The AMA Foundation is proud to announce the 2026-27 Leadership Development Institute (LDI) cohort, welcoming 40 medical students from across the country to its yearlong leadership development program.
This year’s cohort represents a significant expansion of the program, reflecting the AMA Foundation’s continued commitment to investing in the next generation of physician leaders.
Through the LDI, participants gain access to mentorship, professional development and educational opportunities designed to strengthen their leadership skills and broaden their understanding of the many ways physicians can make an impact on medicine and their communities.
Since beginning the program in July, participants have engaged in virtual educational sessions exploring topics such as community medicine, public health, health policy and organized medicine. Each student also has the opportunity to connect with experienced physician mentors who provide guidance and insight throughout the program.
This November, the cohort will come together for the first time at the AMA House of Delegates Interim Meeting in Orlando, Fla. The gathering will provide opportunities for students to connect with their peers, engage with physician leaders and gain firsthand exposure to organized medicine.
Throughout the remainder of the program, participants will continue exploring leadership pathways through educational sessions covering research, entrepreneurship, ethics in medicine, nonclinical careers, artificial intelligence in health care and more. The program will culminate at the AMA House of Delegates Annual Meeting in June 2027.
Meet the 2026-27 LDI Cohort
The AMA Foundation congratulates the following 40 medical students selected to participate in this year’s Leadership Development Institute:
Aditya Gunturi | University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Akpewwe Ikoba | Medical College of Wisconsin
Alejandra Sataray-Rodriguez | University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Andreea Chirica | Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Andrew Ibrahim | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
Ashley Kemembim | University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria
Austin Osborn | University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine
Brianna Watson | Howard University College of Medicine
Brittney Jabot | Florida State University College of Medicine
Cade Richesin | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
Dominic Nkemngong | Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Emily Martin | University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Eva Eleftheriadis | Penn State University College of Medicine
Gurnoor Gill | Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University
Isabella Gomes | Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Itisha Jefferson | Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Jake Berg | University of Minnesota Medical School
Jinpyoo Hong | Penn State University College of Medicine
Joel Dumonsau | Creighton University School of Medicine
John McNeil | Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Jona Kerluku | Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Joy Ku | Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Joy Xu | David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Juliet Strauss | Tulane University School of Medicine
Larissa Dixon | University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Logan Helms | Emory University School of Medicine
Mary Conley | Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University
Matthew Lee | Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
Matthew Yan | David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Michelle Busschots | University of Michigan Medical School
Mihir Shah | Stanford University School of Medicine
Mikhil Patel | Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Parneeta Mohapatra | University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine
Parsa Mokhtar | University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine
Purva Joshi | University of Colorado School of Medicine
Salil Gupta | Indiana University School of Medicine
Shani Legore | University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
Steven Daley | Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine
Steven Gong | Stanford University School of Medicine
Varun Kota | University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
The AMA Foundation looks forward to supporting these 40 medical students as they build meaningful connections, develop their leadership skills and prepare to make a lasting impact throughout their careers.
Learn more about the AMA Foundation’s Leadership Development Institute.