2024-2025 FINALISTS
NIA HART & ZOEY HUMES
Proposal: The MoveMore for PD Collective aims to address health disparities in Parkinson disease care for people of color in Flint, Michigan, by creating a culturally inclusive, evidence-based exercise program led by Doctor of Physical Therapy students of color.
Nia Ahart, a Detroit native, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in African-American Studies from Colgate University, where she was a Division I basketball player and team captain. She continued her athletic career at Northern Illinois University. Her personal experience with physical therapy during a potential career-ending injury sparked her passion for the field. After gaining hands-on experience as a PT tech in outpatient and inpatient settings, Nia became committed to addressing healthcare disparities and advocating for equitable access to quality care. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Michigan-Flint. Nia is the co-founder and President of the Wolverine BIPOC Healthcare Collective, fostering a sense of belonging for underrepresented students. She also serves as co advocacy chair of the DPT Student Association and works as a Graduate Research Assistant specializing in ACL rehabilitation.
Zoey Humes is a second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student at the University of Michigan-Flint, where she is committed to advancing her skills in rehabilitation and healthcare. She is the Vice President and co-founder of the Wolverine BIPOC Healthcare Collective, an organization dedicated to fostering inclusivity and support for BIPOC students in physical therapy programs. A graduate of Madonna University, Zoey played collegiate softball, an experience that fueled her passion for sports rehabilitation. She is also a Graduate Research Assistant (GRSA), focusing on ACL rehabilitation, and serves as the co-advocacy chair for the DPT Student Association. Recently, Zoey has developed a newfound interest in neuro rehabilitation, which complements her diverse leadership and clinical roles. Zoey’s dedication to both academic and leadership pursuits highlights her commitment to advancing physical therapy practices and advocating for underrepresented communities in the healthcare field.
AIZA BUSTOS & ANDREA GONZALES JIMENEZ
Proposal: This proposal aims to improve access to postpartum doula services and social support for Latina mothers in Southwest Detroit by partnering with the Community Health and Social Services Center (CHASS).
Aiza: The ways in which language barriers and documentation status limit access to healthcare are more than just constructs to me; they are the lived experiences of so many family members and friends. Their stories, combined with the caring nature my parents instilled in me, ultimately led me down the path of becoming a physician. My few years of training thus far have already contained countless examples of how often our healthcare system fails to care for people, with the repercussions extending far beyond the walls of a clinic or a hospital. Health is so much more than optimizing the inner workings within a human body– it requires recognizing and nurturing the aspects that make us human as well. I view political injustices to be equal in malignancy as physical ailments, hence my commitment to becoming a physician advocate. Translating equitable access to healthcare from an ideal to reality requires a transdisciplinary approach, which is what prompted my pursuit of a dual degree in public health. While many of us come from different training and cultural backgrounds, it is heartwarming to see that we are all like-hearted in our desire to achieve health equity.
Andrea: Health equity is about ensuring everyone has access to quality healthcare and the opportunity to achieve optimal health, regardless of their background. My passion for health equity stems from personal experience. When my family migrated from Mexico City to the U.S. at age six, I quickly became aware of the barriers immigrant families face in navigating the healthcare system. I often served as a translator for my mom during doctor’s visits, despite barely learning English myself. I watched my parents and relatives neglect chronic conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, due to the lack of affordable, culturally sensitive care. As I grew older, I saw that our experience wasn’t unique. Many families in underserved communities face similar challenges—language barriers, limited access to care, and a lack of representation among healthcare providers. These systemic inequities, rooted in racism, economic inequality, and gaps in education, have lasting consequences on individuals and communities. These experiences fuel my commitment to health equity. By addressing disparities, we can challenge systemic injustices and create solutions that meet the needs of marginalized populations. Everyone deserves a fair chance to achieve good health. Health equity is a step toward building a more inclusive and compassionate society.
ELIZABETH DELGADO & NIA LUCAS
Proposal: The proposal aims to develop and implement a nutrition curriculum that will help prevent and reduce cardiovascular disease among migrant farmworkers in Lenawee County, a patient population that is at an increased risk of developing diet-associated chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
Elizabeth Delgado (she/her) is an MD/PhD student at the University of Michigan. She was raised in West Palm Beach, Florida and completed her degree in Biology at Duke University. As an undergraduate, Elizabeth volunteered as a Spanish medical interpreter at a local free clinic and was a member of Project HEAL, a student organization that aims to reduce health disparities through education. Currently, she volunteers as an interpreter at the Migrant Farmworker Outreach Clinic and serves as one of the student leaders.
Nia Lucas (she/her) is an MD student at the University of Michigan. Nia is from Atlanta, Georgia and graduated with a degree in Biology from Emory University. After undergrad, she studied global health and recieved her Master of Public Health from the University of Pennsylvania. Nia currently serves as a student leader for the Migrant Farmworker Outreach Clinic, which provides medical services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers living in Southeastern Michigan. Nia plans to pursue a career in internal medicine with a focus in Latinx health. She is passionate about working to mitigate health disparities experienced by BIPOC globally.
BIANCA FREEMAN & VIVIAN LI
Proposal: This project aims to support increased digital health literacy in the formerly incarcerated population of Wayne County by proposing a two-phased program consisting of an educational program for individuals to better understand navigating the challenges of digital health records and distribution of a digital health application to provide a resource for formerly incarcerated individuals to navigate the digital healthcare system.
Vivian is a Master of Health Informatics student at the University of Michigan, holding a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from Princeton University. Her public health knowledge began with a global focus from coursework in Denmark during her semester abroad and classes on global health policy during her undergraduate studies. Encouraged to combine her interests in health and technology to find practical healthcare solutions, she is eager to deepen her understanding of the U.S. healthcare system and explore ways to apply technology-based solutions to promote health equity and improve healthcare delivery efficiency through her master's program in health informatics. Previously, Vivian worked at Michigan Medicine as a Patient Food and Nutrition Representative, assisting patients with specific dietary needs across various departments. This role helped her identify the challenges patients face within the healthcare system, including service inefficiencies and educational barriers. She is excited to continue making an impact in her community through participation in the MIEquity Health Challenge.
Bianca is a first-year Health Informatics master's student at the University of Michigan. In her undergraduate studies, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services with a concentration in Public Health at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. During her undergraduate years, her passion for health equity grew as she took her Public Health courses and saw the potential to improve the lives of those who grew up in similar hardships as her. In the past, she worked as a research assistant for two of her professors in her undergrad on the importance of Plain Language for health literacy. She also worked as a research recruitment specialist for the All of Us Research Program, where she recruited participants by explaining their mission of precision health medicine for all. These experiences and courses have shaped her passion for creating a world where everyone has access to proper and equitable healthcare. She is excited to be able to work on the MiHealth Equity Challenge and contribute to health equity in the community.
GRACE FEICHTER & GIULIANA MOTTA
Proposal: This proposal aims to implement a community-led water quality monitoring initiative, with the ultimate goal of remediating systemic water quality issues, by partnering with the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation in Southwest Detroit.
Grace is a first-year MPH student in Environmental Health Sciences with a concentration in Environmental Health Promotion and Policy. As an aspiring health equity leader, she hopes to have the power to take bold steps in an effort to drive meaningful change, and work to develop the perspective necessary to view environmental issues as an opportunity for tangible impact, not just a challenge to global health. Presently, Grace possesses a keen interest in examining the intersections between social justice and environmental health, working as a research assistant under Dr. Amy Schulz with Community Action to Promote Healthy Environments (CAPHE). Within this organization, she experienced first-hand the complexities of meeting community needs, partnering with local stakeholders, and building relationships with Michigan legislators to improve collective public health outcomes. The future academic and professional research she desires to engage in is a way of doing her part to remedy environmental reverberations of armed conflict on vulnerable populations. She aims to heed the call for improved collaboration between the scientific and political communities in an effort to apply objective science-based approaches to identify acute community health problems, communicate effective interventions, and advocate for intentional, comprehensive action grounded in health equity.
Giuliana is a first-year MPH student studying Environmental Health Promotion and Policy. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Sciences and Environmental Chemistry from the University of Michigan. Giuliana aspires to be an environmental health scientist who works at the intersection of academic research, community action, and policy making. As climate change and other environmental exposures continue to be significant drivers of health inequities, she finds it essential to contribute to research and initiatives grounded in equitable processes. Giuliana was first exposed to community-based health equity work in undergrad, when she collaborated with students and community partners to increase cervical cancer screening in rural areas in the U.S., Nicaragua, and Peru. Over the past two years, in her role as a research assistant for Community Action to Promote Healthy Environments (CAPHE) in Detroit, she deepened her understanding of community-based participatory research and the importance of addressing power dynamics between academia and vulnerable communities. These experiences have solidified Giuliana's belief that bridging the gap between science, community needs, and policy is crucial for sustainable and just solutions. Throughout her career, she intends to integrate principles of environmental justice and inclusivity, ensuring healthier environments and communities for all.
KELLY GILBERT
Proposal: My goal is to collaborate with local community partners and experienced organizations operating food hubs throughout Michigan to begin developing a plan for a food hub to expand access to healthy, local foods for Washtenaw County Schools and community members. This project will aim to leverage existing federal and state policies, grant opportunities, and partnerships with Community-Based Organizations to connect Washtenaw County residents experiencing food insecurity to accessible healthy foods and nutrition education.
My name is Kelly Gilbert and I am a Doctor of Nursing Practice student at the University of Michigan. Throughout my nursing career, I have chosen community health roles with the goal of not only supporting the health of my individual patients, but also being curious about and observant of the community in which they live. I have come to see the many ways that access to quality healthcare, transportation, safe housing, nutritious food and a system of reliable resources are just some of the interconnected components that influence the physical and emotional health of my patients and their families. I believe that these observations as well as listening to my patients’ experiences have taught me many valuable lessons that have shaped my nursing philosophy. In my current role as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a free clinic, I serve as an advocate for my patients to address health disparities and ensure that they are afforded equitable access to healthcare. I hope to expand this work to incorporate inequities in access to affordable, fresh food to mitigate the adverse consequences of food insecurity.
EMILY LIN & SARAH CANLAS
Proposal: This project focuses on reducing healthcare disparities for low-income and rural populations in Michigan by leveraging telehealth and mobile health clinics. By expanding access to compassionate, high-quality care and addressing barriers like broadband limitations and geographic isolation, we aim to ensure that underserved communities receive the support they need.
Emily and Sarah have been best friends since meeting in their high school orchestra room over a decade ago. Though their careers initially diverged—Sarah becoming a nurse and Emily pursuing UX consulting—their passion for human-centered experiences has always connected them. Reunited at the University of Michigan’s Master of Science in Information (MSI) program, they’re combining their unique perspectives to address health equity. Sarah’s experiences as a medical surgical nurse exposed her to the challenges patients face in accessing quality care, particularly in underrepresented communities. Emily, as a UX consultant, encountered similar inequities, seeing how underserved populations are often excluded from accessible design in essential services. Together, they are driven by a shared belief that everyone deserves equitable access to care. They also own two cats named Momo and Nox. One of whom recently broke their TV.
RAYA NASHEF
Proposal: "Roots of Resilience" is a holistic mental health program that addresses health equity by providing culturally tailored teletherapy, psychoeducation, and trauma-informed care for underserved low-income and immigrant communities, while fostering cultural competency through staff training and community partnerships.
My name is Raya Nashef, and I am pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. With a strong commitment to mental health advocacy, I am particularly passionate about addressing the disparities in mental health care for underserved communities. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have actively participated in community initiatives supporting immigrant and low-income populations. My extensive experience working with diverse communities, including conducting trauma research with refugee populations, has deepened my understanding of trauma-informed care and the critical importance of culturally relevant interventions.
I am especially drawn to health equity because I believe that every individual, regardless of socioeconomic status or cultural background, deserves access to compassionate and effective care. My goal is to address mental health disparities by developing innovative, community-centered solutions that integrate both mental health and physical well-being. By designing and implementing culturally sensitive care models, I aim to create scalable frameworks that can be replicated to improve health equity on a broader scale. Ultimately, I aim to enhance access to care and foster long-term improvements in health outcomes across communities.
LAUREN PETTINGA & IRENE WEI
Proposal: We propose creating a digital resource guide in collaboration with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) patients and caregivers to streamline access to resources, insurance guidance, and care information, reducing treatment gaps and ensuring safer, more effective support.
Lauren is in her final year of a dual-degree Master of Urban Design and Architecture program at Taubman College, with a certification in Healthy Cities. Her interest in health equity and design was sparked through her work with the Public Design Corps, where she contributed to research for the Great Lakes Way Project and the revitalization of downriver communities. Lauren’s interest in designing for health equity is carried through in her academic work to create urban environments that promote human well-being, enhance physical health, and serve the needs of under-resourced populations. In addition to her educational pursuits, she completed a Dow Sustainability Fellowship with the Graham Sustainability Institute, conducting research with Habitat for Humanity to develop tools for creating sustainable, healthy homes in disinvested communities.
Irene is a spatial designer whose work and research concern how humans interact with the built environment and span the topics of accessibility, community, and culture. She is in her final year of the Master of Architecture program at Taubman College, concentrating in Health by Design, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Furniture Design from the Rhode Island School of Design. Irene is deeply committed to advancing health equity, inspired by her experiences witnessing disparities in access to quality healthcare for marginalized communities. Her commitment deepened after being involved in an auto accident, where the other party faced significant challenges due to changes in Michigan’s No-Fault Auto Insurance laws, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform and accessible resources to navigate auto and health insurance complexities post-accident.
ELIZABETH RANDOLPH & JENNYLEE SWALLOW
Proposal: The innovation that we are proposing focuses on improving maternal health outcomes for individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Michigan by developing a maternal health resource toolkit aimed to educate patients and providers.
Elizabeth Randolph is a Health Infrastructures and Learning Systems PhD candidate. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she studied international health systems. Her prior work experience focused mainly on strengthening pre-service education in reproductive healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Her research interests include health systems strengthening, reproductive health equity, and healthcare workforce strengthening.
Jennylee Swallow is a Health Infrastructures and Learning Systems Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan Medical School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Westminster College, Utah, and a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan. She worked as a research coordinator in the Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Department at Michigan Medicine for two years, which led to her primary research interest in developing and utilizing patient data registries to improve health outcomes. In addition, she has a research focus on the collection and standardization of social needs data as a method to improve health equity.
AJA SHARMA & LINA ABU TAWEELEH
Proposal: Our project aims to implement an asynchronous electronic consult program between University of Michigan Health and Federally Qualified Health Centers in Michigan to increase access to specialty care for underserved populations. We hope to leverage technology to bridge the gap between primary care and specialty services, reduce barriers to care, and improve health outcomes for underserved patients.
Aja Sharma (she/her) is a first-year medical student at the University of Michigan. She is from Pleasanton, California and earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Williams College. After college, she worked as a caregiver for patients belonging to underserved communities. As a caregiver, she observed firsthand and worked with her clients to help navigate the various barriers they faced to access healthcare and wellbeing. Her professional interests include LGBTQ+ health, health access, and preventative medicine.
Lina Abu Taweeleh (she/her) is a first-year medical student at the University of Michigan Medical School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in human biology with a concentration in global health from Stanford University. Prior to medical school, Lina worked at a Federally Qualified Health Center in East Palo Alto where she learned how to improve the health of underserved communities with diverse health needs. She has also led several projects to improve chronic disease care for marginalized communities as well as expand health research capacity in the Middle East. Her professional interests include improving health systems and healthcare delivery for historically underserved patient populations.
OLUBUKOLA ADENIKE TIKARE
Proposal: Bridging the Cancer Care Gap: Improving Breast Cancer Screening to Address Disparities and Promote Health Equity through Community Health Worker Intervention in Underserved Communities.
I am a first-year PhD student in the Health Services Research track of the Clinical Pharmacy Translational Sciences program at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. My journey in healthcare began with earning a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria, followed by a Master’s in Clinical Pharmacy, International Practice, and Policy from the School of Pharmacy, University of London. My professional experience as an oncology pharmacist further deepened my understanding of the systemic challenges that underserved communities face in accessing timely and effective care. My passion for health equity is rooted in these experiences and the impact I’ve seen disparities have on individuals and families. My research focuses on community-driven approaches to addressing healthcare inequities, particularly in cancer prevention and management. I am committed to developing innovative, culturally sensitive interventions that empower vulnerable populations and improve access to essential care. As a pharmacist and researcher, I am driven by the belief that everyone deserves equitable healthcare, regardless of their background. My goal is to contribute to creating a healthcare system where disparities are eliminated, and every individual can achieve the best possible health outcomes.
MANIKANDAN PANDIYAN
Proposal: My project proposes developing Biochar-based water filtration systems using plant derived biomass (e.g. wood chips) at the U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens to address water contamination and health disparities in Michigan. This promotes health equity by providing scalable, sustainable solutions for clean water access in underserved communities.
I am a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, driven by a passion for environmental sustainability and community well-being. My research focuses on transforming non-food biomass, like wet organic waste, into energy products through hydrothermal liquefaction, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve waste management, and create sustainable energy solutions. I grew up in a rural farming community in India, where I saw how limited resources affected people’s health and livelihoods. These experiences shaped my desire to work on reducing these challenges. I believe that environmental health and public health are closely connected. Issues like Michigan Flint water crisis show how important it is to find solutions that help communities directly. My goal is to use my PhD research to create simple, effective technologies that reduce environmental pollution and provide clean water, especially for communities that face the biggest challenges. I want to help make sure everyone has access to the basics they need for a healthier life.
YIJUN ZOU
Proposal: This program uses a practical, community-based approach—combining a “food as medicine” prescription system, a community-led food entrepreneur incubator, and a real-time food access map—to directly address food insecurity and improve health equity in underserved South Michigan communities.
My name is Yijun, and I am passionate about advocating for health equity and addressing systemic disparities using my expertise in nutritional science, public health, and health communication. I am pursuing my MS degree in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan, where my research focuses on nutritional epidemiology, examining the impact of different dietary patterns on glycemic control in individuals with diabetes. My professional experience includes conducting community nutrition interventions, optimizing food systems for underserved populations, and creating accessible nutrition education content.
My commitment to social equity is evident in my involvement with PHAST, and I helped the project in the Adolescents Health Initiative by leading parent-adolescent focus groups to develop tools that improve communication on sensitive health topics. During my undergraduate studies, I served on the Student Wellbeing and Advisory Board, collaborating with stakeholders to create health education materials, organize campus tours, and enhance access to wellness resources for new students.
With skills in statistical analysis, bilingual communication, and program design, I am equipped to address complex health challenges. I am inspired by initiatives that empower communities through sustainable strategies, focusing on the intersection of nutrition, culture, and equitable access to resources to create lasting health outcomes.