The American Medical Association Foundation is elated to welcome the newest cohort of its Leadership Development Institute (LDI). The program is designed to cultivate a diverse group of medical students committed to serving their patients and communities. It aligns with the foundation’s strategic goals by advancing medical education and leadership, supporting the nation’s physicians, and ultimately promoting health care equity and reducing disparities.

The LDI offers participants a unique opportunity to acquire the skills and insights necessary for leadership in medicine. The year-long program kicks off with a weekend retreat in September where students will connect with peers and AMA Foundation leaders to lay the groundwork for a year of growth and learning.

A key component of the program is formal mentorship from members of the AMA House of Delegates. These experienced physician leaders will provide personalized guidance and support to help students navigate the challenges and opportunities of their final year and beyond. Additionally, monthly webinars will offer ongoing education and discussions on critical health care topics.

The LDI culminates in a special event at the AMA Annual Meeting in June 2025 when participants will celebrate their achievements with their peers and reflect on their transformative journey.

The AMA Foundation is proud to support these future leaders as they prepare to make a lasting impact on health care.

Meet the Cohort

Mohammed Alfarra

A fourth-year medical student at A.T. Still University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Mohammed Alfarra is deeply committed to health equity and patient advocacy. His leadership in a student diversity club, medical rotations in under-resourced hospitals, and research into alternative treatments for antibiotic resistance highlight his dedication to community service and medicine. As a crisis counselor at Hope’s Kitchen, Alfarra continues to embody a strong foundation in leadership, research, and service, aiming to make a significant impact by advocating for underserved communities.

Anisha Dash

Anisha Dash, a fourth-year medical student at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), is dedicated to health equity and advocacy. She holds a bachelor’s in urban studies and community health. Dash has served as a student delegate for the Tennessee Medical Association, co-president of the American Medical Student Association, and founder of ETSU’s first Best Buddies chapter. Her research at St. Jude Children’s Hospital and publications highlight her academic excellence. Committed to community service, she has volunteered at free clinics, focusing on patient education and access to care, aiming to bridge health care gaps through internal medicine.

Kate Dickinson

Kate Dickinson is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine pursuing a career in surgery. Her focus is on providing care to underserved populations affected by vascular disease and trauma. As the medical chair of the American Medical Women’s Association Gun Violence Taskforce, she co-produces the podcast “Unloading,” which advocates for firearm injury prevention. Passionate about mentoring, Dickinson has participated in local health care pathway programs for high school students and researched how these programs impact their communities.

Christopher Farkouh

Christopher Farkouh, a fourth-year medical student at Rush Medical College, is passionate about preventive medicine and holistic health. With a bachelor’s in anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis, he understands the cultural, social, and economic factors influencing health. Farkouh founded Paquete Sol, a nonprofit providing organic, skin-safe protection products to high-risk areas, and created Research Connect, a free online platform for health care professionals to collaborate and share knowledge. His work reflects his commitment to improving health outcomes through innovative solutions and community-focused initiatives.

Kate Ničev Holland

A second-generation Macedonian American from Akron, Ohio, Kate Ničev Holland is a rising fourth-year medical student at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. Her background in cultural anthropology, biology, and history emphasizes a strong foundation in medicine. As an undergraduate at Ohio State, she interned at the Smithsonian, studying traditional Chinese medicine, and worked with the Himalayan Institute on Indo-Tibetan cultural practices. She also led Project Nicaragua, improving education and health care access in rural communities. At UCLA, she focuses on global health equity and cultural approaches to health care.

Shivani Jain

Shivani Jain is completing her MD at Louisiana State University Health New Orleans School of Medicine with prior graduate training in medical genetics, epidemiology, and global health. Jain has led a global health-focused nonprofit for over a decade and serves on the Costs of Care STARS National Advisory Board. An Albert Schweitzer Fellow for Life and Marshall Scholar, she is also involved in her school’s honors council, Interprofessional Scholars Program, and Latino Health Scholars Program. Jain is passionate about improving high-value care, transparency, and reducing waste in health care systems.

Sherrita McClain-Gierach

Sherrita McClain-Gierach, a fourth-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, holds a bachelor’s in microbiology from the University of Michigan and a master’s in forensic science from Drexel University. With recent induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, she has served as the mid-Michigan medical liaison for the Student National Association of Medicine and as a Dean Student Advisory Council member. McClain-Gierach is also a student representative for the Association of American Medical Colleges. Her research focuses on disparities in surgical outcomes, and she is passionate about medication education and advancing care for marginalized communities.

Shiv Patel

Shiv Patel is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s in biology from Mississippi College. Patel has conducted research in microbiology, radiology, and otolaryngology. He is an active member of the Mississippi State Medical Association and received the Dr. Virginia Stansel Tolbert Award for his contributions to organized medicine. As the organizational student representative for the Association of American Medical Colleges, he also serves as vice chair of the Membership, Engagement & Recruitment Committee for the AMA House of Delegates Medical Student Section, showcasing his leadership and advocacy in medicine.

Jeanette Rios

An aspiring obstetrician and gynecologist, Jeanette Rios is a rising fourth-year medical student pursuing obstetrics and gynecology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, she is dedicated to immigrant health and health equity. Rios volunteers at Mount Sinai’s East Harlem Health Outreach Program (EHHOP), an initiative addressing the needs of uninsured individuals in East Harlem. She serves as the clinical lead for EHHOP’s gynecology clinic, aiming to enhance services and patient education. Rios has also worked with the Libertas Center for Human Rights and the Mount Sinai Human Rights Program.

Emily Serata

Emily Serata is a fourth-year medical student at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU). Before medical school, she was a patient navigator at the Camden Coalition, linking Camden County residents with resources. Passionate about disability advocacy due to her experience with Type 1 Diabetes, Serata led the College Diabetes Network chapter at Tufts University and the Disability Awareness Group at CMSRU. She is involved with the Medical Students with Disability and Chronic Illness national organization and is researching accommodations for the USMLE Step 1 for students with Type 1 Diabetes. Serata also serves as the CMSRU Student Government Association’s secretary-treasurer and plans to apply for internal medicine residency.

Kevin Soltany, MPH

Kevin Soltany, MPH, is a fourth-year medical student and student body president at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He has led student government initiatives to address food insecurity, enhance behavioral health services, and improve sexual misconduct policies. Soltany, who plans to apply for internal medicine residency, is interested in chronic disease prevention, nutrition science, and primary care. He aims to advance health equity through policy, advocacy, and health systems science. Soltany graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s in Middle Eastern studies from Davidson College and earned an Master of Public Health in health policy from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Nicole Uzzo

Nicole Uzzo is a fourth-year medical student at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine-Harlem, with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and psychology from Fordham University and a master’s in physiology from Loyola University Chicago. She is passionate about health care equity, particularly in underserved communities in New York City. Committed to patient advocacy, Uzzo ensures dignity and respect for all patients, regardless of race, gender identity or socioeconomic status. Her authentic approach to medicine is driven by a desire to connect with and serve others, drawing from her diverse experiences to make a meaningful impact.

Monique Westley, PharmD

Student Doctor Monique Westley attends the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine holds a degree in biology from Xavier University of Louisiana with minors in chemistry and double concentrations in history and philosophy. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Florida A&M University. Westley has worked in rural pharmacies and served the Navajo Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Westley’s previous leadership roles include vice president of the Student National Medical Association and chapter president of the Gold Humanism National Honor Society. She aims to use AI and medical devices to enhance health care for the underserved.

Marta Williams

Marta Williams, a fourth-year student at Harvard Medical School, graduated from Luther College and spent a year in Germany as a Fulbright Scholar. At Harvard, she has led the Graduate Council, Student Executive Wellness Committee and the Harvard Student Human Rights Collaborative. She is co-president of the Otolaryngology Interest Group and a delegate to the Massachusetts Medical Society. Williams has conducted research at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, resulting in a presentation at the 2024 Academic Surgical Congress and a publication in The Laryngoscope. She tutors at Kaplan, advises Harvard undergraduates, and volunteers with Hope Medical Scholars, supporting underrepresented students in medicine.

Zheng Hong Tan

Zheng Hong Tan is a final-year MD/PhD candidate at Ohio State University College of Medicine. Passionate about immigrant health and education, he advocates for patients through his work at free clinics. Tan earned his PhD at Nationwide Children’s under Dr. Tendy Chiang, developing tissue-engineered tracheal grafts. He aims to integrate his interests in engineering, medicine, and service as an otolaryngologist-scientist.

About the Leadership Development Institute

The AMA Foundation Leadership Development Institute (LDI) is dedicated to cultivating a diverse cohort of aspiring physician leaders committed to serving their communities’ needs and improving our nation’s health. The LDI offers medical students entering their final year of school a unique opportunity to gain individualized insight into the skills needed to foster their careers as future leaders in medicine. Participants receive professional development and are paired with a mentor who is an experienced physician leader to work with throughout the program year. Activities include a program launch weekend retreat in September, monthly webinars, formal mentorship from a member of the AMA House of Delegates and a culminating event at the AMA Annual Meeting in June. >> Support the Leadership Development Institute <<