Public Health AmeriCorps Members
Meet Our 2023-2024 Cohort
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Alvaro Aldana,
Beach Cities Health District
Hello! My name is Alvaro Aldana and I am excited to join the AmeriCorps team! I just graduated USC with my Bachelor's in Biological Sciences and am currently obtaining my Master's degree in Public Health. Some hobbies of mine include playing sports and working out!
Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center
Ari is a narrative strategist and principal of WellPlay. A veteran of Hollywood, she uses her entertainment expertise to create a new narrative for health. Ari is committed to scaling healing and improving the healthcare experience for everyone.
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Breonna Hall,
All People's Community Center
Hello, my name is Breonna Hall and I’m currently doing my year of service at All People’s Community Center. I’m also an online student at Arizona State University studying Healthcare Compliance & Regulations.
Diane Barbosa,
Venice Family Clinic
Hello! My name is Diane Barbosa, and I am excited to be a member of the Public Health AmeriCorps. I have a background in geography/ environmental studies and GIS. I would love to someday make an impact in disadvantaged communities by bringing in more green space in order to improve overall health.
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Annabel Agustin,
YWCA
I'm a Southern California native on my way to acquiring my Bachelor's Degree. I am looking forward to giving back to my community and learning new skills. I am thankful to be given the opportunity.
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Belen Velazquez,
KLBRI
I am a Queer 2 Spirit detribalized Xicana who is remembering and reclaiming their Indigenous wisdom and medicines while walking the Sacred Red Road as I create good relationships with all of my Relations. I am a song keeper and storyteller who is passionate about helping others activate the healing power within themselves by expressing their truths courageously and unapologetically. Honored to be here and I'm excited to be able to share my medicine with those I get to work with and share space with.
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Chinonye Onyea,
Breathe Southern California
My name is Chinonye Onyea. I am a Public Health graduate of SJSU. I'm very passionate about primary health care and enjoy working with at-risk populations, especially seniors. My long-term goal is to be primary care clinician.
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Ekatherina King,
YWCA
Ekatherina is a current MPH student at the University of Southern California and is excited to be on this journey with the Public Health AmeriCorps. She will be working at her host site, the YWCA of San Gabriel Valley, which is a non profit organization that aims to eliminate racism and empower women, families, and community members. Ekatherina is honored to be part of such an amazing organization and is eager to work on various projects in the behavioral health/mental health department, youth services, the empowerment center, and many more crucial departments.
Erica Chen,
Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center
I've lived in Philly for the past 5 years and am excited to be back on the West Coast. After traveling throughout Asia and noticing the effects of healthcare on various socioeconomic backgrounds, I am eager to gain experience in public health!
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Esmerelda Gomez,
Breathe Southern California
I am a first generation college student born and raised in Los Angeles County. I received my B.S. in Public Health from the University of California, San Diego. During my undergrad, I served as the design lead for EJ4LAC; a student-run community organization advocating for environmental justice in LA County. During my time there, I developed my interests in climate justice, health education, and community outreach. In the future, I hope to pursue a Master's in Public Health or work in the healthcare field. In my spare time I enjoy playing video games, roller skating, painting, and listening to music.
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Farheen Jahangir,
Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP)
I think my knowledge and work skills will be useful when I can instill awareness in people for mental and physical well-being in their daily life. I want to improve health outcomes through leadership, community empowerment, capacity building, and health communication.
Fuaduz Zaman,
Breathe Southern California
Trying to be the better version of myself. I set my goals beyond my reach so I always have something to live for.
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Jamie Patino,
KLBRI
Greetings, my name is Jamie. I am a jewelry artist by trade with experience in the medical and e commerce fields. I am very excited to be part of this organization and so excited to see where the future will lead
Jamie Vu,
Beach Cities Health District
Hello! My name is Jamie Vu, and I am currently a 4th year undergraduate student studying Psychobiology at UCLA. I am excited to be a part of AmeriCorps to learn more about public health and how I can apply the initiatives and projects that I work on to my future career goals. I am ready to tackle on a year of service and hope to contribute to the local community in spreading awareness and knowledge.
Venice Family Clinic
Hello my name is Jessica, I am happy to be able to join this program to give back to my community and local clinic! I recently graduated and am now taking a gap year before medical school to focus on increasing my skills and expanding my experiences within the clinical setting.
Beach Cities Health District
I'm Jimena Carolina Salazar. I am a recent graduate from UC San Diego with a degree in Public Health Epidemiology, and I have decided to start my work in the field through AmeriCorps and LA Works Public Health Program. I am extremely excited to continue to meet new people, make connections and make a change in my community.
KLBRI
Kelatztli Mendoza studied Biology at Columbia University and has been a professional tutor for over 10 years. She is passionate about community, health, and wellness. During her year of service working with KLBRI, she hopes to have a positive impact on the indigenous communities of Los Angeles.
Cayenne Wellness
NSLS student chapter President Fantasia Jacko, BA in English creative writing obtained from SFSU, customized MBA in Real estate, entrepreneurship, management and finance in progress at CSULA. Professional interests/skills are in non profit and social services.
Beach Cities Health District
My name is Lory Aguinaldo and I love going to the gym to decompress. I love food/drinks but I don't eat pork, other than that I get excited talking about food and trying new things.
Southern California Pacific Islander Community Response Team (SoCal PICRT)
My name is Malia Pereira and I am a woman of Samoan ancestry. I have been working with the Pacific Islander community in Southern California for two years now. I have my BA in physical education and plans to pursue my master's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in strength and conditioning, but this work has shown me ways that I can continue to serve my community with the knowledge and experience that I have.
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Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center
Hello! My name is Mariam Atoyan, and I am a transfer student studying Public Health Policy at the University of California, Irvine. Growing up in Los Angeles, specifically Hollywood, has really shaped my perspective on the needs and wants of our communities. I hope to become an impactful member of my city, contributing positive change towards equitable healthcare and resources.
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All People's Community Center
Grace was born in Okinawa, Japan, but was raised in the tropical islands of the Philippines. She currently lives in California where she hopes to finish her master's degree in public health. If she's not working or studying, you can find her relaxing at home or at the tennis courts, where she indulges her fantasies of winning Wimbledon.
Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center
My name is Matthew Gonzalez and I recently graduated from University of California Davis last summer majoring in Chicano Studies and minoring in Public Health. I decided on this major and minor because I want to help the community in their healthcare by educating or navigating them to the different programs that are available for them. My main reason for applying to the AmeriCorps program was to gain experience interacting with the community for I can have a better understanding in what community health workers do since that is what I want to do for the future.
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Beach Cities Health District
Hello, my name is Melody, and I am a sophomore with a major in Public Health. I am excited to be joining the team.
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Southern California Pacific Islander Community Response Team (SoCal PICRT)
My name is Melody Satele (she/her/hers), and I work with the SoCal Pacific Islander Community Response Team with a focus on Environmental Justice. I was born and raised in San Bernardino, CA and my family comes from the villages of Vailoatai, Tutuila and Faleasao, Olosega in American Samoa. My background is in Environmental Studies and I am passionate about land and water rights for Indigenous communities, and the long term impacts of environmental racism on low-income, immigrant, and communities of color.
Cayenne Wellness
My name is Parmida and I have been working and volunteering professionally in the Public Health field for about five years. I completed my Bachlor's degree in Health Science and my Master's degree in Public Health. I've spent my time providing Public Health services for various counties and States. I look forward to expanding my skill range to Los Angeles County and continuing to give back to the community through Public Health.
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Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center
Hello! My name is Rachel Soong, and I am a recent graduate of UCR with a B.S. in Biology. I'm interested in obtaining an MD and MPH in the future, so I'm super excited to be volunteering with Americorp and LA Works to learn more about public health. During my free time, you can find me playing old Pokemon games on my Nintendo DS (and Pokemon GO), watching movies, and playing board games with friends.
Beach Cities Health District
DJing and building community are two things Sabeerah is most passionate about. She strives to create opportunities for her disabled community!
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Sayudharista "Arista" Sumantri,
Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP)
Hello, my name is Arista! I was born and raised in Indonesia then moved to the US when I was in grade school. I am passionate about improving healthcare accessibility and equity as well as global health. Last but not least, I love mangoes!
Southern California Pacific Islander Community Response Team (SoCal PICRT)
I am Shana Coleman and I'm a Pacific Islander who was born and raised in Los Angeles County. I use my years in non profit work to empower Pacific Islander youth in their journey through life. I am raising three Pacific Islanders of my own so my off time usually consists of school projects and youth sports activities but my personal favorite is my home garden.
Cayenne Wellness
Tegan Moody is a volunteer and activist. She has a professional background in web development, and an academic background in art and Asian Studies.
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Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center
Tei is from Arts District, LA and studied cultural science for their undergraduate degree at Hampshire College. She is interested in building community health, increasing access to culturally relevant healthcare and osteopathic medicine, and currently taking pre-med classes at East LA Community College. She is also an EMT and enjoys finding nature around the city.