STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION From the Desk of the National President Dear SNMA Family, I am excited to welcome you to our second NLI of the administrative year. The theme of our virtual NLI is, "Rising to Success: Preparing Students, Positioning Leaders, Advancing Excellence”. The focus of this weekend is ensuring that our members are well equipped to deal with struggles relating to being a student leader such as mastering time management, understanding what leadership looks like in this environment, and providing academic resources for all levels. We recognize that without structure and support on the student level, it is difficult to focus on leadership and that is why we curated this NLI for you! For those in National Leadership, I hope that this NLI provides you with continued leadership training and academic support that you need to implement dynamic programming this administrative year. For those interested in continuing or increasing their SNMA leadership experience, I believe that this NLI will provide you with the opportunity to map out your leadership journey within SNMA. I want to thank all our speakers for their time and dedication to the SNMA. I also want to thank the organizations we are partnering with, Tour4Diversity and IOMB, for this NLI for providing resources to our students so that they can further their excellence in academics. While we will be in a virtual space, I encourage participants to fully engage with speakers, to ask questions, and truly soak in all of the leadership training there is to offer. If you are interested in serving at a National level, I encourage you all to attend our Board of Directors meetings as well as it will be an opportunity to learn about the innerworkings of the SNMA. Please know that I appreciate each of you for virtually spending the weekend with us and investing in the mission and future of the SNMA. I look forward to seeing you all!!! Yours in SNMA,
Kailyn Geter 64th National President, Student National Medical Association Student Trustee, National Medical Association Howard University College of Medicine MD Candidate, Class of 2027 Page 1
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION From the Desk of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors Welcome SNMA Family! It is my pleasure to welcome you to our September National Leadership Institute (NLI). While we may not be together in the same physical space, I am excited about the opportunity to come together virtually as one SNMA community. One of the greatest strengths of SNMA is that our connection to one another extends far beyond a conference room or a single weekend. We are connected by a shared commitment to excellence and a more equitable future in medicine. This conference is another opportunity to strengthen those connections and continue building the leaders who will shape the future of healthcare. Our virtual format allows us to bring together members and speakers from across the country. I encourage you to take full advantage of that opportunity. Be present. Ask questions. Participate in the conversations. Introduce yourself to someone you have never met. Share your experiences and be willing to learn from the experiences of others. Leadership does not require a stage, a title, or even a physical room. Leadership is demonstrated in how we show up and how we use our opportunities to create a path for those who come after us. Wherever you are joining us from, I hope you leave this conference with new ideas, new relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our speakers, facilitators, panelists, planning committee, and SNMA staff for the time and effort they have invested in making this conference a fruitful one. Conferences like this do not happen without the commitment of people who believe in the mission of SNMA and are willing to contribute their time and talents to advancing it. Most importantly, I want to thank each of you for continuing to invest in SNMA. Your involvement, your ideas, and your willingness to lead are what keep our organization moving forward. Although we may be connecting through screens, the purpose of our gathering remains very real: to connect, to learn, to serve, and to lead. Welcome to September NLI! I hope you have an inspiring and meaningful experience, and I look forward to seeing you throughout the program. Yours in SNMA,
Jonathan E. Davenport Student National Medical Association Chairperson of the Board of Directors 2026-2027 MD/MBA Candidate, 2027 Medical University of the Americas chair@snma.org
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2026-27 Board of Directors National Chairperson of the Board Jonathan Davenport
Academic Affairs Sonia Chinedu & Annieka Reno
Regional Director III Kiersten Sydnor
National President Kailyn Geter
Community Service Kayla Bouknight & Catherine Dorcinvil
Regional Director IV Sandra-Lily Lantum
National President-Elect Nina Uzoigwe
Convention Planning Shelby Goodson & Miracle Darrington
Regional Director V Ashonti Wright
National Vice President Mauren Akumuo
Diversity Research Shermaine "Hutch" Hutchins & Jailyn Smith
Regional Director VI Diwane Mills
National Secretary Anisa McIntosh National Treasurer Ashley Spooner Pre-Medical Board Member Maurice Furet Speaker of the House Suzette Ndubuisi National Parliamentarian Gregory Ridgel Immediate Past Chairperson Myke Spencer Immediate Past President Sydney Baltimore Executive Director Bridgette Hudson, MBA
Elections Nina Uzoigwe External Affairs Sadé Thomas & Deondra Montgomery Finance Ashley Spooner Health Policy & Legislative Affairs Jasmine Powell & Michaila Paulateer Internal Affairs Stacy Bawuah & Bobbi-Ann Laing
Regional Director VII Ayomini Ajayi Regional Director VIII Valerie Aalo Regional Director IX Kendra Soh Regional Director X Jennifer Salako Regional Director to Executive Committee Kiersten Sydnor
International Affairs Tayce Jacques & Laura Francois MAPS Maurice Furet Membership Tafanie Roye
Professional Board Member to the Osteopathic Affairs Executive Committee Bethany Guidry & Chinyere Nnaji Jade Anderson, MD Professional Board Member Donald Carson, DO
Publications Hans Owuor & Chukwudalu Ononenyi
Professional Board Member Brandon Henry, MD
Regional Director I Selom Gbewonyo
Professional Board Member Morgan White, MD
Regional Director II Janique Abrahams
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Student National Medical Association Headquarters Staff Executive Director Bridgette Hudson
Governance and Special Projects Specialist Denisha Thomas
Membership and Chapter Services Coordinator Lakia Bailey
Events and Logistics Specialist (Contractor) Erika Witherspoon
Projects and Partnership Manager Dejanira Cruz
Website Manager (Contractor) Megan Bourque-Stith
Marketing and Communications Specialist Adrienne Lewis
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September 2026 NLI Table of Contents Friday & Saturday at a Glance: Pg. 7
NLI Program Schedule: Pgs. 9-10
NLI Speakers: Pgs. 11-24
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Virtual NLI Overview
Best Practice: Virtual Events The Zoom link to connect is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86259332495? pwd=Cq5nhd93iZjbIIBNPRgyBacOBiZerN.1 1.Prepare Before the Conference a. Review the agenda before the start of the conference b. Test your technology 2.Be Present and Engaged a. Join sessions on time and stay for the full presentation b .Keep your camera on when possible c. Engage with speakers via the chat, polls, or Q&A 3.Practice Virtual Professionalism a. Use your full name as your display name b. Dress appropriately for the occasion c. Mute yourself when not speaking 4.Maintain Conference Etiquette a. Avoid multitasking during sessions
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Friday & Saturday At-a-Glance FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 5:00-6:00 PM
Virtual Social
6:00-9:00 PM
BOD Meeting
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 9:00-9:15 AM
Welcome
12:0012:30 PM
Lunch Break
12:45-3:45 PM
Breakouts
3:45-4:00 PM
Break
4:00- 7:00 PM
BOD Meeting
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Take Our Pre-NLI Survey!
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 *All times listed are in EST
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Virtual Social Mauren Akumuo Nina Uzoigwe, SNMA President-Elect
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
BOD Meeting
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 *All times listed are in EST
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Welcome Kailyn Geter, National President Jonathan Davenport, Chairperson of the Board of Directors
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM
Under Pressure, On Point: Leadership in the Classroom and Beyond Dr. Sharon Allison
10:00 AM – 10:55 AM
The Art of Delegation: Setting Boundaries as a Leader Dr. Morgan White
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
More Than Networking: Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Making It Last Langston Faulk, Vituity
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Lunch Break
12:30 PM – 12:45 PM
Breakout Overview
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMER 12 *All times listed are in EST
12:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Breakouts M1/M2: Cracking Step 1: A Guide to Smart Studying Presented by Dr. Adam Hanno, IOMB M3/M4: Last Second Exit: Road to Residency Off Ramp Presented by Tour 4 Diversity Dr. Love Anani - T4D Dr. Brittne Halford Dr. Chibuike Ezeibe Dr. Morgan White Dr. Donald Carson Dr. Brandon Henry
Pre-Meds: • 12:45-1:15 What is MAPS? Reynaldo Denaud • 1:25-2:25 Leading Without Authority: How to Be a Student Leader Without the Professional Title Lauren Graves Omofolarin Debellotte Dr. Dale Sanders • 2:35-3:35 Understanding the Healthcare Team and Finding Your Fit Dr. Patrick Lee Melissa Lashombe Daphne Polynice Dr. Chelsey Strowbridge
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Break
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
BOD Meeting Page 10
Speaker Bios
Dr. Adam Hanno, MD, MBA Instructor, Institute of Medical Boards
The Institute of Medical Boards (IOMB), established in 1982, helps medical students prepare for USMLE and COMLEX examinations through structured content review, clinical reasoning, and strategic approaches to board-style questions. IOMB’s instruction goes beyond memorization, teaching students how to interpret complex questions, identify what is truly being tested, and apply their knowledge with confidence. Representing IOMB at the SNMA conference is Adam Hanno, MD, MBA, a USMLE Step 1 instructor who has mentored hundreds of medical students since joining IOMB in June 2025. Dr. Hanno’s teaching style reflects IOMB’s educational approach: simplifying difficult concepts, strengthening higher-order reasoning, and helping students learn to approach questions from the test writer’s perspective. Dr. Hanno earned his MD from Stanford University School of Medicine and his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, earning distinction in both Economics and Biology. Drawing on his background in medicine, business, and clinical research, he brings a rigorous, data-informed approach to medical education and a strong commitment to helping students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed on Step 1 and beyond. Outside of teaching, Dr. Hanno enjoys hiking with his dog, Violet, rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles—Go Birds!—and watching true-crime documentaries.
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Speaker Bios
Brittne Halford, MD, MPH Chief Health Officer, IMPaCT Care
Dr. Brittne Halford is a board-certified hospitalist at Beth Israel in Boston, Massachusetts, and an instructor of internal medicine for physicians in training at Harvard Medical School. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and completed a combined medical degree and Master of Public Health at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, followed by residency training at Washington University in St. Louis. Beyond her clinical work in Boston, Dr. Halford serves as Director of the Center for Trainee Affairs, where she helps residents flourish during their medical training, and as Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Core Faculty for the internal medicine residency program. In addition to her clinical and academic roles, Dr. Halford is a financial educator and money coach for physicians and other healthcare professionals, and has spoken nationally on the fundamentals of wealth creation and financial stewardship. As a wife and mother herself, she brings a personal, grounded perspective to the intersection of marriage, motherhood, medicine, and money.
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Speaker Bios
Dr. Chelsey Strowbridge, PharmD
VA Atlanta Healthcare System - Pain Management Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner Dr. Chelsey Strowbridge is a native of Swainsboro, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Georgia Southern University and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia. Dr. Strowbridge is an active leader in the pharmacy profession, serving on the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) National Board as an Executive Consultant. She is also the founder of Safe Haven Rx, an initiative dedicated to educating communities about substance use disorders and promoting harm reduction strategies. Dr. Strowbridge currently serves as a Pain Management Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner at the VA Atlanta Healthcare System. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys cooking, exercising, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and her dog, Prince.
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Speaker Bios
Dale L. Sanders, DO, DHA, MBA The University of Memphis
Dale Sanders, DO, DHA, MBA is the Master of Health Administration (MHA) Program Director and a faculty member in the Division of Health Systems Management and Policy at the University of Memphis School of Public Health in Memphis, Tennessee. With extensive experience in healthcare leadership, management, and education, Dr. Sanders has dedicated his career to improving healthcare systems, advancing health equity, and preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders. Dr. Sanders maintains a longstanding relationship with the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) as a Professional Board Member Emeritus, Lifetime Member, and frequent guest lecturer. He is particularly committed to supporting premedical students and increasing the number of underrepresented students who successfully matriculate into medical school and healthcare professions. His professional service includes leadership and committee roles with several national organizations, including the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE). He is actively involved with the West Tennessee Chapter of ACHE and has contributed to initiatives focused on cultural competency, executive leadership development, and healthcare research. Dr. Sanders has also served in numerous community leadership capacities, including board and advisory positions with the Memphis Health Center, United Financial Credit Union, Gratiot County Community Health, and the Michigan Department of Community Health. His contributions have focused on community health improvement, strategic planning, and population health initiatives. His research interests center on applying systems thinking to address health disparities and improve health outcomes in marginalized communities. Specifically, he examines the impact of cultural competency and diversity training on students, educators, emerging professionals, and experienced healthcare practitioners, with the goal of fostering more equitable and effective healthcare delivery. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Dr. Sanders enjoys spending time with family and traveling to Florida whenever possible. Page 14
Speaker Bios
Daphne Polynice Touro COM, OMS I
Daphne Polynice, MS is a first-year osteopathic medical student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) Harlem, Class of 2030. She earned her Master of Science from TouroCOM in 2026 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from D’Youville University in Buffalo, New York. Daphne has over a decade of clinical nursing experience and has served as a nursing clinical instructor at Molloy University in Rockville Centre and Montefiore School of Nursing, where she supported students in developing their clinical knowledge and skills. Her professional interests include patient advocacy, healthcare education, and improving access to care for underserved communities. She is a member of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and is committed to mentorship, service, and community engagement. Outside of medicine, Daphne enjoys traveling, attending concerts and Broadway shows, exploring new restaurants as an amateur foodie, and shopping.
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Speaker Bios
Langston Faulk Vituity - Program Manager, Community Responsibility
Langston Faulk has never been interested in simply having a seat at the table. He has used his seat to learn, grow, and understand how tables are built, then taken those lessons to build his own, create more seats for others, and remind people that they don’t just deserve a seat in the room; they belong there. A Louisiana-born leader, entrepreneur, and community builder with a Master of Science in Management and Leadership, Langston has built his work around connecting people to opportunity, transforming ideas into impact, and leaving every space better than he found it. Professionally, Langston serves as a Program Manager with Vituity, a physician-owned and -led healthcare organization that partners with hospitals and health systems across the country. In his role, he focuses on creating pathways that connect aspiring healthcare professionals with mentorship, professional development, meaningful exposure, and career opportunities. Beyond his corporate work, Langston is the Founder of Eyeconik Brand, a lifestyle and community platform built at the intersection of apparel, programming, identity, and impact. A proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., he is passionate about mentorship, personal branding, leadership development, and helping others recognize the power of their own story. Years ago, a quote from Tupac Shakur reshaped how Langston viewed purpose: “I may not change the world, but I guarantee I will spark the brain that will.” It has since become a mantra for how he approaches both life and leadership. Not simply trying to be the person who makes the impact. But intentionally investing in people who will create impact of their own. Whether building programs, brands, or people, Langston believes impact should be intentional, opportunity should be accessible, and becoming Eyeconik starts with knowing who you are. Page 16
Speaker Bios
Lauren A. Graves Temple University, Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medicine, Class President 2026 LanBorn and raised in Danville, Virginia, Lauren Alexis Graves is a clinical research professional, maternal health advocate, and nontraditional pre‑medical student whose career bridges healthcare operations, community birth work, and academic research. A proud George Mason University alumna and 40 Under 40 honoree, she is a published ACOG journal author, doula, and HR consultant with a background as a Healthcare HR Director prior to beginning her post‑bacc studies in 2025. Lauren resides in Philadelphia with her 5‑year‑old daughter, Ari, who loves gymnastics, science, and singing —fueling Lauren’s commitment to building a future in medicine rooted in representation, equity, and joy. Her work integrates the Body · Baby · Brain framework, advancing maternal health equity through community‑rooted education, research, and advocacy. She is an active Region VIII member and proudly serves as Vice‑Chair of the SNMA National Membership Committee, where she strengthens MAPS to SNMA pathways for nontraditional, post‑bacc, and career‑transitioning students. Recently named a 2026 SNMA National Future Leadership Project (NLP) Fellow, Lauren is dedicated to expanding mentorship networks, elevating service initiatives, and cultivating a membership experience that empowers underrepresented future physicians to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Lauren is also the recipient of the Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania (MSEP) MCAT prep schoalrship. Lauren most recently served as a Summer 2026 volunteer with the Council on Concerns of Women Physicians (CCWP) at the National Medical Association Scientific Assembly and annual conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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Speaker Bios
Love Anani, MD, FACEP SCP Health EM Medical Director at Tristar Northcrest Medical Center
Dr. Love Anani is a full-time Emergency Medicine Physician at Tristar Northcrest Emergency Department in the Nashville, TN area where he serves as the Medical Director, Robertson County EMS Director, and President (aka Chief) of Staff. Dr. Anani attended medical school at Howard University College of Medicine where he earned his MD. For residency Dr. Anani attended Central Michigan Emergency Medicine Program where he was co-chief resident. Dr. Anani currently works with the Tour for Diversity in Medicine and other organizations such as Student National Medical Association (SNMA), Lighthouse Mentorship to help improve diversity in the medical field, specifically with underrepresented Males. As the social media director for The Tour for Diversity in Medicine, Dr. Anani continues to enjoy speaking one on one with students to help open their thoughts and minds on medicine. Dr. Anani currently lives in Nashville, TN, but is a native of Houston, TX where his family continues to reside. He enjoys sports, comics, and is an avid gamer. He is currently married to Dr. Uchenna Ezeibe Anani, who is currently a NICU attending and APD for Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University. They have twin boys who recently started Kindergarten and are loving it.
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Speaker Bios
Melissa Lashombe, PA-C Stanford Children’s, ENT PA-C
Melissa is a board-certified Physician Assistant who graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Orlando in 2020. After graduation, she completed an Emergency Medicine fellowship at a Level I Trauma Center and went on to practice in a rural emergency department and urgent care setting near Yosemite National Park. She later transitioned to the Bay Area, where she worked in a concierge-style urgent care setting. Most recently, Melissa joined Stanford Children’s Health in Pediatric Otolaryngology (ENT), where she is excited to expand her expertise in pediatric specialty care.
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Speaker Bios
Morgan S. White, MD Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
Dr. Morgan White is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She provides comprehensive clinical care at Wingra Family Medical Center, a family medicine residency training site and Federally Qualified Health Center that serves underserved and low-income populations. Dr. White practices full-spectrum family medicine, including outpatient care, obstetrics, and inpatient medicine. Her academic interests include women's health, mentorship and support of underrepresented minorities in medicine, and advancing equity in maternal and child health. Her scholarly and professional work focuses particularly on addressing racial disparities affecting Black communities.
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Speaker Bios
Omofolarin Debellotte University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, MS1, RN, MSc Omofolarin Debellotte, RN, MSc, is a MD Candidate at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and currently serves as the SNMA Region II MAPS Liaison and Co-Head Liaison for the Oncology Student Interest Group. Prior to medical school, she worked as a registered nurse for nearly a decade, an experience that continues to shape her approach to leadership and patient advocacy. Her interests include medical and radiation oncology, radiology and military medicine. Folarin is passionate about mentorship, expanding pathways into medicine, and supporting students from historically underrepresented backgrounds as they pursue careers in healthcare.
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Speaker Bios
Patrick T. Lee, MD, PhD University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Patrick Lee, MD, PhD, is an acute care surgeon at the University of Wisconsin, holding dual board certifications in general surgery and surgical critical care. Raised in Chicago, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign before earning his MD and PhD at UW–Madison. His research focused on growth factor regulation in stem cell development and cartilage regeneration. He completed his general surgery residency at UW–Madison, followed by fellowships in surgical critical care and acute care surgery at the University of Maryland. Upon returning to the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Lee established both an acute and elective surgical practice while actively contributing to medical student and resident education. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply engaged with the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), serving across local, regional, and national levels, and he continues to mentor the organization's emerging leaders.
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Speaker Bios
Reynaldo A. Denaud MAPS Vice Chairperson of Programmatic Affairs
Reynaldo A. Denaud currently serves as the Vice Chairperson of Programmatic Affairs for SNMA's National MAPS Committee, where he oversees liaison coordination and programmatic initiatives supporting premedical students nationwide. He previously served as MAPS Post-Baccalaureate Student Coordinator. Reynaldo graduated Cum Laude from Florida State University with a degree in Exercise Physiology and double minors in Biology and Chemistry. He currently works as a Clinical Medical Assistant in radiation oncology, supporting patient care in a clinical oncology setting. A first-generation Haitian-American, Reynaldo is preparing to apply to medical school in the 2026-27 AMCAS cycle, with interests spanning orthopedic surgery and physical medicine & rehabilitation. In his free time, he enjoys film photography, shooting on his Canon A-1, playing soccer whenever he can, and loves to travel, with recent trips to Cancún and Costa Rica.
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Speaker Bios
Sharon D. Allison, MD Chairwoman Emeritus SNMA CARLDEN Inc. Sharon Denise Allison, MD is an energetic and engaging speaker, author, health educator/physician and health strategist/consultant. Dr. Allison is the CEO of CARLDEN Inc. and Beautiful Woman Inside and Out, Inc. She also serves as Executive Director of The COSHAR Healthy Communities Foundation. Dr. Allison serves as the Health Strategist for several national companies/organizations and develops and oversees programmatic agendas with long and short term strategies ensuring effectiveness and achievement of goals. Dr. Allison’s companies have a national scope that reaches millions with their products, services and events. She is also a media personality with a presence in television, social media, radio and print and one of the nation’s most influential physicians and health advocates. Dr. Allison completed a three year residency program in Internal Medicine (Adult Medicine) at Union Memorial Hospital. It was during her residency training that she developed a keen interest in the elderly and subsequently completed an additional two year fellowship in Geriatric Medicine (Adults over 65) at the same institution. She received her medical degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine. Dr. Allison is a proud alumna of North Carolina Central University where she earned dual degrees in Biology and Chemistry with minors in Physics, African American History and English with honors. . Page 24
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