News

ElevateMeD Announcements and Updates

ElevateMeD Scholar: Isaiah Hughes

Isaiah Hughes shares how growing up in an underserved community with deep-rooted mistrust toward the healthcare system inspires his pursuits in medicine.

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ElevateMeD Scholar: Dante Puntiel

Dante Puntiel shares the devastating outcomes that underserved communities face when they lack access to preventative care and how it fuels his determination to advocate for them and make a difference.

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Explosion of a Dream 2025: Scholars Summit

This year’s Scholars Summit convened our newest ElevateMeD Scholars alongside alumni-physicians for a high-impact experience focused on leadership, wellness, advocacy, financial readiness, and community engagement. Across three days, Scholars learned from physician leaders, corporate partners, and facilitators; strengthened their professional narratives; and built lasting connections with mentors, board members, children and parents from underserved communities, and each other.

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Recap: Explosion of a Dream 2025 Annual Scholarship Event

The 2025 Explosion of a Dream weekend (September 19-21) featured our fifth annual Scholars Summit and our seventh signature fundraising event, Explosion of a Dream in support of the ElevateMeD Scholars Program. Guests and ElevateMeD Scholars gathered from across the country for the second year in a row at the Camby Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona!

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ElevateMeD Scholar: Czarina Retana

Czarina Retana's journey to medicine was faced by many hardships in her community, ranging from economic challenges to lack of equal care. This developed her commitment to serve and desire to be present for patients during their most difficult moments by providing compassion and an open ear.

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ElevateMeD Awards a Trailblazer Award to Marion Kelly

ElevateMeD presents its fifth Trailblazer Award to Mr. Marion Kelly at its Explosion of a Dream fundraising event, on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at The Camby in Phoenix, Arizona. Table and ticket sales available until September 12, 2025 at dream.elevatemed.org.

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ElevateMeD Awards 2025 Breaking Barriers Award to Dr. Victor Waters

ElevateMeD presents its fifth Breaking Barriers Award to Dr. Victor Waters at its Explosion of a Dream fundraising event, on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at The Camby in Phoenix, Arizona. Table and ticket sales available until September 12, 2025 at dream.elevatemed.org.

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ElevateMeD Scholar: Chikodi Ohaya

Chikodi Ohaya is inspired by her mother's acts of kindness and her resilience and how dermatology serves as an avenue for change in burn care across community, clinics, and classrooms.

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ElevateMeD Talk: Cracking the Match

MODERATOR: Dr. Casey Martinez

PANELISTS: Dr. Adam Milam, Dr. Heather Burrows, Dr. Lynn Smitherman

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ElevateMeD Scholar: Adam Brown

Adam Brown discovered medicine as a transformative force, shaping every aspect of his life through the mission of serving others in need. With that force came the honor of stepping into a leadership role within his community.

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ElevateMeD Scholar: Elizette Rodriguez

Elizette Rodriguez discovered her passion for OB/GYN from the first time she stepped into the delivery room. The power of supporting a woman in her most vulnerable and meaningful moments has assured Elizette of the lasting impact she can make.

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Recap: Ignite Chicago 2025 Scholarship Event

On Sunday, July 20 at the Untitled Supper Club in Chicago, ElevateMeD was hosted by PNC bank and the Thomas Blocker Society in support of our Scholars Program. Joined by nearly 100 physicians and individuals dedicated to equity in healthcare, we were able to highlight the success of our holistic program addressing challenges in representation in medicine from scholarships to mentorship and leadership development.

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ElevateMeD’s Explosion of a Dream 2025 to Celebrate Leadership, Legacy, and the Future of Medicine

ElevateMeD is proud to announce its annual fundraising gala, Explosion of a Dream, taking place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at The Camby in Phoenix, Arizona. The evening will spotlight the transformative work ElevateMeD is doing to promote equitable health outcomes for all through a representative physician workforce, while also honoring community leaders and elevating the voices of the next generation of physician leaders.

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ElevateMeD Scholar: Jessica Norman

Jessica Norman reflects on the driving motivator that led her to medicine, shedding light on essential characteristics that every doctor needs—listening skills and empathy.

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ElevateMeD Scholar: Ariel Walker

Ariel Walker witnessed her father suffer a stroke that ultimately ignited her "lifelong passion for the brain" in neurosurgery. Through the skillsets of precision and versatility, Ariel is challenged yet thrilled to approach every patient with the goal of their healing in real time.

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ElevateMeD Scholar: Ruth Amaku

Ruth Amaku has found purpose in medicine from her own journey in sports. She believed that her journey exposed the importance of general wellness, and looks forward to applying this in her future journey as a sports medicine physician.

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Recap: Ignite DC 2025 Scholarship Event

We gathered in Washington, DC to shine a light on a cause that matters – opening doors for future doctors who reflect the communities they will one day serve. It was an evening filled with connection, purpose, and powerful stories.

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ElevateMeD Scholar: Keleb Mehari

Keleb Mehari believes that his journey through medicine is about healing and being a source of great emotional understanding for his patients, driven by his own experiences and injuries. To Keleb, being a healer is not just an approach, but a general embodiment.

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