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A B O U T US
Our Story
Core Team
THE TEAM
The majority of our members are people of color and from communities most affected by COVID-19. Our 20 person core team makes our decisions, together.
Snigdha Allaparthi
(she/her)
Regional Organizer (California)
Fourth year undergraduate student studying Neurobiology and Toxicology at UC Berkeley. She is an active member of her local PIHE Chapter at UC Berkeley, where she teaches local high school and fellow college students about the importance of public health and health equity. She also helps run Splash at Berkeley, an organization that pushes for educational equity opportunities across the Bay Area for high school students.
Regional Organizer (California)
Fourth year undergraduate student studying Neurobiology and Toxicology at UC Berkeley. She is an active member of her local PIHE Chapter at UC Berkeley, where she teaches local high school and fellow college students about the importance of public health and health equity. She also helps run Splash at Berkeley, an organization that pushes for educational equity opportunities across the Bay Area for high school students.
Emma Baah-Binney*
(she/her)
R2H Board President, State Captain (OH)
Medical Sciences degree with a minor in French and a Global Health Studies certificate. Originally from Accra, Ghana, she has experienced the effects of health inequity and is interested in global health and working to ensure affordable accessible healthcare for all. She currently volunteers with Crossroad Health Center a clinic that serves the underrepresented population of Cincinnati.
Cincinnati, OH.
R2H Board President, State Captain (OH)
Medical Sciences degree with a minor in French and a Global Health Studies certificate. Originally from Accra, Ghana, she has experienced the effects of health inequity and is interested in global health and working to ensure affordable accessible healthcare for all. She currently volunteers with Crossroad Health Center a clinic that serves the underrepresented population of Cincinnati.
Cincinnati, OH.
Vidya Babu
(she/her)
Communications Team
Student in biology and anthropology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is involved in neuroimmunology and computational biology research, undergraduate student publications, as well as community health education.
Chicago, IL.
Communications Team
Student in biology and anthropology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is involved in neuroimmunology and computational biology research, undergraduate student publications, as well as community health education.
Chicago, IL.
Giovanna Braganza, MPH
State Captain (NY)
Health policy and research professional working to address health disparities such as food insecurity, health care coverage and access in New York State. She has past experience in community organizing through GlobeMed and Doctors for Camp Closure (D4CC). She earned her Masters of Public Health at the SUNY Downstate School of Public Health. Giovanna’s passion for global vaccine equity and advocacy for essential workers is in memory of her father who was killed by COVID-19 in April 2020.
Aaron Chang
(he/him)
Fundraising Team
Medical device entrepreneur who loves reading, running, and basketball.
Fundraising Team
Medical device entrepreneur who loves reading, running, and basketball.
Paul Davis §
(he/him)
Policy Director
Co-led grassroots and legislative campaigns that won >99% reductions in HIV drug prices for impoverished countries, and got life-saving medicines to 26 million people with HIV worldwide (so far); helped organize a 150+ city nationwide birddog/civil disobedience movement to save the ACA, oppose Trump tax cuts, and strike at other post-2016 flashpoints. Alumni of ACT UP, PIH, UAEM, KEI, Doctors for America, Seattle Tenants Union, co-founded Health GAP and Birddog Nation.
Baltimore, MD
Policy Director
Co-led grassroots and legislative campaigns that won >99% reductions in HIV drug prices for impoverished countries, and got life-saving medicines to 26 million people with HIV worldwide (so far); helped organize a 150+ city nationwide birddog/civil disobedience movement to save the ACA, oppose Trump tax cuts, and strike at other post-2016 flashpoints. Alumni of ACT UP, PIH, UAEM, KEI, Doctors for America, Seattle Tenants Union, co-founded Health GAP and Birddog Nation.
Baltimore, MD
Ashwini Deshpande
(she/her)
Events Team
Student studying Biology, Economics & Spanish at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has worked extensively in the nonprofit sector and focuses on community-based research and education, economics and engagement, and is organizing to realize the universal right to healthcare. Chicago, IL.
Events Team
Student studying Biology, Economics & Spanish at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has worked extensively in the nonprofit sector and focuses on community-based research and education, economics and engagement, and is organizing to realize the universal right to healthcare. Chicago, IL.
Analie Fernandes
(she/her)
State Captain (IN)
Student pursuing a political science and pre-health degree at the University of Notre Dame. She has a background in organizing and advocacy through her involvement with PIH Engage and GlobeMed. She is passionate about public health, and dedicated to the fight to establish equitable access to healthcare. In her free time she loves to read and hike.
South Bend, IN.
State Captain (IN)
Student pursuing a political science and pre-health degree at the University of Notre Dame. She has a background in organizing and advocacy through her involvement with PIH Engage and GlobeMed. She is passionate about public health, and dedicated to the fight to establish equitable access to healthcare. In her free time she loves to read and hike.
South Bend, IN.
Leah Jo Figueroa Carnine, PA
(she/her)
State Captain (OR)
Community organizer and primary care PA, recently moved to her hometown of Eugene to practice medicine after being part of migrant and racial justice organizing in the Southwest for over a decade, and helping build a base of white people taking action for racial justice with Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). She’s been fortunate to be part of integrating queer and trans health, harm reduction and an anti-oppression framework into her community health work, and trauma informed learning into medicine and liberation work. She’s passionate about the intersections of transformative health care and collective liberation.
State Captain (OR)
Community organizer and primary care PA, recently moved to her hometown of Eugene to practice medicine after being part of migrant and racial justice organizing in the Southwest for over a decade, and helping build a base of white people taking action for racial justice with Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). She’s been fortunate to be part of integrating queer and trans health, harm reduction and an anti-oppression framework into her community health work, and trauma informed learning into medicine and liberation work. She’s passionate about the intersections of transformative health care and collective liberation.
Ali Greenberg, MSPH*
(she/her)
Team Co-Coordinator
Medical student organizing to integrate social justice into curriculum with White Coats for Black Lives. She has worked in grassroots organizing for access to healthcare and medicines for all since 2011. She was the Advocacy & Campaigns Officer for Universities Allied for Essential Medicines and now sits on UAEM's Executive Committee and works locally with SNaHP. She was on the Steering Committee for Right Care Alliance and has interned for Socially Responsible Surgery, the International Vaccine Access Center, and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative.
New York City, NY
Team Co-Coordinator
Medical student organizing to integrate social justice into curriculum with White Coats for Black Lives. She has worked in grassroots organizing for access to healthcare and medicines for all since 2011. She was the Advocacy & Campaigns Officer for Universities Allied for Essential Medicines and now sits on UAEM's Executive Committee and works locally with SNaHP. She was on the Steering Committee for Right Care Alliance and has interned for Socially Responsible Surgery, the International Vaccine Access Center, and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative.
New York City, NY
Leslye Heilig, MD
(she/her)
Policy Team
Volunteer advocacy leader and mentor with Together Women Rise and RESULTS. She studied at Princeton University and Harvard Medical School and did her pediatric residency at University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital. She practiced general pediatrics in rural communities in New England for 30 years and since retiring has been an active volunteer promoting global gender equality, human rights, and global health equity through multiple organizations including RESULTS, Together Women Rise (previously called Dining for Women), CARE, Oxfam.
Policy Team
Volunteer advocacy leader and mentor with Together Women Rise and RESULTS. She studied at Princeton University and Harvard Medical School and did her pediatric residency at University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital. She practiced general pediatrics in rural communities in New England for 30 years and since retiring has been an active volunteer promoting global gender equality, human rights, and global health equity through multiple organizations including RESULTS, Together Women Rise (previously called Dining for Women), CARE, Oxfam.
Abby Heller
(she/her)
State Captain (NJ)
Lab manager in an autism and muscular dystrophy research lab at Child Health Institute of New Jersey. She likes to play guitar, cook, run, and do puzzles -- and campaign for global justice.
State Captain (NJ)
Lab manager in an autism and muscular dystrophy research lab at Child Health Institute of New Jersey. She likes to play guitar, cook, run, and do puzzles -- and campaign for global justice.
Meghna Kaul, MPH §
(She/her)
State Captain (CO)
Recent MPH Health Policy graduate from George Washington University. Driven to action by the experiences of my family and loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am passionate about reducing disparities and inequities in healthcare, as well as mitigating environmental factors which affect our health. I believe in a holistic approach to health, including addressing social determinants of health, emphasizing health education and preventive care, and integrative medicine.
In my free time I like to hike around the Foothills near Boulder, play my ukulele, explore museums, try out new recipes and recently have been dabbling in weightlifting.
State Captain (CO)
Recent MPH Health Policy graduate from George Washington University. Driven to action by the experiences of my family and loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am passionate about reducing disparities and inequities in healthcare, as well as mitigating environmental factors which affect our health. I believe in a holistic approach to health, including addressing social determinants of health, emphasizing health education and preventive care, and integrative medicine.
In my free time I like to hike around the Foothills near Boulder, play my ukulele, explore museums, try out new recipes and recently have been dabbling in weightlifting.
Jennifer M. Koo
(she/her)
State Captain (CT)
Fights oppression as a RESULTS Anti-Poverty Leader. Jennn-with-three-Ns strives to center health equity, racial justice, sustainability, disability accessibility/inclusion, and creativity in all her endeavors. She uses her voice (through research, narrative, & public policy) to dismantle racially-rooted health disparities and navigate the social determinants of health. To stay balanced, Jennn runs, hikes, gardens, meditates, & keeps a gratitude journal!
State Captain (CT)
Fights oppression as a RESULTS Anti-Poverty Leader. Jennn-with-three-Ns strives to center health equity, racial justice, sustainability, disability accessibility/inclusion, and creativity in all her endeavors. She uses her voice (through research, narrative, & public policy) to dismantle racially-rooted health disparities and navigate the social determinants of health. To stay balanced, Jennn runs, hikes, gardens, meditates, & keeps a gratitude journal!
Andrew Lewis
(he/him)
State Captain (CA)
Son of a Peruvian immigrant who has led a range of social impact campaigns across Los Angeles County and California, focusing on housing, the environment, and labor rights. Active with AFSCME 3299, Los Angeles Tenants Union, ACCE.
Los Angeles, CA
State Captain (CA)
Son of a Peruvian immigrant who has led a range of social impact campaigns across Los Angeles County and California, focusing on housing, the environment, and labor rights. Active with AFSCME 3299, Los Angeles Tenants Union, ACCE.
Los Angeles, CA
Maureen Luba
She/her
Maureen Luba is a global health advocate from Malawi with more than 10 years’ experience in HIV advocacy. She is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Global Health Delivery at Harvard Medical School.
Maureen Luba is a global health advocate from Malawi with more than 10 years’ experience in HIV advocacy. She is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Global Health Delivery at Harvard Medical School.
Harnoor Mann*
(she/her)
State Captain (OH)
Student in Journalism and Medical Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. She has focused her reporting on the intersection of grassroots movements and human rights advocacy including organizing efforts with the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, youth-led Latinx groups and BLM Cincinnati.
Cincinnati, OH.
State Captain (OH)
Student in Journalism and Medical Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. She has focused her reporting on the intersection of grassroots movements and human rights advocacy including organizing efforts with the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, youth-led Latinx groups and BLM Cincinnati.
Cincinnati, OH.
Lauren McCormick
(she/her)
Events Team Lead
Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Human Immunology and vaccine research. Organized as Team Coordinator for UNC-Chapel Hill PIH Engage, and working with the Fund for Global Health as an Advocacy Fellow. She was previously involved in anthropological research regarding water, sanitation, and hygiene in Jharkhand, India.
Washington, DC
Events Team Lead
Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Human Immunology and vaccine research. Organized as Team Coordinator for UNC-Chapel Hill PIH Engage, and working with the Fund for Global Health as an Advocacy Fellow. She was previously involved in anthropological research regarding water, sanitation, and hygiene in Jharkhand, India.
Washington, DC
Erika McKibben
(she/her)
State Captain (GA)
Outreach and Engagement Co-Team Lead
Community Advocate in Georgia wanting to be the voice for her community making sure there is equity and equality in underserved communities regarding health care. Her passion for advocacy work has span about 10 years working with victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault both as a Civilian and as a Military Contractor. After graduating from High School, she served in both U.S.Navy and U.S. Army. She has an Undergraduate and master's degree in Criminal Justice as well as a proud Disabled Veteran. She is an active member of the Child Fatality Review Board/MDT and Clayton County Task Force. She was chosen as a Georiga Obama Fellow to assist with re-election for president, worked as a Pollworker in GA for both recounts, and worked on Sen. Osoff campaign to get people registered to vote as well as support his political views. The death of her father from COVID-19 on April 7, 2020 has made Erika even more passionate, fighting to make sure another deadly pandemic does not take more lives.
State Captain (GA)
Outreach and Engagement Co-Team Lead
Community Advocate in Georgia wanting to be the voice for her community making sure there is equity and equality in underserved communities regarding health care. Her passion for advocacy work has span about 10 years working with victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault both as a Civilian and as a Military Contractor. After graduating from High School, she served in both U.S.Navy and U.S. Army. She has an Undergraduate and master's degree in Criminal Justice as well as a proud Disabled Veteran. She is an active member of the Child Fatality Review Board/MDT and Clayton County Task Force. She was chosen as a Georiga Obama Fellow to assist with re-election for president, worked as a Pollworker in GA for both recounts, and worked on Sen. Osoff campaign to get people registered to vote as well as support his political views. The death of her father from COVID-19 on April 7, 2020 has made Erika even more passionate, fighting to make sure another deadly pandemic does not take more lives.
Utkarsh Mehta
(he/him)
State Captain (WA)
Contact Congress team at Rebuilding Alliance. NorCal team at RESULTS. Undergraduate student from India. Lobby Action Alumni at Today's Student Coalition. Lobby alum at Friends Committee on National Legislation. Advocacy Team Lead at #IndiaCovidSOS.
Hyderabad, India/Sacramento, CA
State Captain (WA)
Contact Congress team at Rebuilding Alliance. NorCal team at RESULTS. Undergraduate student from India. Lobby Action Alumni at Today's Student Coalition. Lobby alum at Friends Committee on National Legislation. Advocacy Team Lead at #IndiaCovidSOS.
Hyderabad, India/Sacramento, CA
Catherine Myers
(she/her)
State Captain (ME)
Senior at the University of Connecticut studying Allied Health Sciences and Spanish. She has been involved with the PIH Engage team at UConn where she is currently a co-team coordinator. She loves to hike, advocate for change, run, drink coffee, organize for justice and travel.
Storrs, CT
State Captain (ME)
Senior at the University of Connecticut studying Allied Health Sciences and Spanish. She has been involved with the PIH Engage team at UConn where she is currently a co-team coordinator. She loves to hike, advocate for change, run, drink coffee, organize for justice and travel.
Storrs, CT
Chris Noble §
(he/him)
Organizing Co-Lead
Regional Organizer (New England)
Public Health Policy and Community Organizer. Former community fellow for Marshall Ganz Leadership, Organizing and Action Program at Harvard Kennedy School and community organizer with Health Care For All, Right Care Alliance, MassCare, Universities Allied For Essential Medicines, Partners in Health Engage, and the 100 Campaign. Has worked in Latin America, East and Southern Africa on health system implementation science with Partners in Health and Harvard Medical School. Called to health justice advocacy from a personal diagnosis of type one diabetes as a child and understanding first hand the importance of fighting for health care as a human right guaranteed to all.
Steadily giving big pharma hell from Cambridge, MA.
Organizing Co-Lead
Regional Organizer (New England)
Public Health Policy and Community Organizer. Former community fellow for Marshall Ganz Leadership, Organizing and Action Program at Harvard Kennedy School and community organizer with Health Care For All, Right Care Alliance, MassCare, Universities Allied For Essential Medicines, Partners in Health Engage, and the 100 Campaign. Has worked in Latin America, East and Southern Africa on health system implementation science with Partners in Health and Harvard Medical School. Called to health justice advocacy from a personal diagnosis of type one diabetes as a child and understanding first hand the importance of fighting for health care as a human right guaranteed to all.
Steadily giving big pharma hell from Cambridge, MA.
Dom Oddo §
(he/him)
Regional Organizer (Southwest)
Graduate student at the University of New Mexico in the Astrophysics PhD program, and serves as state captain for both New Mexico and Arizona. Although he does scientific research by trade, he is dedicated to the realization of the universal right to health.
Albuquerque, NM.
Regional Organizer (Southwest)
Graduate student at the University of New Mexico in the Astrophysics PhD program, and serves as state captain for both New Mexico and Arizona. Although he does scientific research by trade, he is dedicated to the realization of the universal right to health.
Albuquerque, NM.
Johain Ounadjela*
(he/him)
Regional Organizer (Northwest)
Works in genomics research at the Broad Institute with a particular focus on decoding the human placenta, the least understood organ in the body, with the ultimate desire to improve maternal health outcomes and understand more about pregnancy. He seeks to investigate global health disparities through the lens of biomedical research and clinical work, and is a part of PIH Engage Boston as well as a volunteer at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Regional Organizer (Northwest)
Works in genomics research at the Broad Institute with a particular focus on decoding the human placenta, the least understood organ in the body, with the ultimate desire to improve maternal health outcomes and understand more about pregnancy. He seeks to investigate global health disparities through the lens of biomedical research and clinical work, and is a part of PIH Engage Boston as well as a volunteer at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Dr. Krishna Prabhu, MD, MSc
(he/him)
State Captain (MN)
Dr. Krishna Prabhu is an internal medicine physician. He has been a frontline healthcare worker from the beginning of the COVID pandemic, caring for hospitalized and critically ill patients. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his Master's degree in Social Policy from the University of Oxford. He has been a global health activist for over a decade and serves as State Captain for Minnesota for Right to Health Action.
State Captain (MN)
Dr. Krishna Prabhu is an internal medicine physician. He has been a frontline healthcare worker from the beginning of the COVID pandemic, caring for hospitalized and critically ill patients. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his Master's degree in Social Policy from the University of Oxford. He has been a global health activist for over a decade and serves as State Captain for Minnesota for Right to Health Action.
* denotes leadership on the Right to Health Action Board
§ = Staff or Fellow
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