Health Advocates for the 2024-2025 Academic Year
Adriana Apana
Pomona College 2027
Adriana Apana is a sophomore, Class of 2027, at Pomona College. She is currently on the Pre-Health Track and thinking of majoring in something related to STEM and possibly a dance major or minor. On the side, she loves to continue her passions in dance, which she has trained in the styles of jazz, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, etc. for the past decade. Born and raised in Hawai’i, she also is a major foodie. She is currently missing Hawaiian Food, Zippy’s Chili, Poke Bowls, and is obsessed with boba drinks. Her future career goal is to become a pediatrician, as she loves working with children through teaching dance and volunteering at her local Children’s Museum back in Oahu.
Pomona College 2027
Adriana Apana is a sophomore, Class of 2027, at Pomona College. She is currently on the Pre-Health Track and thinking of majoring in something related to STEM and possibly a dance major or minor. On the side, she loves to continue her passions in dance, which she has trained in the styles of jazz, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, etc. for the past decade. Born and raised in Hawai’i, she also is a major foodie. She is currently missing Hawaiian Food, Zippy’s Chili, Poke Bowls, and is obsessed with boba drinks. Her future career goal is to become a pediatrician, as she loves working with children through teaching dance and volunteering at her local Children’s Museum back in Oahu.
Amid Louis
Pomona College 2026
Amid is in their third year at Pomona College, majoring in Psychological Science on the pre-PA track, with a Chemistry minor. They aspire to work in the healthcare sector and hope to pursue a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies or School Psychology as they wish to focus on adolescence mental health, education, and service. Outside of school, they love reading, being terrible at art, spending time with friends, and playing ukulele and guitar. As a first-gen and low-income immigrant themself, Amid joined Health Bridges as they felt that Health Bridges’ mission and values align very well with their own, and wished to work with underserved communities as a way of giving back
Pomona College 2026
Amid is in their third year at Pomona College, majoring in Psychological Science on the pre-PA track, with a Chemistry minor. They aspire to work in the healthcare sector and hope to pursue a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies or School Psychology as they wish to focus on adolescence mental health, education, and service. Outside of school, they love reading, being terrible at art, spending time with friends, and playing ukulele and guitar. As a first-gen and low-income immigrant themself, Amid joined Health Bridges as they felt that Health Bridges’ mission and values align very well with their own, and wished to work with underserved communities as a way of giving back
Ananya Vinay
Pomona College 2027
Ananya Vinay (she/her) is a sophomore at Pomona College majoring in neuroscience. She is an Arts and Culture features writer for The Student Life, a volunteer at local elementary schools, and conducts chemistry research. In her free time, she enjoys reading and dance. In the future, Ananya aspires to be a physician.
Pomona College 2027
Ananya Vinay (she/her) is a sophomore at Pomona College majoring in neuroscience. She is an Arts and Culture features writer for The Student Life, a volunteer at local elementary schools, and conducts chemistry research. In her free time, she enjoys reading and dance. In the future, Ananya aspires to be a physician.
Andy Butler
Pomona College 2026 Andy is a junior chemistry major at Pomona College on the Pre-Health track. Originally from Boston, he is a member of the Pomona-Pitzer football team and enjoys watching movies. On campus, he is involved in chemistry research and several mentorship programs for the Chemistry and Pre-Health departments. In the future, he intends to go to medical school or continue chemistry research for a graduate program. |
Annabelle Thun
Claremont McKenna College 2028 Annabelle Thun (she/her) is a freshman at CMC, and is from Los Angeles. She is majoring in Integrated Sciences, and discovered her interest in medical equity while volunteering in downtown Los Angeles during high school. While working there she learned more about the local community, and found a passion for increasing health equity. In the future, she is interested in going further into the field of public health and medicine. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends. |
Ari Taubenfeld
Pomona College 2026 Use he/him pronouns , From Eugene Oregon, Majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in chemistry, In the future I want to pursue an MD supporting patients with a sense of cultural competency, Hobbies are going exploring out in the woods, playing board games and card games with friends, and completing escape rooms |
Belén Lina Padilla
Scripps College 2025
Belén (She/They) is a senior at Scripps College majoring in Psychology & Spanish on the Pre-Medical track. Her hobbies involve dance, badminton, anime, and video games. Her career goals are to become an OB/GYN along the United States-Mexico border providing OB/GYN healthcare to crossing migrants.
Scripps College 2025
Belén (She/They) is a senior at Scripps College majoring in Psychology & Spanish on the Pre-Medical track. Her hobbies involve dance, badminton, anime, and video games. Her career goals are to become an OB/GYN along the United States-Mexico border providing OB/GYN healthcare to crossing migrants.
Betsaida Quevedo
Claremont McKenna College 2027
Betsaida (Saida) is a second year at Claremont Mckenna College from Los Angeles, California hoping to major in Neuroscience or Psychology with a dual in Chicanx/Latinx studies. She joined Health Bridges in hopes to accomplish her goal of helping people like those in her community who suffer from health disparities and barriers. Coming from Los Angeles, she hopes to work closely with those in her community through Healthbridges. She hopes to one day attend Medical school or PA school after undergrad in order to help the Los Angeles community as a healthcare professional who grew up in the same area.
Claremont McKenna College 2027
Betsaida (Saida) is a second year at Claremont Mckenna College from Los Angeles, California hoping to major in Neuroscience or Psychology with a dual in Chicanx/Latinx studies. She joined Health Bridges in hopes to accomplish her goal of helping people like those in her community who suffer from health disparities and barriers. Coming from Los Angeles, she hopes to work closely with those in her community through Healthbridges. She hopes to one day attend Medical school or PA school after undergrad in order to help the Los Angeles community as a healthcare professional who grew up in the same area.
Camila Arzate
Claremont McKenna College 2026 Camila Arzate (she/her) is a junior at Claremont McKenna College, majoring in Human Biology and on the Pre-PA track. From San Diego, Camila is passionate about healthcare and community service, serving as a Spanish medical translator for Healing Hearts Across Borders. She is involved in various organizations on campus, including teaching flute through Music Mentors, 5C Health Link board member, Music Mania, and the Claremont Gerontology Club. In her free time, Camila enjoys photography, reading, and spending time in nature. |
Chisato Kamakura
Claremont McKenna College 2027 Chisato (she/her) is a sophomore at Claremont McKenna College studying neuroscience on the pre-med/PhD track. She hopes to leverage her interests in biological research, linguistics, and education to contribute to Health Bridges' mission of equitable healthcare. In her free time, Chisato enjoys reading, playing the violin, baking, and taking long naps! |
Dicle Acu
Pomona College 2027
Dicle Acu (she/her) is a first-year student at Pomona College, from Eskisehir, Turkey. She intends to major in Neuroscience and Chemistry. She hopes to pursue an MD/PhD degree. She loves sailing, playing volleyball (either beach or court!), listening to music, and baking. She also loves spending time with her friends and tasting coffee!
Pomona College 2027
Dicle Acu (she/her) is a first-year student at Pomona College, from Eskisehir, Turkey. She intends to major in Neuroscience and Chemistry. She hopes to pursue an MD/PhD degree. She loves sailing, playing volleyball (either beach or court!), listening to music, and baking. She also loves spending time with her friends and tasting coffee!
Erlin Lopez Rodas
Scripps College 2025
Erlin is a first generation, daughter of two hardworking immigrant parents in hopes of achieving a career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She is currently a junior at Scripps College pursing a degree in Human Biology and Chicanx/Latinx Studies.
She was first interested in Health Bridges when she heard about the opportunity to help her community of Latino/a/x and be able to create connections between doctor and patient through helping break the language barrier present. Seeing her parents be discriminated against when they were visibly sick is what initially drew her to healthcare and to have the opportunity and ability to close the inequity gap in the healthcare system in any way is why she chose to do Health Bridges. She hopes to help as many families or people as possible through this opportunity. Lastly, she loves to play soccer on her free time and read a lot of books!!
Scripps College 2025
Erlin is a first generation, daughter of two hardworking immigrant parents in hopes of achieving a career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She is currently a junior at Scripps College pursing a degree in Human Biology and Chicanx/Latinx Studies.
She was first interested in Health Bridges when she heard about the opportunity to help her community of Latino/a/x and be able to create connections between doctor and patient through helping break the language barrier present. Seeing her parents be discriminated against when they were visibly sick is what initially drew her to healthcare and to have the opportunity and ability to close the inequity gap in the healthcare system in any way is why she chose to do Health Bridges. She hopes to help as many families or people as possible through this opportunity. Lastly, she loves to play soccer on her free time and read a lot of books!!
Eva Chen
Pomona College 2027
Eva is a student from Pomona College in the Class of 2027 who intends to major in chemistry and minor in music. Originally from Orange County, she enjoys playing the violin in the Pomona College Orchestra and engaging in badminton or table tennis during her free time. A dedicated volunteer, Eva actively contributes to teaching children music and STEM subjects. She aspires to become a medical doctor and continue research in a chemistry lab.
Pomona College 2027
Eva is a student from Pomona College in the Class of 2027 who intends to major in chemistry and minor in music. Originally from Orange County, she enjoys playing the violin in the Pomona College Orchestra and engaging in badminton or table tennis during her free time. A dedicated volunteer, Eva actively contributes to teaching children music and STEM subjects. She aspires to become a medical doctor and continue research in a chemistry lab.
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Jade Saunders
Claremont McKenna College 2025
Jade Saunders is a senior who is dual majoring in Biology and Chinese. She is from Vancouver, Canada but grew up in Hong Kong. Jade swims for CMS, is a co-founder of the 5C Triathlon Club and loves hiking/skiing in her spare time. Jade is on the Pre-Med track and plans to pursue a career as a physician (she is particularly interested in Emergency Medicine).
Claremont McKenna College 2025
Jade Saunders is a senior who is dual majoring in Biology and Chinese. She is from Vancouver, Canada but grew up in Hong Kong. Jade swims for CMS, is a co-founder of the 5C Triathlon Club and loves hiking/skiing in her spare time. Jade is on the Pre-Med track and plans to pursue a career as a physician (she is particularly interested in Emergency Medicine).
Jason Xu
Pomona College 2026
Jason Xu is a Pomona College neuroscience major. He finds joy in meeting and forming bonds with others and wishes to apply the skills and knowledge he has learned to something meaningful. Outside of class, he enjoys playing the guitar and traveling.
Pomona College 2026
Jason Xu is a Pomona College neuroscience major. He finds joy in meeting and forming bonds with others and wishes to apply the skills and knowledge he has learned to something meaningful. Outside of class, he enjoys playing the guitar and traveling.
JJ Hoffman
Pomona College 2026
JJ Hoffman is a junior from Los Angeles, majoring in Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Biology. Although he is interested in pursuing an MD degree after Pomona, he is also interested in public health issues and how they affect certain communities. In addition to being a Health Advocate for Health Bridges, JJ is a Prehealth Liaison, a mentor for the Asian American Mentorship Program, and runs in the Claremont Running Club. He also enjoys playing board games with his friends.
Pomona College 2026
JJ Hoffman is a junior from Los Angeles, majoring in Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Biology. Although he is interested in pursuing an MD degree after Pomona, he is also interested in public health issues and how they affect certain communities. In addition to being a Health Advocate for Health Bridges, JJ is a Prehealth Liaison, a mentor for the Asian American Mentorship Program, and runs in the Claremont Running Club. He also enjoys playing board games with his friends.
Joana Antonio
Pomona College 2025 Joana Antonio (she/her) is a Pomona senior majoring in Linguistics with an intended minor in Biology, while on the pre-medical track. As a Mexican-Salvadoran FLGI student, she has a passion for bringing mental health awareness, breaking language barriers and uplifting her communities through service. Having experienced health disparities first-hand and its impact on the people she loves, she joined Health Bridges in the efforts to provide more accessible health resources. In the future, she hopes to be a practicing physician providing accessible, cultural-competent care to her communities in South Central LA. Currently, if she isn't spends her time doing work for Health Bridges, you can find her dancing, trying new foods, and learning new languages. |
Katie Huh
Claremont McKenna College 2026 Katie is a Junior at CMC majoring in neuroscience on the cell and molecular track. She is drawn to Health Bridges as it intersects her passion for health equity and mental health advocacy. In her free time, she loves to crochet, be outdoors, and discover new coffee shops with friends! Katie hopes to work with a diverse range of people to learn how to effectively build trust with patients and become a more empathetic physician in the future. |
Kayleen Sorto
Scripps College 2025 Originally from Dallas, Kayleen is a senior at Scripps College majoring in Human Biology. As someone who is passionate about addressing inequalities associated with language barrier and healthcare access, she was drawn to Health Bridges and their mission to make healthcare more accessible and equitable to all. After graduation, she would like to pursue a career in medicine by becoming a physician and earning a masters in public health. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, painting, and listening to music. |
Kelley Delgadillo
Pomona College 2025 Meet Kelley (she/her)! Kelley is a senior at Pomona majoring in Biology!! She loves crunchy peanut butter, outdoor runs on gloomy days, and is interested in public health. She is looking forward to being a part of the Community Partnerships pod and taking on projects focused on addressing health discrepancies in nearby underserved communities. |
Kendrick Cua
Pomona College 2025
This is Kendrick Cua (he/him/his). He's a junior at Pomona majoring in Public Policy Analysis with a Bio Concentration. A few of his hobbies including napping, spending time with friends, journaling, and late-night drives. He also enjoys following gymnastics and swimming. He's excited to work this year on PCCEC Workshop Series as well as the MALO Youth Grant Workshops. He isn't sure about his career goals specifically, but is interested in pursuing an MPH, as well as work in the healthcare field in the future.
Pomona College 2025
This is Kendrick Cua (he/him/his). He's a junior at Pomona majoring in Public Policy Analysis with a Bio Concentration. A few of his hobbies including napping, spending time with friends, journaling, and late-night drives. He also enjoys following gymnastics and swimming. He's excited to work this year on PCCEC Workshop Series as well as the MALO Youth Grant Workshops. He isn't sure about his career goals specifically, but is interested in pursuing an MPH, as well as work in the healthcare field in the future.
Kira Apodaca
Pomona College 2026
Kira (she/her) is a junior at Pomona College majoring in chemistry from Seattle, WA. She enjoys hiking/backpacking, playing soccer, and listening/playing music with her friends. On campus Kira is also an intern at the Asian American Resource Center where she is a co-director of the Saturday Tongan Education Program. She is also a coach for the 5C Girls in Lifting and Fitness club. Kira is hoping to pursue a career in medicine as an MD.
Pomona College 2026
Kira (she/her) is a junior at Pomona College majoring in chemistry from Seattle, WA. She enjoys hiking/backpacking, playing soccer, and listening/playing music with her friends. On campus Kira is also an intern at the Asian American Resource Center where she is a co-director of the Saturday Tongan Education Program. She is also a coach for the 5C Girls in Lifting and Fitness club. Kira is hoping to pursue a career in medicine as an MD.
Mame Baffour-Awuah
Pomona College 2026 My name is Mame Baffour-Awuah, a Pomona junior studying Psychology on the Pre-Med track. I hope to pursue a career in the healthcare field, aspiring to become a psychiatrist. I am passionate about health equity, culturally competent health care and dismantling stigmas surrounding mental especially in POC communities. In my free time, I love to curate playlists, read, and watch crime tv shows :) |
Marina Saffold
Pomona College 2026 Marina is a Pomona junior on the pre-med track. She aspires to attend medical school and possibly pursue an MD-PhD as she is passionate about service, education, and working with patients. She felt inspired by Health Bridges' mission to meet communities where they are and make healthcare more accessible. As a first-generation college student herself, she works with PAYS students as a college advisor, tutor, and now health advocate in Health Bridge's educational outreach pod. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and learning to play piano. |
Ivyer Qu
Pomona College 2026 Ivyer is a junior at Pomona College studying neuroscience with a concentration in computational neuroscience. Originally from Kansas City, Ivyer is interested in using computational tools to better understand the brain. She is passionate about health equity and accessibility for ESL communities, especially for the elderly. Outside of class, Ivyer enjoys journaling, lifting at the gym, and trying new cafe drink recipes. |
Natalia Alameda
Scripps College 2025 Natalia Alameda (she/her/ella) is a senior at Scripps majoring in Human Biology, on the pre-med track. She is from the border city of Progreso, Texas, and she witnessed the inaccessibility to healthcare within her community. As a result, Natalia is determined to serving her community and contributing to dismantling language barriers in healthcare. After her gap years, she intends to go to medical school and develop in a specialization to further contribute to her community’s needs. In her free time, she loves reading books, going to the gym, and exploring coffee shops with friends. |
Natalie Velázquez
Pomona College 2026 Natalie (she/her) is a first-generation/low-income student majoring in Psychological Science at Pomona. She is from Chicago and is a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. Natalie intends on attending graduate school for public health and possibly, developmental psychology, with a specific interest on the mental health of youth of color. She is passionate about community based efforts and practices, addressing healthcare inequities, and culturally competent care. Her goal is to someday be able to open a community mental health center in the city. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside in nature, reading, and spending time with loved ones. |
Nathalie Alexandra Espinoza
Pitzer College 2026 Nathalie Alexandra Espinoza (she/her) is a junior at Pitzer College majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in English on the pre-med track. Growing up as a Mexican & Nicaraguan on the south side of Chicago, she hopes to give back to the community that raised her to work hard and help those in need by becoming a pediatric cardiologist. She’s a Medical Assistant for a podiatric clinic back home, on the Pomona-Pitzer Track & Field team as a high jumper, is the president and founder of Claremont Medical Brigades, and has published a fantasy novel with Open Books Publishing. In her free time, she loves to go to the gym, read, write, play the violin, and hang out with her friends! |
Ryan Mooney
Pomona College 2027
This is Ryan Mooney. He is a second-year at Pomona College from outside Denver, Colorado. He intends to major in Molecular Biology and minor in Spanish. He aspires to go to medical school, either pursuing an MD or MD/PhD program. He likes to read, crochet, learn languages, and play piano! Ryan learned about Health Bridges and found an intersection of many of the things he is passionate about, and he is excited to use his Spanish fluency and passion to work for the cause of Health Bridges for many years to come.
Pomona College 2027
This is Ryan Mooney. He is a second-year at Pomona College from outside Denver, Colorado. He intends to major in Molecular Biology and minor in Spanish. He aspires to go to medical school, either pursuing an MD or MD/PhD program. He likes to read, crochet, learn languages, and play piano! Ryan learned about Health Bridges and found an intersection of many of the things he is passionate about, and he is excited to use his Spanish fluency and passion to work for the cause of Health Bridges for many years to come.
Simone Pradhan
Scripps College 2028 Simone is a freshman from San Diego, CA at Scripps College, majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. Simone is passionate about being able to serve her community, and is especially passionate about health equity, and ensuring medical care is accessible to all. Some of her hobbies include going to the beach, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. |
Sophia Wen
Scripps College 2028 Sophia Wen is a first-year student at Scripps College and from Irvine in Orange County, California. She is majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Music on the pre-med track. Passionate about medicine, education, and social justice, she is eager to lead projects that reduce issues of socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare, and is excited to uplift communities through service to build towards a more equitable future. In her free time, she enjoys photography, food, boba, cooking & baking, playing & listening to music, and traveling. |
Alex Davis
Scripps College 2024
Alex is in her fourth year at Scripps College studying Human Biology. She is a Health Advocate Coordinator and passionate about Health Bridges’ mission because she has witnessed the influence of a language barrier in healthcare and how much it affects how often people seek treatment that they have a right to. She joined Health Bridges because she believes that hospitals should be a comfortable and culturally competent environment rather than a place of fear. After college she aspires to study medicine to be able to provide medical care to those in areas that are underrepresented and therefore lack the means to provide the treatment everyone deserves.
Scripps College 2024
Alex is in her fourth year at Scripps College studying Human Biology. She is a Health Advocate Coordinator and passionate about Health Bridges’ mission because she has witnessed the influence of a language barrier in healthcare and how much it affects how often people seek treatment that they have a right to. She joined Health Bridges because she believes that hospitals should be a comfortable and culturally competent environment rather than a place of fear. After college she aspires to study medicine to be able to provide medical care to those in areas that are underrepresented and therefore lack the means to provide the treatment everyone deserves.
Trisha Gongalore
Pomona College 2025 Trisha Gongalore is a sophomore at Pomona College interested in pursuing a major in Neuroscience. Witnessing several family members suffer from illnesses inspired Trisha to join Health Bridges, and she hopes to continue serving their mission of making health care more easily available and equitable for patients and their families, especially for those who don’t speak English fluently. After college, Trisha intends to pursue a career in the medical field by both working directly with patients and contributing to biomedical research. Lastly, she hopes to always find time for hobbies like making music, yoga, trying new foods, and traveling! |
Eduardo Guzmán
Eduardo (Eddy) Guzmán is a senior at Pitzer College majoring in Psychology and minoring in Economics. Being a first-generation Peruvian from San Francisco, he has witnessed a lot of language barriers and is familiar with the variety of barriers that immigrants in particular experience on a day-to-day basis. Health Bridge's mission of providing accessibility and support for limited English speakers and those in need resonates with Eddy so he hopes to help the community in whatever way possible. Eddy is looking to further his career as a Physical Therapist or Physician Assistant in the next couple of years as assisting others is a passion and there is not much Latino representation in the medical field. Finally, some of his hobbies include going to the gym, playing sports, and spending quality time with family and friends!
Eduardo (Eddy) Guzmán is a senior at Pitzer College majoring in Psychology and minoring in Economics. Being a first-generation Peruvian from San Francisco, he has witnessed a lot of language barriers and is familiar with the variety of barriers that immigrants in particular experience on a day-to-day basis. Health Bridge's mission of providing accessibility and support for limited English speakers and those in need resonates with Eddy so he hopes to help the community in whatever way possible. Eddy is looking to further his career as a Physical Therapist or Physician Assistant in the next couple of years as assisting others is a passion and there is not much Latino representation in the medical field. Finally, some of his hobbies include going to the gym, playing sports, and spending quality time with family and friends!
Naeemah Haymon
Pomona College 2024 Naeemah is a Pomona junior from Chicago, Illinois majoring in Neuroscience. She is passionate about health care and mentorship. She is a member of both the MALO and PAYS pod. Her mission as a Health Advocate is to empower others through health equality, as well as be a resource to younger students seeking higher education particularly those who share her same goal of working in healthcare! After graduation, she plans on attending dental school. She wants to dedicate her dental practice to providing care to underprivileged communities. |
Yena Jang
Pomona College 2024
Yena is a junior at Pomona College studying Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Biology. She was drawn to the Health Bridges mission and is passionate about making healthcare accessible in underserved communities. She has been involved with the MALO pod for the past two semesters and is excited for their upcoming projects. After college, she plans on attending dental school and hopes to become a dentist who serves as a community advocate and works to bridge the gaps in oral healthcare.
Pomona College 2024
Yena is a junior at Pomona College studying Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Biology. She was drawn to the Health Bridges mission and is passionate about making healthcare accessible in underserved communities. She has been involved with the MALO pod for the past two semesters and is excited for their upcoming projects. After college, she plans on attending dental school and hopes to become a dentist who serves as a community advocate and works to bridge the gaps in oral healthcare.
Jaquelyn Jaramillo
Scripps College 2024
Jaqui Jaramillo is a senior at Scripps College studying Human Biology. She was drawn to Health Bridges having witnessed firsthand the difficulties that can arise due to language and cultural barriers in healthcare settings. Back in her hometown of Colorado, she holds a position as a CNA and volunteers at a children's hospital. Her goal is to become a Physician Assistant and to offer person-centered and culturally competent care to a diverse population.
Scripps College 2024
Jaqui Jaramillo is a senior at Scripps College studying Human Biology. She was drawn to Health Bridges having witnessed firsthand the difficulties that can arise due to language and cultural barriers in healthcare settings. Back in her hometown of Colorado, she holds a position as a CNA and volunteers at a children's hospital. Her goal is to become a Physician Assistant and to offer person-centered and culturally competent care to a diverse population.
Grace Johnson
Taryn Kaneko
Pomona College 2024 Taryn Kaneko is a junior at Pomona College majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Anthropology. She realized her passion for medicine and health equity in volunteering at Adventist Health Castle, where she frequently worked with Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander members of Oahu's patient population. Taryn is excited to be a member of the Community Engagement Team and to work alongside MALO leaders to promote the quality healthcare of Tongan Americans in the Inland Empire. After graduating from Pomona, she aspires to become a physician and return home to serve the people of Hawaii. There, she hopes to apply her lessons learned from Health Bridges and continue to advocate for historically underserved groups in the medical industry. |
Ibrahim Khan
Pomona College 2024
Ibrahim Khan is a senior at Pomona College, studying pre-Med and majoring in Politics. He hopes to pursue a career in psychiatry as well as get involved in politics on a local level. He loves tennis, singing, drumming, and trying new foods!
Pomona College 2024
Ibrahim Khan is a senior at Pomona College, studying pre-Med and majoring in Politics. He hopes to pursue a career in psychiatry as well as get involved in politics on a local level. He loves tennis, singing, drumming, and trying new foods!
Lauren Kim
Pomona College 2024
Lauren Kim is a senior at Pomona College majoring in Psychological Science and minoring in Linguistics. Her post-grad goals include pursuing a PsyD in Clinical Psychology to eventually start her own private practice. Lauren also has a strong passion for dance, as she currently choreographs and teaches contemporary, ballet, and jazz at several dance studios in the Orange County area and is the assistant coach for the Sunny Hills High School dance team. I love working with children and enjoy teaching dance, choreographing, and fashion blogging in my free time.
Pomona College 2024
Lauren Kim is a senior at Pomona College majoring in Psychological Science and minoring in Linguistics. Her post-grad goals include pursuing a PsyD in Clinical Psychology to eventually start her own private practice. Lauren also has a strong passion for dance, as she currently choreographs and teaches contemporary, ballet, and jazz at several dance studios in the Orange County area and is the assistant coach for the Sunny Hills High School dance team. I love working with children and enjoy teaching dance, choreographing, and fashion blogging in my free time.
Abigail Krenz
Pomona College 2026 Abigail Krenz is a freshman at Pomona who hopes to study public policy or international relations. She is passionate about increasing health equity and connecting people to resources across language barriers. In the future, she is interested in working for a non-profit or in the government to support vulnerable communities. In her free time, she enjoys learning languages, cooking, and all things outdoors. |
May Lin
Pomona College 2024 May is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and is from Sacramento, California. After her 2022 summer internship, she aspires to go to medical school and obtain a Master’s in Public Health so she can help underserved communities, specifically in behavioral health. She joined Health Bridges because she hopes to cultivate a culturally sensitive and equitable space for all persons who wish to receive healthcare with her language and management skills. Outside of school, she enjoys weightlifting, playing mahjong with family, being a foodie in SoCal and spending quality time with friends. |
Rahul Niranjan
Pomona College 2026 Rahul is a freshman at Pomona College who is interested in pursuing a career as a physician and working in the healthcare field. Rahul was attracted to Health Bridges because of the program's ability to both enhance his Spanish-speaking experience and also serve as a means of obtaining hospital experience simultaneously. He hopes to attend medical school in the future and obtain a MD. Rahul is passionate about providing healthcare for everyone and focuses on senior well-being as a topic of interest. Outside of community service, Rahul loves to play sports (basketball and tennis) and enjoys traveling the world in his free time. |
Susan Park
Scripps College 2024
Susan is a senior at Scripps College majoring in Human Biology and is from Anaheim, California. In her free time, she likes to play sports (rugby), weightlift, and hang out with her friends. She aspires to become a Registered Nurse and eventually a Nurse Practitioner, with the focus of serving underserved communities and making healthcare accessible.
Scripps College 2024
Susan is a senior at Scripps College majoring in Human Biology and is from Anaheim, California. In her free time, she likes to play sports (rugby), weightlift, and hang out with her friends. She aspires to become a Registered Nurse and eventually a Nurse Practitioner, with the focus of serving underserved communities and making healthcare accessible.
Anna Prewitt
Pomona College 2024
Anna is a senior majoring in Molecular Biology and minoring in English. She loves kayaking, backpacking, and reading young adult novels for the third time, and plans to become a clinician researcher specializing in infectious disease care and vaccine research.
Pomona College 2024
Anna is a senior majoring in Molecular Biology and minoring in English. She loves kayaking, backpacking, and reading young adult novels for the third time, and plans to become a clinician researcher specializing in infectious disease care and vaccine research.
Andrea Pua
Melissa Seecharan
Pomona College 2024 Melissa is a member of the Class of 2024 at Pomona College, and she is from Houston, Texas. She is currently studying Molecular Biology and English, while on the pre-med track, as she hopes to attend medical school after she graduates and specialize in pediatrics or family medicine. In her free time, she likes to swim, bake, and play video games with her friends. She joined Health Bridges because she wanted to work towards ameliorating the inequities in healthcare access caused by the lack of cultural competency. |
Santiago Serrano
Queenie Ta
Pomona College 2024
Queenie is a junior majoring in Science Management at CMC from Ontario, California. In her free time, she enjoys exploring food spots and views in SoCal and taking photos. She also enjoys playing tennis and learning taekwondo. As an FGLI student from the IE, she is passionate about healthcare equity and hopes to pursue healthcare administration as a means of giving back to her community.
Pomona College 2024
Queenie is a junior majoring in Science Management at CMC from Ontario, California. In her free time, she enjoys exploring food spots and views in SoCal and taking photos. She also enjoys playing tennis and learning taekwondo. As an FGLI student from the IE, she is passionate about healthcare equity and hopes to pursue healthcare administration as a means of giving back to her community.
Giovanni Tovar
Pomona College 2024 Gio is a rising Junior majoring in Chicane/Latine Studies on the pre-health track. As a FLI Latino, he is passionate about bridging disparities in healthcare through the community effort that Health Bridges provides. With an appreciation for the Draper Center and prior involvements in Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS), he enjoys branching out and being part of community efforts in the hospital setting working directly with patients. Having experienced difficulties in access by overcoming the language barrier with his family, he hopes to incorporate his positionality in the work that he continues to do. Gio is considering pursuing an MD-PhD program that combines critical/creative thinking through collaboration in the lab and patient care working one on one with individuals to best support their health. |
Sachin Umashankar
Pomona College 2025
Pomona College 2025
Praxie Wairimu
Shelsy Zarate
Pomona College 2025
Shelsy is a Zapotec, first-gen/low-income (FLI) junior at Pomona College majoring in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and Latin American Studies (LAS). She is from South Central Los Angeles, and her and her family’s negative experiences attempting to get access to quality healthcare and insurance in their Medically Underserved Area (MUA) is what continuously motivates her to pursue public health and address health disparities. As a previous Health Advocate at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, she enjoys interacting with patients, health providers, and community members who are also committed to the holistic health of underserved communities. Shelsy enjoys listening to Taylor Swift, RBD, and Harry Styles, loves the color yellow, and hopes to attend an MPH program and promote alternative healing, medicine, and care, all with respect for Indigenous lands and communities.
Pomona College 2025
Shelsy is a Zapotec, first-gen/low-income (FLI) junior at Pomona College majoring in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and Latin American Studies (LAS). She is from South Central Los Angeles, and her and her family’s negative experiences attempting to get access to quality healthcare and insurance in their Medically Underserved Area (MUA) is what continuously motivates her to pursue public health and address health disparities. As a previous Health Advocate at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, she enjoys interacting with patients, health providers, and community members who are also committed to the holistic health of underserved communities. Shelsy enjoys listening to Taylor Swift, RBD, and Harry Styles, loves the color yellow, and hopes to attend an MPH program and promote alternative healing, medicine, and care, all with respect for Indigenous lands and communities.