minority, the elderly and children. Vaughn completed medical school at the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Medical Sciences. He then went on to complete General Surgery Residency at Harlem Hospital Center in New York. He then completed a multi-organ transplant fellowship at New York Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center. He has interest in optimizing the use of scarce resources and reducing disparities in the allocation of these resources.
Whitney Wu-Chu, JD, MPH
"Graduated: 2023"
Whitney Wu-Chu received her Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Resource Studies with an area of interest in Environmental Law and Policy and a minor in Music from University of California, Berkeley in 2010. She then went on to graduate from New York Medical College with a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences in 2013 and then earned her law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law in 2016. During law school, Whitney interned at Golden Gate University’s Environmental Law and Justice Clinic where she worked with disadvantaged communities engulfed in various environmental pollutants. Throughout her career, Whitney has worked and volunteered with underserved communities, observing the detrimental effects of environmental issues. She is a member of the New York State bar and currently works for a solo practitioner in employment law. Whitney is pursuing her Doctor of Public Health in Health Policy and Management to focus on policy analysis and management for environmental and public health.
Malathi Aarkoti, BHMS, MPH
"Graduated: 2021"
Malathi Aarkoti, BHMS, M.P.H. received her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from New York Medical College (NYMC) in 2011 and has extensive experience in governmental public health at the federal, state and local levels. She has worked on various projects, including prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, disaster epidemiology and data analysis of Emergency Medical Services data for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida State Department of Health, New Jersey Department of Health and New Haven, Connecticut Health Department and Somerset County, NJ Health Department. Malathi is currently a Data Analyst/Epidemiologist at the New Jersey Department of Health utilizing SAS and STATA statistical software for analyzing large datasets. Her current research interests focus on the “Opioid Epidemic” especially, Naloxone administration and the dosage required for opioid overdoses by NJ Emergency Medical Services professionals. Malathi holds a baccalaureate degree in Homeopathic Medicine from India where she practiced homeopathy for three years.
Nkem Chukwueme, M.D. M.P.H.
"Graduated: 2023"
Nkem Chukwueme, M.D. M.P.H. is a public health physician with over a decade experience in disease program and grants management, strategic document review, policy development, research, training, monitoring and evaluation of TB/TBHIV disease surveillance. Dr. Chukwueme earned her medical degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and obtained her Master of Public Health – MPH in 2014 from the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland. She is also a JHU certified global health professional and has received extensive training in public health cartography. Prior to pursuing her doctorate, she was regional director for KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, the National TB monitoring and evaluation coordinator in the Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria, was the Country Survey Coordinator for the Nigeria Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey study in 2012 and earned a Presidential merit award in Nigeria for excellent community service. She is currently a Technical Review Panel Member for the Global Fund Geneva and recently enlisted into the World Health Organization pool of Tuberculosis Epidemiological Review Consultants for Africa Countries. Her broad alliance of network base and diverse experience at all program levels from grassroots engagement to Federal levels both in the private and public sector, has afforded her the privilege of being technically sound and culturally competent in the field of public health. Her research interests include, risk factors identifications, barriers to accessing health, outcome assessments to inform policy change, and overall health system strengthening, mostly in infectious disease settings. In her spare time, she practices playing guitar, enjoys reading and loves adventure travelling.
George Contreras, MEP, MPH, MS, CEM, FACEM, EMTP
George Contreras is a healthcare professional with over twenty-seven years of experience in the fields of emergency medical services, disaster management, public health, higher education, international disaster response, hospital administration and consulting. He served as Assistant Director of the Center for Disaster Medicine at New York Medical College (NYMC), Assistant Director of the Emergency Preparedness Certificate Program at NYMC and adjunct Associate Professor in the NYMC School of Health Sciences and Practice. Prior to coming to NYMC, he was a tenured Associate Professor and Director of Allied Health at Kingsborough Community College of the City University of New York where he created, implemented and attained national initial accreditation for two new allied health programs in Brooklyn: Paramedic and Polysomnographic Technology. He is also an adjunct Professor at Metropolitan College of New York’s (MCNY) Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Emergency and Disaster Management. Professor Contreras has actively participated in various disasters in New York City and abroad. Some disasters include the 1993 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the TWA 800 plane crash, Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, the historic snowstorm in January 2016, and the September 11th terrorist attacks. On September 11th, he worked as a paramedic at Ground Zero and was fortunate enough to survive as the second tower collapsed. His areas of interest include simulation and inter-professional education as tools in the fields of EMS, public health, disaster management, higher education and health policy and management. Above all, he continues to pursue his life-long passion and still works as a paramedic in New York City.
Helen Dao, MHA
Helen Dao received her undergraduate degree in psychology from New Jersey City University. She began working in the social and human services arena, developing a passion for healthcare policies and quality improvement and has been working with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) over 17 years. Ms. Dao’s expertise is in clinical quality improvement, risk management, and healthcare strategic planning skills. In 2005, Ms. Dao received her graduate degree from New Jersey City University. After completing her Master’s in Health Care Administration, she continued concentrating in the area of systems change, quality improvement, and risk management. Currently, Ms. Dao works for Union Community Health Center, a large Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) as the Director of Risk Management and Quality Assurance. Ms. Dao also started a healthcare consulting firm, Dao Management Consulting Services, Inc. in 2007, focusing on quality improvement and systems change, serving small and large healthcare and social services organizations throughout the United States.
Nicholas Mercado, MPH
"Graduated: 2021"
Nicholas Mercado is a Medical Ethicist in the Division of Medical Ethics for Northwell Health, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Health Professions at Hofstra University, and acting Program Director for the M.S. in Health Informatics at Hofstra University. In his current position at Northwell Health, Mr. Mercado conducts clinical ethics consultations, sits on numerous hospital ethics committees, and participates in divisional research projects. He teaches in the medical school's ethics/professionalism, communications, and public health curricula, and is an assistant teacher in the Hofstra University Bioethics Certificate Course. Mr. Mercado graduated with his B.S. in Community Health Education at the State University of New York at Potsdam in 2012, his Master of Public Health from Hofstra University in 2015, and completed a certificate in Clinical Bioethics from the Hofstra University Bioethics Center. His research interests center on the ethical issues surrounding public health activities, specifically public health surveillance and its impact on personal autonomy in favor of public beneficence.
Parthener Pinder, MD, MPH
"Graduated: 2023"
Parthener Pinder is originally from Miami, FL, graduated Summa Cum Laude from American International School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in 2017. Dr. Pinder graduated from the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program at New York Medical College in 2018. She is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Public Health Association. Dr. Pinder has held a position at the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute as a project assistant working in the Metropolitan Area Regional Office, Executive Office and became part of the Ending the Epidemic (ETE) Initiative in New York State, assisted in the development of HIV data charts, for the 2013-2015 year period, for Lower Manhattan and Queens ETE Regional Committees. In August 2017, Dr. Pinder traveled to Georgetown, Guyana, with the Guyana-Jamaica Friendship Association for a Symposium and Workshops on Early Childhood Education in collaboration with the Guyana Ministry of Education. She was one of five featured presenters and conducted two workshops: “The Benefits of Movement and Games for Early Learners” and “Supporting Active Play in the Early Years.” She was also recognized for her work and received an award from the Guyana Ministry of Education. She currently works in the Wellness Department at Open Door Family Medical Center serving as a Healthy Future Corps AmeriCorps Member in Ossining, NY.
Patricia Fay, PT, DPT, MPH
Patricia Fayis an Associate Professor in the Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey’s Newark campus. She teaches courses in Critical Reasoning, Pathophysiology, Clinical Inquiry and Medical Screening for Physical Therapists. Dr. Fay received her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from Boston University, a Master of Public Health from Hunter College, The City University of New York, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. In 2017, she began the Dr.P.H. program at New York Medical College School of Health Sciences and Practice. Her research interests include health disparities, risk factor identification and outcome assessment. Clinically, she has practiced in a variety of settings in Boston, New York City and Copenhagen, Denmark. She has published in the areas of physical therapy clinical education and public health. Recent research efforts have included early mobilization in the intensive care unit, depression screening, and the demographics and risk factors for patients seen in an urban, underserved population within a specialized dental clinic. Prior work includes the development of a screening tool for the migrant worker population in southern New Jersey, and the impact of physical therapy overtime on length of stay in an urban acute care setting.
Asif Shaikh
"Graduated: 2021"
Dr. Asif Shaikh is a physician researcher with over twelve years standing interest in the care of respiratory diseases, especially COPD, Asthma and IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis). He recently co-authored three abstracts which received GOLD RIBBON Awards at the American Managed Care Pharmacy Congress (AMCP, Dallas 2017). The abstracts were, "Assessment In a Real-World Setting of the Effect of Inhaled Steroid-Based Triple Therapy Versus the Combination of Tiotropium and Olodaterol on Reducing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations: AIRWISE study design", "Healthcare resource utilization, costs, and exacerbation rates in patients with COPD stratified by GOLD airflow limitation classification in a US commercially insured population" and "Spirometry Evaluation to Assess Performance of a Claims-Based Predictive Model that Identifies Patients Likely to Have Undiagnosed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease". Additionally, another abstract, "Real-world treatment patterns among newly diagnosed COPD patients according to GOLD airflow limitation severity classification in a US commercially insured / Medicare Advantage population" was accepted for "Oral Presentation" at the American College of Chest Physicians Congress (ACCP/CHEST), Toronto, Canada 2017. Dr. Shaikh is the medical lead for "AIRWISE" and MURDOCK COPD" study. AIRWISE is the world's largest ever pragmatic clinical trial, designed to test a medication's effectiveness in routine clinical practice settings (3200 patients). MURDOCK COPD Study is a prospective observational study aimed at achieving a better understanding of COPD progression in 850 patients. In the past few years, he has authored over 10 abstracts/posters. One of his publication is on a prospective cluster-randomized study published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Volume 2012:7 Pages 437-445. He is working on four additional manuscripts to be published soon. Dr. Shaikh engages with Health Insurance Industry's Clinical Research wing, academia and is currently focused on generating real world evidence data for COPD pharmacotherapy. He works as Senior Director in the Department of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals.
Constance Bowens
"Graduated: 2023"
Constance Bowens works as an Analyst for the New York State Office of Mental Health (O.M.H.) where she is passionate about facilitating optimal resource allocation or reallocation to support people with Serious Mental Illness, and people who have a co-occurring Mental Disorder and Developmental Disability in achieving the lives which they value. In the course of her work, she serves as one of the representatives of O.M.H. on Value Based Payment. Constance also serves as part of a team which evaluates requests to expand, open, reduce, or close public mental health programs. To enhance her ability to better serve people with disabilities, Constance began her Doctoral Studies in Health Policy and Management at New York Medical College (N.Y.M.C.) in the fall of 2016 due to its emphasis on using research to inform practice. Her research interests include: distributive justice and disability, disability, long term services and supports, the health workforce which serves people with disabilities, and health care delivery system and payment reform to drive improvements in outcomes for people with disabilities especially those with multiple chronic conditions. Constance’s prior academic studies has greatly influenced her work at O.M.H. as an Analyst. Her previous academic work includes the study of Economics for which she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts from New York University. Constance’s other prior area of study was Management for which she was awarded a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College's Marxe School of Public and International Affairs. In recognition of her scholastic excellence in the area of Management, Constance was inducted as a member of Pi Alpha Alpha (National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration). Just as her prior scholastic achievements have provided her with a multiplicity of perspectives by which to examine ways to meet the needs of New Yorkers with disabilities, NYMC’s DrPH serves to further equip her to advocate on behalf of this very vulnerable population
Aaron Childs, BS, MSPH
Aaron Childs graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health (B.S.) from Mercer University in 2014 where he received the Academic Merit Scholarship and Dean’s List Award. His passion for public health was discovered when he began his first job as a Health Education Intern at the Macon-Bibb County Public Health Department, where his responsibilities were to develop health education programs, learn how board meetings function, utilize media outlets to inform the public about community health programs, present health issues and to create newsletters to promote future programs. After graduating from Mercer University, he pursued a Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.) from Meharry Medical College. While there, he received the Tennessee Managed Care Network Endowed Scholarship, High Honors Award, Dean’s List Award, earned a spot in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and won 1st place at Student Research Day for his thesis topic: “Prevalence, Risk Factors, Attitudes, and Beliefs Toward Hookah Smoking Among African-American Graduate Students/Health Professionals in Nashville, Tennessee”. As a Health Administration Intern at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in 2015, his responsibilities were to attend board meetings, evaluating Emergency Room Throughput, and perform other related duties to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the hospital. He graduated from Meharry Medical College in 2016 and began the Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) program in the School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York Medical College in the fall of 2016. His research interest is determining if new or modified interventions decrease the prevalence of HIV infection among young adults.
Iman Mirza
"Graduated: 2021"
Iman Mirza is a physician and public health professional from Makkah, Saudi Arabia. She received her Medical Degree (M.B.B.S.) from the College of Medicine at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah – Saudi Arabia, in 2011, and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2015. She was awarded an outstanding student award from the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to the United States (SACM), in 2015. She joined the Dr.P.H. program in Health Policy and Management at New York Medical College School of Health Sciences and Practice in Fall, 2016. She is working as a Dr.P.H. Graduate Assistant at the same department. She is also a member of the School’s Curriculum Committee. In 2011, she joined the Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia as a Teaching Assistant and junior faculty. She trained as a Pre-scholar trainee in Infection Control and Prevention Unit, King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In 2012, she was awarded a grant of a full scholarship from University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia to pursue higher education. In 2015, she was appointed as a Research Scientist in Center for Cognitive Neurology, Division of Neurodegenerative and Drug Discovery Program, Neurology Department, School of Medicine, New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center, New York. Her current research interests include aging, aging related disease, long-term care, and how to improve older adults’ quality of life. Iman is interested in policy implementation and multi-stakeholder decision making.
Jade Bedell
"Graduated: 2020"
Jade Bedell received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology with a minor focus in Spanish language from Texas A&M University in College Station in 2013. Jade received her Masters of Health Administration from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth in 2016. During her master’s program Jade worked at a Federally Qualified Health Center where she gained a passion for public health and working to achieve health equity for minority populations. Jade moved from Texas to begin the Doctor of Public Health program at NYMC in the fall of 2017. She plans to focus her doctoral research on eliminating health disparities and improving access to health care for minority populations in the US. Jade is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. She is also an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and the Global Brigades.
Kerry Watson
"Graduated: 2020"
Kerry Watson graduated with a Master of Public Health from the School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York Medical College in 2017, with a concentration in Health Policy and Management. She earned her undergraduate degree at New York University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts as a Sociology major, Music minor and completed pre-medical requirements. She was on the Dean’s List from Spring 2004 to Summer 2005. Currently, Ms. Watson is receiving training at the Westchester Institute for Human Development for Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities. Funded by the Maternal Health Bureau, this training focuses upon developing leaders on behalf of children with special healthcare needs and their families, across advocacy, policy, administration, and research competencies which are anchored upon a foundation of family-centered practice, cultural competency, life-course perspective, interdisciplinary approach, and evidence-based practice.Ms. Watson was also a pioneer of two community philanthropy and empowerment leadership roles through the Starbucks Coffee Company, from 2011-2012. As the Philanthropic Liaison, she was entrusted with seeking, establishing, and building community outreach initiatives between her local Starbucks and the community it served. Through this role, Kerry made the store a designated food donation drop for low-income children in the city by collaborating with the Center for Food Action, and created a designated volunteer team of employees who contributed time and effort to servicing the local hospital. As the director of Creative Arts Night, Kerry established a monthly showcase using the Starbucks store for music, spoken-word, live painting, and other artistic performances by community members. She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Ms. Watson’s professional aspiration is the application of the public health perspective to administration and research for the optimal transformation of pediatric healthcare services into family-centered pediatric medical homes, with special interest in application to pediatric gastroenterology. She gained preliminary experience in this field through her Master’s practicum at NYU Winthrop Hospital, where she constructed an operations improvement template for NCQA Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition to improve operations effects on patient care.
Saleh Khateeb, MD, MPH
"Graduated: 2020"
Saleh Khateeb began studies in the Doctor in the Public Health program in Health Policy and Management New York Medical College School of Health Sciences and Practice in the fall of 2017. He is a Public Health Specialist at the Ministry of Health in Jeddah - Saudi Arabia, working as a medical supervisor since 2015 at the Quality and Patient Safety Department in the Public Health Administration. He is involved in the healthcare system reform program, which is currently taking place in Saudi Arabia as a part of the Saudi Government Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Programs, where he is focusing on assessing and evaluating the implementation of the Centralized Electronic Medical Record system at the level of the ministry of health.Dr. Khateeb earned his Medical Degree in 2010 from Medical School at King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah – Saudi Arabia, and earned his Master of Public Health - MPH, Healthcare Management and Policy Concentration in 2015, from Tufts Medical School, Boston – Massachusetts. His research interest is in the impact of the Centralized Electronic Medical Record on the quality, patient safety and the triple aim: Improve the Health of Populations; Improving the Patient Experience; and Reducing the per Capita Cost of Health Care.
Jason Xenakis
"Graduated: 2020"
Jason Xenakis is a native New Yorker. He graduated magna cum laude from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in 2010. At Marist he majored in philosophy, completed pre-medical requirements, and tutored part-time. Dr. Xenakis completed his MD at New York Medical College in 2015 where he participated in clinical rotations in many healthcare systems throughout the Tri-state area including the Veterans Administration, Westchester Medical Center, Mount Sinai, and Yale-New Haven Hospital. During his medical education he took a year off to work full time for IBM engaging in rapid Electronic Medical Record research as part of the Watson Health Project. Jason graduated from the Master of Public Health program at New York Medical College in 2017. His concentration within this program was health policy and management and he held an officer position in the Student Healthcare Executives Club. Jason is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and was awarded the Healthcare Leaders of New York Achievement Award of Distinction Scholarship. He was employed by the Westchester Institute for Human Development as the Patient Centered Medical Home Project Manager where he led the operational transformation of Adult Health Services which provides a multitude of outpatient medical services to patients with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability. Currently Jason is working at Bridgeport, CT Hospital. In addition to these administrative duties, he also engages in population health research. Recently, he collaborated on a cross sectional survey study investigating the utilization of assistive technology and social media, as well as computer and phone ownership in the practice's adult population. Moving forward, he aims to conduct patient centered medical home research at his place of work with the unique population he serves.