Drexel University College of Medicine

Gisela Vargas (2012)
A Johns Hopkins University graduate with leadership commendations in biomedical engineering, Gisela plans to work in primary care and preventive medicine so she is able to make a difference in the lives of patients by promoting healthy living.  Fluent in Spanish, she works closely with the Hispanic population in her clinical rotations and volunteers in the community through her sorority Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and grew up in Maryland.

Ifeoma Nwabuzor (2012)
Born in London of Nigerian parents, Ifeoma lived in Connecticut and is a University of Pennsylvania graduate.  She taught HIV/AIDS and substance abuse education, volunteered at CHOP during her time at Penn, and did research at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.  She has been enjoying her clinical rotations and plans to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology so that she can continue her commitment to improving the lives of women.

Donyell Doram (2013)
A biotechnology and biochemistry graduate of Rutgers University, Donyell was recently inducted into the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society. She has a passion for community service and currently volunteers as a tutor to middle and high school students from North Philadelphia and with outreach programs that encourage girls to pursue careers in science, engineering and math.

Alicia Howard (2013)
Alicia, who grew up in North Carolina and is a graduate of Howard University, aspires to be an endocrinologist. Alicia is actively involved in the Student National Medical Association and volunteers at the Eliza Shirley Clinic, an emergency shelter for women and children in Philadelphia. She recently completed a Master’s Degree in Public Health while simultaneously pursing her medical degree.  Alicia’s scholarship is fully funded by the Sunshine Lady Foundation.

Stephanie Johnson (2013)
Now in her fourth year rotations working in a free clinic in Pittsburgh, Stephanie has developed an interest in helping adolescents in underserved communities and tutors a small group of neighborhood children in math and science.  She plans to specialize in Family Medicine so that she is able to work with patients throughout their lives and develop strong relationships with them.

Sharrón Manuel (2013)
MD/PhD Program
Originally from West Virginia, Ronni is one of the original Woman One Scholars.  She has been pursuing dual MD/PhD degrees and recently finished the coursework, research and thesis necessary for her PhD.  Now focusing on her clinical rotations in medical school, Ronni hopes to become a “compassionate physician who puts the patient first.”

Carla Zeballos (2013)
Carla was born in Bolivia, but grew up in Virginia and is a graduate of University of Virginia.  She  served as co-president of the Latino Medical Student Association at DUCOM in which she volunteered in the community – tutoring, mentoring and presenting health programs to underserved populations in North Philadelphia.  Carla won the 2010-2011 Dr. Jaime H. Rivera-Velez Award for Outstanding Community Service.

Chinwe Ibeh (2014)
A graduate of Columbia University, Chinwe is originally from Nigeria. In addition to earning honors grades in all of her first year medical school courses, she is currently involved with a community outreach program for senior citizens. Chinwe has an interest in research and recently obtained her fourth publication in colon cancer research.

Nejat Merdato (2014)
Nejat was born in Ethiopia, moved to Maryland as a teenager and is a graduate of the University of Maryland.  Now entering her third year of medical school, she volunteers at several school-run health clinics in the Philadelphia area and spent the summer of 2011 in Ethiopia, working with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity providing medical care and education in hygiene and other health-related topics.

Michelle Ballentyne, M.D. —2011
Michelle is a native of Jamaica and graduate of Temple University who worked fulltime to support herself through college while volunteering to help the elderly and disabled. In summer 2008, Michelle was a research assistant in the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine program, and recently traveled to Kenya on a medical mission trip. She is currently a resident at Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia.

Janielle Hyde, M.D. — 2011
Janielle is a graduate of Howard University with roots in Canada, Jamaica, and Florida. In her second year of medical school,, she volunteered as a reading tutor for local 5th and 6th grade students and also became involved with Student National Medical Association. She plans to pursue neurology at Georgetown University Hospital.

Edwina Coleman, M.D. — 2010
Edwina came from Umatilla, Florida, to Drexel University College of Medicine with bachelor's and master's degrees in science. Edwina held leadership roles in the Student National Medical Society, and her interests lie in OB/GYN and emergency medicine. Edwina's scholarship was fully funded by The Sunshine Lady Foundation.  She is currently a resident at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA.

Emila Cuneo, M.D. — 2009
Emilia is a family medicine resident at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. With a passion for women's health and caring for patients with HIV/AIDS, Emilia plans to pursue fellowships in these disciplines upon completion of her residency.

Keri Fugarolas, M.D. — 2009
Keri is a resident in pediatrics at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.  She is bilingual and is dedicated to serving St. Christopher’s Spanish-speaking patient population.

Veronica Ramirez, M.D. — 2009
Veronica returned to her native California to become a resident in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Central California – UC San Francisco.  She was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in her fourth year at DUCOM. Veronica’s Woman One scholarship was funded by the Suzanne Roberts Cultural Development Fund.

Annette Lopez, M.D. — 2008    
Annette was recently  named chief resident in emergency medicine at Albert Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia. Prior to graduation in 2008, she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

LaToia Marks, M.D. — 2008
LaToia is an OB/GYN resident at the University of Texas at Houston, Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. A Houston native, she returned to her home community to treat underserved patients who continue to recover from hurricane devastation of recent years.  LaToia’s Woman One Scholarship was funded by AmeriChoice.