International Myeloma Foundation Announces 2024 Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma
Twelve Student-Mentor Pairs to Participate in 2024 NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in August
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is proud to announce its selection of IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma for 2024.
Twelve students, several of whom are from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), have been paired with 12 myeloma experts who are dedicated to health equity – together they are conducting 12 projects in health disparities in myeloma. These will be presented as posters at the Annual Meeting of the National Medical Association (NMA) in New York this coming August.
Launched in April 2023, the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Program is a partnership between the IMF and the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute’s Cobb Scholars Program, developed for African American medical school students.
Spearheading the program is IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael, who leads the IMF’s M-Power Project—an initiative that partners with communities across the country with the core vision of improving the short- and long-term outcomes of African American patients with multiple myeloma.
"With the Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma program on its second year, we are, once again, excited to pair twelve remarkable students with experts in myeloma and health disparities. It's particularly gratifying to see this program continue because the first year was such a success, with students presenting their posters at the 2023 NMA Annual Meeting as well as in major medical conferences and some even going to publication."
"The IMF is truly proud that one of last year's Medical Student Scholars, Semaje Testamark (Emory University School of Medicine—Atlanta, GA) received the 2023 ASH Abstract Achievement Award in collaboration with Dr. Manisha Bhutani (Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute—Charlotte, NC) for Poster Abstract 1977—Rural-Urban and Racial Trends in Survival of Patients with Multiple Myeloma: 1975-2019 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Analysis.”
“Additionally, the student-mentor pair of Yaw Adu (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine—Lubbock, TX) and Dr. Sikander Ailawadhi (Division of Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL) also made it among last year’s ASH poster abstracts with Poster Abstract 2418 Patient Awareness of CAR-T and Bispecific Antibody Treatments for Multiple Myeloma: Real-World Learnings and Disparities.”
"We are very excited to see how this program can continue its legacy in the long term, to overcome health disparities in myeloma," said Dr. Mikhael.
Working alongside Dr. Mikhael is IMF President & CEO and myeloma patient Yelak Biru, who stated that “the lack of racial diversity in healthcare is a persistent challenge, and studies show that minority patients often benefit from having a doctor who shares their racial or ethnic background. I'm incredibly excited about the IMF's Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma program.”
“By mentoring and inspiring talented African American medical students, we're fostering a future generation of physicians who understand the unique needs of the myeloma community, particularly those from minority backgrounds.”
“As an African American myeloma patient myself, I know firsthand the importance of culturally competent care. The IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma program and these dedicated students give me immense hope for a future with greater health equity in myeloma treatment and outcomes," added Yelak.
From 32 program applicants, 12 individuals were chosen by the Selection Committee. The student-mentor pairs are as follows:
- Saron Araya (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine—Philadelphia, PA) and Cesar Rodriguez, MD (Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai—New York, NY)
- Bethelehem Gebre (Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine—Spokane, WA) and Ajay K. Nooka, MD, MPH, FACP (Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University—Atlanta, GA)
- Erneisha Brown (Texas Tech University School of Medicine—Lubbock, TX) and Krina K. Patel, MD, MSc (MD Anderson Cancer Center—Houston, TX)
- Tyra Grischke (Indiana University School of Medicine—Indiana, IN) and Ben Derman, MD (University of Chicago—Chicago, IL)
- Diandra Adu-Kyei (Meharry Medical College—Nashville, TN) and Tondre Buck, MD (Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute—Spartanburg, SC)
- Semegne Hiruy (Wake Forest University School of Medicine—Salem, NC) and Manisha Bhutani, MD (Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute—Charlotte, NC)
- Brittany Grossi (Howard University College of Medicine—Washington, DC) and Peter Voorhees, MD (Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute—Charlotte, NC)
- Ferdinand Anokwuru (Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science—Los Angeles, CA) and Monique Hartley-Brown, MD MMSC (Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute—Boston, MA)
- Ingrid Adaeze Okonta (University of Louisville School of Medicine—Louisville, KY) and Joselle Cook, MD (Mayo Clinic—Rochester, MN)
- Jayla Mondy (University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine—Jackson, MS) and Sikander Ailwadhi, MD (Mayo Clinic—Jacksonville, FL)
- Divya Rath (Howard University College of Medicine—Washington, DC) and Urvi Shah, MD (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center—New York, NY)
- Yasmine Griffiths (Howard University College of Medicine—Washington, DC) and Saad Usmani, MD, MBA, FACP (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center—New York, NY)
Some of this year’s IMF Medical Student Scholars shared their thoughts about being chosen to take part in the program:
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply my knowledge and experience to scrutinize health disparities in myeloma. [By] collaborating with experts in the field and engaging in innovative research [I will have a] deeper understanding [of] the complexities of this disease and [can make a positive] impact [in] the lives of those affected by myeloma." — Saron Araya (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine—Philadelphia, PA)
“I want to [inform] others about myeloma’s disproportionate impact on African Americans. I’m excited to learn and work closely with physicians [addressing] health disparities. At this stage in my journey, I am aware of the importance of mentorship. I hope that this program will connect me with like-minded individuals and their collective experiences serving our communities. I will continue to [focus on] the underrepresented in my research, care, and actions, as I move forward in my medical journey.” — Diandra Adu-Kyei (Meharry Medical College—Nashville, TN)
“I am excited to participate in the [IMF] Medical Student Scholars Mentoring Program [as this] resonates with my passion for addressing healthcare inequities and breaking down barriers to care in African American communities. I am eager to collaborate with mentors and fellow scholars to contribute meaningfully to advancing health equity. I am enthusiastic to increase my own awareness about [myeloma] and [to] gain knowledge to educate others. I look forward to contributing to a more informed and empowered community.”— Brittany Grossi (Howard University College of Medicine—Washington, DC)
Along with the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute, the IMF is currently planning the poster sessions for the IMF Medical Student Scholars’ presentations at the Annual Meeting of the National Medical Association (NMA) in August. This will be followed by a networking reception to bring together members of the IMF, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), W. Montague Cobb /NMA Institute, and the NMA.
To learn more about the Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Program, visit the IMF M-Power website.
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