Meet CFHI’s 2025 Alumni Advisors

Hello! My name is Alexandra Lederman.

Global Health in Argentina

I am an advisor for the Córdoba, Argentina program. I am from Seattle, Washington, and I am currently a junior at Haverford College studying History, Health Studies, and Spanish. My goal is to pursue a career in public health and health equity, focusing primarily on the policy side. My experience in Córdoba this summer gave me a firsthand glimpse into how universal healthcare is administered and the challenges and successes of different healthcare systems. I am excited to take what I learned with me as I enter the public health field, and I look forward to sharing my experiences to help new CFHI participants make the most of their CFHI experience!

Hello! My name is Akhila Bandlora.

Global Health in South Africa (Cape Town)

I recently graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Psychology and a certificate in African American Studies. Currently, I am on a research fellowship in Sydney, Australia. I completed the CFHI Cape Town program in June and July 2023, and I absolutely loved it! I would love to chat with you about all things Cape Town—what to bring, where to eat, events to attend, books and movies to read beforehand, and more!

Hello! My name is Amir Devine.

Global Health in Mexico (Puerto Escondido)

I am a Senior at UCSD studying Global Health. I participated in the Global Health in Puerto Escondido program in August 2024 and am now the alumni advisor for the program. I enjoyed my experience immensely and learned huge amounts about the health system of Mexico while significantly improving my Spanish. My hobbies include surfing, snowboarding, and enjoying the outdoors, and I look forward to helping new program participants navigate their experience!

Hello! My name is Andrea Pangan. Full bio coming soon! 

Global Health in The Philippines

Hello! My name is Aniee Sarkissian. Full bio coming soon! 

Global Health in Ecuador (Puyo)

Hello! My name is Charmi Shah.

Equity Initiatives Alumni Advisor

I am a current third-year medical student in Louisville, KY, where I also grew up. I participated in both the La Paz, Bolivia and Córdoba, Argentina programs in August 2023, spending one month in South America. Comparing the two vastly different cultures, improving my Spanish speaking skills, and exploring tourist sites made for an unforgettable experience. Previously, I served as an alumni advisor, and I now serve as the Equity Initiatives Advisor for CFHI. When I’m not traveling or studying, I enjoy trying new foods, hiking, hanging out with friends, and binge-watching TV shows.

Hello! My name is Dana Nezon.

Global Health in Ghana (Accra)
I am a pediatric hospitalist in Chicago. I participated in the Accra, Ghana CFHI program in March 2024 for one month during my pediatric hospitalist medicine fellowship. In pediatrics, we strive not to over-rely on unnecessary testing or imaging; however, in the United States, the approach often leans heavily on these tools. My experience at Princess Marie Louise was a valuable reminder of how much can be learned through a careful and thorough history and physical examination without always resorting to additional tests. I enjoy traveling to broaden my horizons, exploring my own city by checking out new restaurants and museums, skiing, ice skating, playing board games, reading historical fiction, and keeping up with current events.

Hello! My name is Daria Pronina.

Global Health in Mexico (Oaxaca)

I am a first-year resident in Internal Medicine working in Newark, NJ. My professional interests include Oncology and Critical Care. Outside of work, I enjoy trying new foods, exploring new places, playing volleyball, and spending time with my cats. I was delighted to participate in the Global Health in Mexico (Oaxaca) program for four weeks in April 2023, during which I had the chance to improve my Spanish, attend every weekend tour available, and make lifelong connections.

Hello! My name is Dominic Quiros.

Medical Education Alumni Advisor

I am a rising fourth-year medical student at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the 2024–2025 CFHI Medical Education Alumni Advisor. My role is to support CFHI participants currently enrolled in medical school with any concerns related to being a medical student. I hope to help them translate their international learning experiences into meaningful narratives that highlight personal growth, cultural competence, and adaptability. In 2023, as a first-year medical student, I participated in CFHI’s Guayaquil/Puyo program in Ecuador, where I gained invaluable clinical experience, witnessed unique healthcare delivery contexts, lived with and learned from the Shuar community in the Amazon jungle, and made lifelong friends. In my free time, I enjoy indoor rock climbing, hot yoga, and exploring new places to eat.

Hello! My name is Jenny Lee.

Global Health in South Africa (Durban)

I am a second-year medical student at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. I participated in the Durban program during the summer of 2024 (US summer, Durban winter) and learned so much about the public health and education system in South Africa, various specialties in medicine, and the challenges posed by infectious diseases. Connecting with the local community and culture helped me understand how colonization has influenced present-day attitudes and the political environment, which in turn impact healthcare and access. Besides these scholarly takeaways, I embraced a strong kinship with my homestay family, CFHI peers, and community connections. Outside of school and global health adventures, I enjoy cooking, baking, trying new restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops, hiking, running, practicing yoga, doing arts and crafts, latte-making, playing pickleball, and connecting with friends and family.

Hello! My name is Joys William.

Global Health in The Philippines

I am a junior at Elizabethtown College majoring in Biology (Pre-Med) and minoring in Psychology. I enjoy crocheting, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I attended the Global Health in the Philippines program in July 2024, and I found the experience extraordinary—not only did it help me grow as a future physician, but also as a person. The Philippines will always hold a special place in my heart, and I love serving as an alumni advisor to support others in their learning experiences.

Hello! My name is Luis Lopez.

Global Health in Bolivia (La Paz)
I am the advisor for the La Paz, Bolivia CFHI program in 2023. During my month in Bolivia, I had the opportunity to learn from inspiring physicians in various departments at El Hospital de Niño and to meet several medical students along the way. This was my first introduction to a global health rotation, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience. The attendings provided exceptional teaching, and I also had the chance to explore the beauty of Bolivia on weekend trips. Additionally, I am a medical student at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL, and in my free time, I enjoy working out and playing the piano.

Hello! My name is Maika Ryu.

Global Health in Ghana (Cape Coast)

I am an aesthetic doctor based in Japan. My hobbies include diving, cooking, and working out at the gym. I had the privilege of participating in the Accra program in March 2023, and the most impactful part of my CFHI experience was the hands-on exposure to global health challenges and the opportunity to live and collaborate with exceptional students from around the world. Daily sharing and discussions enriched my perspective and deepened my understanding of global health.

Hello! My name is Michaela Whitelaw, MPH.

Global Health in Bolivia (Tarija)

I am a fourth-year medical student at Emory University School of Medicine and will be starting residency this summer in Med-Peds (Internal Medicine-Pediatrics). I also have a background in public health and volunteer service, including work with AmeriCorps VISTA and Peace Corps Dominican Republic. I participated in the Tarija, Bolivia Global Health program in September 2024, where I gained an appreciation for integrating indigenous medicine into the medical system and a deeper understanding of Bolivian culture through the strong friendships I built. I cherished getting to know people and sharing our lives and experiences—with my Spanish professor and host family becoming genuine friends. For fun, I enjoy fitness training, long walks, volunteering, and cooking both new and traditional recipes (in Tarija, I made tres leches cake and pesto sauce for my host family). I also love exploring art and music scenes.

Hello! My name is Nathan Parrot.

Global Health in Uganda (Mukono)

I work for the Salvation Army’s Denver Metro Social Services department as the Assistant Director of Non-Congregate Shelter. My recent work has focused on leading initiatives to convert several hotels into housing-focused shelters for people experiencing homelessness. In my role, I coordinate directly with city partners to resolve encampments, improve homelessness resolution strategies, provide resource navigation, and connect people to various housing subsidies. I traveled to Mukono, Uganda, to complete my Master’s in Global Health practicum project with Omni Med and CFHI in March 2023. For this project, I conducted a programmatic evaluation of Omni Med’s SEEK-GSP initiative, which focuses on community-based interventions for mental health. This experience provided me with a deeper understanding of the challenges in delivering comprehensive healthcare in resource-limited settings and offered insight into how mental health can be uniquely expressed in a rural village context, particularly in relation to poverty. Outside of work, I love spending time outdoors—hiking, snowboarding, camping, enjoying good food, and stargazing with my telescope—and I prioritize international travel at least once per year.

Hello! My name is Roya Gheissari. Full bio coming soon! 

Global Health in Uganda (Kabale)

Hello! My name is Sarah Olson.

Global Health in India (Dehradun & Rural Himalayas)

I am the alumni advisor for the Dehradun & Rural Himalayas program. I participated in this program in January 2023, which inspired me to continue my advanced education in global health. I am a first-year Global Health Epidemiology MPH student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and I also serve as the Programs Assistant for CFHI, a position I have held since May 2024. Outside of academics and CFHI, I enjoy ballroom dancing, traveling, and watching movies.

Hello! My name is Shannon Sager.

Global Health in Ecuador (Quito)

I am the alumni advisor for the Quito CFHI program. In May 2023, I spent five weeks in Ecuador, where I had the incredible opportunity to shadow doctors across various specialties, observe patient care in different healthcare systems, and visit local NGOs. This experience deepened my understanding of global health challenges and healthcare accessibility, ultimately solidifying my passion for the field. I also had the chance to explore Quito and immerse myself in Ecuadorian culture, making the experience even more meaningful. I recently graduated from Penn State with a B.S. in Integrative Science and a B.S. in Global & International Studies, along with a minor in Global Health, and I currently work as a Community Engagement Intern with the International Rescue Committee. In my free time, I love cooking, weightlifting, learning new languages, and traveling.

Hello! My name is Sofia Schmidhuber.

Global Health in Argentina

I am a third-year Microbiology Pre-Medicine major with a Chemistry minor at Oregon State University. I enjoy skiing, hiking, working with stained glass, and traveling. As an advisor for the Argentina programs, I draw on my experience from a 10‑week Summer Clinical Internship in Córdoba. Shadowing various medical specialties gave me firsthand insight into Argentina’s healthcare system while improving my Spanish and communication skills. The most impactful part of my experience was the connections I made—with my host family, coordinators, physicians, and residents. I learned that stepping outside my comfort zone and asking questions was the best way to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.

Hello! My name is Thanuri Navarathna.

Global Health in India (Delhi)

I am the alumni advisor for the CFHI New Delhi, India programs. I participated in the Global Health in India (Delhi) program for four weeks in July 2023. I work as a research technician at a Veterans Affairs hospital infectious disease research lab, and I hold an MPH in Epidemiology along with a graduate certificate in Genomics and Bioinformatics from UTHealth Houston. In the future, I would like to pursue a doctoral degree in infectious disease and global health. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, dancing, and trying new foods.

Hello! My name is Yanci Almonte Vargas, B.S.

Global Health in South Africa (Cape Town)

I am a graduate student in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program at Drexel University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies. I work as a Health Unit Coordinator at UnityPoint Health – Meriter Hospital and serve as the Pre-Medical Representative for Region 2 within the Student National Medical Association (SNMA). Additionally, I participated in the Global Health study abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa with Child Family Health International in July 2024 for six weeks. This program taught me the importance of language, socioeconomic factors, cultural sensitivity, efficient infrastructures, and the business of healthcare in providing the best care possible for everyone in our communities. It is one of the most memorable study abroad experiences I have ever had. Lastly, I enjoy reading poetry, fiction, and novels, watching television shows and movies, and spending time with family and friends.