July 13th – July 19th, 2013.
2013 Jose's Hands Ambassadors
Oluwatoni Aluko
Oluwatoni (Toni) Aluko, MPH, is a rising second year medical student at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally a native of the quaint state of Maryland, Toniearned her undergraduate degree in Kinesiological Sciences, with minors in Spanish and Community Health, and her Master of Public Health in Community Health Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. When she isn’t perusing through textbooks, Toni enjoys traveling, cooking, sewing, and working out.
Toni currently serves as her class Community Service Chair, and is an avid volunteer in her community through Meharry’s student-run free clinic, Habitat for Humanity, and other local organizations. She also serves as a National Global Health Chair for the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA). She ultimately plans to enter the field of primary care, and hopes to inspire more medical students, particularly those historically underrepresented in medicine, to engage in global health service and leadership experiences.
Patrick Lloyd
My name is Patrick Lloyd, and I am a rising second-year medical student at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2010 with a degree in Theology and Pre-Professional Studies, and spent the next year as a volunteer at Open Arms Home for Children inSouth Africa. Upon returning, I pursued my Master’s Degree in Biomedical Science (Midwestern University) while conducting clinical Lupus research at Northwestern University. In my free time I enjoy swimming and anything that gets me outdoors. As international service is what convinced me to enter medical school, I am excited to be a part of this wonderful mission!
Nick Cramer
I am a first year student at the University of Central Florida – College of Medicine. After graduating from college and working in the business field for 3 years, I disliked where my life was headed, so I chose to return to school to become a physician. As a teenager, I struggled with meningoencephalitis that nearly killed me on multiple occasions. The recovery was arduous since it included complications such as seizures, loss of vision, and depression. The trials I had worked through ultimately made me a stronger person, so I chose to use my experience as a patient to become like the doctors who had saved me. I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to spend a portion of my summer working with Jose’s Hands mission in Panama.
Andrew Nguyen
My name is Andrew Nguyen. I am a rising second year medical student at George Washington Medical School. I was born and raised in Northern California, but now reside in sunny Southern California. I am a huge sports fan. I love playing and watching all sports, especially basketball, football, and tennis. Out of high school, I was accepted to a dual admission BS/MD program, which afforded me the flexibility and opportunity to study both biology and business as an undergrad at St. Bonaventure University, where I received both a BS in Biology and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). I’m still undecided on my future specialty, but would love to work in a field that focuses on close long-term patient care. In the future, I dream of continuing medical volunteering and service, which I have been so fortunate to have started with Jose’s Hands.
Marah Tillman
I am currently a second year medical student at the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami, FL. I previously attended the University of Central Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and Microbiology. I have lived in Miami for most of my life and I have a wide range of interests within the medical field such as global health, emergency medicine, and surgery. I spend my free time reading, surfing, writing, and exercising. I am honored and excited to broaden my horizons as a Jose’s Hands Ambassador on this mission trip to Panama.
Geethi Abraham
My name is Geethi Abraham. I was born and raised on the northside of Chicago. I have a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a M.P.H. in Community Health Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Currently, I am a rising second year medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. I am passionate about improving the health of under-served populations through community-based initiatives and outreach, and I am excited to participate in the Jose’s Hands mission trip to Panama this summer!
Brian Manzi
I am an upcoming second year medical student at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine located in sunny Orlando, Florida. I am originally from Allendale, New Jersey where I was born and raised. I attended Cornell University and graduated with an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Biomedical Engineering. This is my first medical mission trip and I am extremely honored to have the privilege to be a Jose’s Hands Ambassador and assist the community of Arraijan, Panama! I spend most of my free time volunteering at the KNIGHTS student run health clinic and mentoring local college students to help fulfill their dream to attend medical school. I hope someday to be a physician who can make a difference in the world of global health.