Scholar Spotlights
Nestle Ciftci
West Florida AHEC
Health Profession: Pharmacy
Hometown: Gulf Breeze, Florida
Professional interests/goals: I am very interested in gerontology and would like to become board certified in geriatric pharmacy after I graduate.
Fun fact: I speak Turkish.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: it gives you first-hand experience working in an inter-professional team before you join the working force. Inter-professional education is very important to help you learn the value of working as a team and listening to each professions opinion to optimize care for the patient.
Carlos Diaz
Suwannee River AHEC
Health Profession: Pharmacy
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Professional interests/goals: I aspire to be the Dean of a College of Pharmacy to inspire the next generation of pharmacist to be a force for positive change in the healthcare system. On the road to this goal, I hope to either work for a pharmaceutical company in Regulatory Affairs to help bring life-saving and affordable medications to market or as a clinical pharmacist specialist, possibly in areas of Oncology, Emergency Medicine or Psychiatry to provide quality patient care to those in need.
Fun fact: I have an amazing twin sister, who is a Physician Assistant. I speak 3 languages (Spanish, English, and French) and learning a bit of Korean.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: it provides an opportunity to work jointly with motivated upcoming health practitioners (students) to address health disparities that affect many communities. Currently, we are seeing the devastating effects of COVID-19 to communities afflicted with health inequalities, and realizing the importance in these programs (FL-AHEC) to continue forward with their mission to invest in students motivated to serve others and help reduce the health gaps in these communities.
Amber Donald
Suwannee River AHEC
Health Profession: Health Education and Behavior
Hometown: Sunrise, Florida
Professional interests/goals: I aspire to become a physician rooted in public health work, social justice, and love. I would love to open up my own mental health + wellness clinic one day supporting the Black community.
Fun fact: I am President of the Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) at the University of Florida.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: it exposes you to the future of healthcare. It provides a collaborative environment for you to explore issues such as social determinants of health, rural health, community/population health, and so much more!
Barbrielle Ray
Big Bend AHEC
Health Profession: Nursing
Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida
Professional interests/goals: I hope to own a medical store selling diabetic shoes, diabetic test strips, lancets, home blood pressure monitors, etc to those in low-income communities. My goal is to also become a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice).
Fun fact: I can play the violin!
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: it allows students who are interested in healthcare professions to critically think, explore the under-served rural areas and think of ways that the community can be helped. It gives us all the opportunity to be selfless, and give a helping hand.
Charlee Ford
Suwannee River AHEC
Health Profession: Public Health - Epidemiology
Hometown: Riverview, Florida
Professional interests/goals: I have been working with SHARC as the Stigma Contract Coordinator where I have been honored to help lay the ground work for an HIV stigma intervention. In this role, I have been able to create and publish an anti stigma toolkit that can be easily accessed online. In the future, I want to work in a state program focused on assessing best infection control practices for healthcare facilities. I will be taking some time off from academics to gain more experience and then will be applying for my PhD.
Fun fact: I am an ordained Minister for Universal Life Church and a certified Pokémon League Professor.
The AHEC Scholar program: has been an amazing opportunity for me to foster my passion to get involved in my community. It has allowed me to meet and work with other growing professionals in differing field such as pharmacy, nursing, and physical therapy. It is an astounding program to build towards a collaborative professional public health career.
Taylor Mobley
Northeast Florida AHEC
Health Profession: Nursing
Hometown: Yulee, Florida
Professional interests/goals: In the future I plan to become a traveling nurse once I get a few years of experience. Another goal is to further my education by obtaining a masters degree to advance in my career after years of experience.
Fun fact: I’m left handed.
Serving the under-served populations is important because: it gives those in need who are less fortunate a chance in the community to receive medical assistance. One of the main reasons I want to do traveling nursing is to serve in impoverished areas and help decrease health disparities.
Deanna Cordero Da Silva
Northeast Florida AHEC
Health Profession: Pharmacy
Hometown: Aguada, Puerto Rico
Professional interests/goals: I aspire to become an Ambulatory Care Pharmacist where I will contribute to the health of my community, sustain partnerships with patients, and demonstrate my passion towards helping the under-served.
Fun fact: I speak three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese.
The AHEC scholar program is important because: it has helped me learn about the under-served populations that surround our community. Being able to volunteer and give back to my community has filled my heart with joy. Now, as a graduate student I will continue to offer my time and knowledge to plant hope into my community.
Dominique Ferguson
Miami DaDe ahec
Health Profession: Nursing
Hometown: Cutler Bay, Florida
Professional interests/goals: Utilize my nursing skills to lend a helping hand to those in medical need. Also, to make sure all patients receive quality treatment in a timely manner and to provide patient-centered care. I would like to be an ICU nurse or a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Fun fact: I love the outdoors and wildlife even though I am considered a “girly girl”… I enjoy getting my hands dirty.
Working with under-served populations is important because: I grew up in that environment and would like to give back to my community. I enjoy promoting healthy lifestyles, supporting people who struggle with chronic conditions, and helping to prevent illness through immunizations, screening interventions or health education.
Amy Cirelli
Northeast Florida AHEC
Health Profession: Pharmacy
Hometown: Daytona Beach, Florida
Professional interests/goals: Academic and professional leadership experiences have enabled me to follow my passion for promoting the health and welfare of others. I aspire to be a Pediatric Pharmacist and make an impact on my community by inspiring youth, mentoring students, and advocating for those who cannot defend themselves.
Fun fact: I am a proud Fur Mom of 3 huskies and 2 cats.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: it allows me to be a part of educating the community about crucial health topics to keep life long, happy, and fun. Your body is similar to a car engine, for it to work well you have to use the proper fuel, perform the scheduled maintenance, and make repairs as they come along. AHEC provides the owner’s manual to do just that!
Irene Santos
Miami DaDe ahec
Health Profession: Nursing
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Professional interests/goals: Aesthetic/Plastic Surgery Nursing
Fun fact: I have worked in the beauty industry for more than 10 years and am a Florida licensed Cosmetologist, Esthetician, and Body Wrapper.
Inter-professional education is important because: it plays a vital role in constructively improving patient-centered care. Understanding each professional’s role on your team allows you to make more competent decisions and allows you to work together more confidently to ensure that the patient is getting the best possible care.
Courtney Kozar
Gulfcoast North AHEC
Health Profession:Occupational Therapy
Hometown: Laurens, South Carolina
Professional interests/goals: To obtain my doctorate in OT and provide services to my community. I am interested in continuing to work in early intervention settings with diverse client populations.
Fun fact: I am in Kenya providing therapy services at Cerebral Palsy Services Kenya this year!
Rural Health is important because: rural residents often encounter various barriers that prevent them from receiving good health care. The profession of occupational therapy is perfectly positioned to decrease stigmas of rural health, advocate for rural residents, and provide quality service in rural communities.
Hayley Kmetz
Gulfcoast South AHEC
Health Profession: Public Health
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Professional Interests/goals: I would like to be involved in a career in health administration within a doctor's office or hospital.
Fun Fact: I love to run and I am always training for my next race.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: rural and underserved communities often face many more health challenges, yet, do not have access to the same resources that more urban areas do. It is important to give back to this population, and provide as much assistance as we can, in order to improve the health outcomes of the individuals living there.
LaKese Brown
Gulfcoast South AHEC
Health Profession: Public Health
Hometown: Albany, Georgia
Professional Interests/goals: I would like to acquire an internship or job by Summer 2020 that helps promote the purpose of Public Health which is to prolong life, promote a healthy lifestyle, and Prevent diseases. My academic goals are to successfully complete the certification in Public Health (CPH) exam and the entry level associate infection prevention and control (A-PIC) exam before graduation in 2021.
Fun Fact: I played competitive university golf, and currently enjoy playing for leisure while exploring new areas.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: students are able delve deeper into how Public Health is applied through diverse methods. The AHEC Scholars program also provides unique resources, networking possibilities, and opportunities for growth that will not always be available to students in a traditional classroom setting.
Brianna Williams
GULFCOAST south ahec
Health Profession: Pharmacy
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Professional interests/goals: I have a passion in serving under-served groups and going on mission trips. My goal is to work with the Indian Health Services upon graduation.
Fun fact: I have traveled to over 20 countries.
Inter-professional education is important because: it allows other disciplines to see what we do as pharmacists and how we can help give better patient care as a team which leads to better outcomes.
Juliana Azeredo
GULFCOAST south ahec
Health Profession: Public Health
Hometown: Yonkers, New York
Professional interests/goals: I am interested in health disparities especially among vulnerable populations. In the future, I plan to work as a health educator/program coordinator at the community or university level.
Fun fact: I lived in Brazil for a year and went to school while I was there.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: it has shown me the value of interprofessional efforts in health care. The didactic component allowed me to learn about topics I wouldn't have otherwise learned in public health. The experiential hours showed me how each profession has their own skills, and that together, collaboration can have a lasting impact on populations.
Chedeline Apollon
GULFCOAST south ahec
Health Profession: Public Health
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Professional interests/goals: I’m particularly interested in health equity and closing the gap between health outcomes for minority communities and non-minority communities. Additionally, I find a special interest in the health outcomes and implications of culture on the health of immigrants from the Caribbean.
Fun fact: I prefer to read the book than watch a movie adaptation.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: it allows me the opportunity to explore the intersection of all of my professional interests. Throughout my educational experience, I’ve found myself more and more inclined to answer some questions that most of time others may be apprehensive to address due to their sensitive nature and to truly advocate for those who may remain voiceless in the arena of health care and access to care.
Joelle Odin
Gulfcoast South AHEC
Health Profession: Pharmacy
Hometown: Syracuse, New York
Professional Interests/goals: I plan to pursue a career as a clinical pharmacist in the inpatient setting, working with other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to provide direct patient care.
Fun Fact: Before pharmacy school, I worked at a marine research laboratory and earned my master’s degree in the field of marine conservation.
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: it incorporates practical and didactic coursework that has expanded my understanding of cultural competence as well as my interdisciplinary teamwork skills. What I love most about this program is that it gave me an opportunity to educate younger students in the community about pharmacy. I hope this work helps inspire the next generation of health professionals!
Patrick Nelson
GULFCOAST North ahec
Health Profession: Government Operations Consultant II
Hometown: Evanston, IL
Professional interests/goals: Initially I wanted to work with the armed forces as a coordinator to reduce infectious diseases through phase 3 & 4 clinical trials. This dream has since grown; I want to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, specifically to work on Health in All Policies & Whole Health Initiatives between states and the federal government.
Fun Fact: I can wiggle my eyes!
The AHEC Scholar program is important because: It connects the experiential aspect with the educational aspect of learning. I, personally, learn the most through experience and this Scholar program was perfect for that. It allows for a better understanding of system dynamics and systems thinking.