ElevateMeD Scholar: Melba Avalos

Meet Melba Avalos

ElevateMeD Scholar 2025-26

Melba Avalos shares her non-traditional path to medicine and the power of seeds of hope planted by the people around us. Her journey is a reminder that encouragement—no matter how small—can change the course of someone’s life.

Hometown: Fresno, California
Medical Education: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate Education: University of California, Santa Cruz in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology
Current Career Plan: Practice as a psychiatrist in underserved areas and learn more about the relationship between PTSD and mental health.
Specialty Interest: Psychiatry
I am most proud of my growth mindset and self-awareness that I have been working on over the past three years while in therapy.
You might be surprised to know that I lived in Barbados for 6 months.
ElevateMeD is… a powerful organization that strives to uplift underrepresented students in medicine to an equal playing field by providing mentorship, a community, and decreasing the financial burden.

Other ElevateMeD Scholars

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News Spotlights

Scholar Spotlights

News

Emory University School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Aly Toure

Emory University School of Medicine

Aly Toure was shaped by his upbringing in Mali, where he witnessed family members struggle with treatable conditions due to limited healthcare infrastructure.

Emory University School of Medicine

Morehouse School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Naomi Coles

Morehouse School of Medicine

Naomi Coles was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after witnessing loved ones battle illnesses like cancer and heart disease. These experiences opened her eyes to the importance of access, awareness, and quality care across communities.

Morehouse School of Medicine

East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Godgive Umozurike

East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine

Godgive Umozurike reflects on the power of names and how hers was misunderstood by others. But through witnessing her mother’s struggle during a traumatic episode, she discovered the true strength behind her own name and the deeper meaning of healing.

East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Melba Avalos

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Shane Scott

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Shane Scott has seen the effects of delayed healthcare and delayed diagnosis, and is inspired to become part of the solution.

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

ElevateMeD Scholar: Jada Lusk

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

Jada Lusk first became interested in medicine through her own personal medical history. Now, she is passionate about providing the same level of compassionate care she received.

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Jerry Shepherd

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Jerry Shepherd was introduced to the endless possibilities of medicine when he suffered from neuroinflammation as a pediatric patient. This personal experience has inspired Jerry to become a neurosurgeon and to inspire youth in his community.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

UT Southwestern Medical School

ElevateMeD Scholar: Adurape Osunjimi

UT Southwestern Medical School

Adurape "Ayo" Osunjimi shares the stories that inspired him to pursue a career in medicine, experiences that shed light on the real-life financial barriers that impact access to care, and plans to mitigate these challenges by providing resources and compassionate care.

UT Southwestern Medical School

University of Washington School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Shelby Snyder

University of Washington School of Medicine

Shelby Snyder was inspired to pursue medicine by watching her father integrate cultural knowledge with Western medicine. She now aspires to embody that same spirit as a future provider, serving Native communities as an uplifting and empowering presence.

University of Washington School of Medicine

University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences

ElevateMeD Scholar: Annie Ferguson

University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Annie Ferguson chose a career in medicine to help bridge healthcare gaps in communities where cultural competency is rare. Her passion for creating positive change and inspiring young women to pursue medicine continues to light the way toward a brighter, more inclusive future!

University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Donor Spotlights

News

Strengthening the ElevateMeD Scholars Program Through Partnership

Dr. David and Betty Gullen are dedicated supporters of ElevateMeD whose partnership plays a critical role in strengthening the foundation of the ElevateMeD Scholars Program.

The Cagnolatti Daniels Family Foundation commits to ElevateMeD

Lisa Cagnolatti, on behalf of her husband Ed and The Cagnolatti Daniels Family Foundation, underscored the urgent need for culturally competent care and the critical importance of supporting ElevateMeD’s mission.

The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation Partners with ElevateMeD

What does The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation and #ElevateMeD have in common? A commitment to HEALTH EQUITY!

"The Many" of Mayo Clinic

Watch remarks from Mayo Clinic CEO in Arizona, Dr. Richard Gray shared remarks this year and was introduced by 2024-25 ElevateMeD Scholar and 4th year Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine medical student, Casey Martinez.

How Student Organizations Like @OhioAMSA Help Support ElevateMeD

Student organizations like Ohio University American Medical Student Association help us engage bright minds and expand our reach. These organizations are filled with future physicians who will become leaders, thinkers, and doers. We must not only look for ways to partner with these student organizations but also continue to encourage and support them along their physician journey.

Why Council & Associates Gives.

Each year since 2019, Council and Associates LLC has risen to the occasion to become an event sponsor for our Explosion of a Dream and Ignite Atlanta scholarship events. We asked owner, Lashonda Council-Rogers, Esq., to share the why behind her generous giving and to give a view of what she experiences attending ElevateMeD events as a sponsor.

Walton Isaacson Helps ElevateMeD Support The Future of Medicine

Founded in 2006, Walton Isaacson is one of the most respected advertising agencies in the world, having worked with clients such as Lexus, McDonalds, and Amazon to name a few.

Love, Tito’s Continues Support of ElevateMeD Mission During Black History Month

Thank you #LoveTitos for continuing to support our mission and acknowledging the work that we are doing to elevate the field of medicine!

All Medical Personnel donates over $43,000 to ElevateMeD

All Medical Personnel’s partnership with ElevateMeD continues with a generous donation of $43,000 in 2022. In 2021, $52,647 was raised totaling over $95,000 for the past two years.

Bayless Commitment to Mental Health Scholarship

As part of a two-year pledge to ElevateMeD, this special scholarship is awarded to ElevateMeD Scholars who present a desire to pursue a medical career that will impact mental health in communities of color.

RICARDO CORREA, MD, EDD, FACP, FACE, FACMQ

Health Care Disparities and the Latinx Population (Read Article)

MARISSA VASQUEZ, MD, MBA

Latinas in Motion Impacting the Sports Industry (Read Article)

News

ElevateMeD

Passion Proven Leadership at ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD

Jeff joined ElevateMeD in February 2025 from Columbia, South Carolina bringing infectious passion, proven leadership, and decades of successful nonprofit leadership.

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Three New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Four New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Our Newest Board Member Dr. Jeshenna Watkins

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Board Member…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Four New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

Keiona Eady

Congratulations to our Advisory Board Members on #Match2022!

Keiona Eady

Congratulations are in order for our Advisory Board Members Sophia Ederaine and Johanny Lopez Dominguez! We were honored to celebrate with them this #MatchDay2022, as they both learned about their residency upon graduation this Spring!

Keiona Eady

Alyx Porter Umphrey, MD, FAAN

Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey Receives the 2020 Dean's Diversity/Inclusion Award at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Alyx Porter Umphrey, MD, FAAN

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

It was not easy for me

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

I decided to join the Board of Directors for ElevateMeD because it aligns with my core value of inclusion. The literature showed that to provide the best healthcare to our patients, we need to understand their culture, speak their language, among other factors.

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

The time to transform healthcare is now!

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

Healthcare is my ministry. It is a calling and my inroad to impact social change. I firmly believe that any disparity within our industry serves as a microcosm for injustices that continue to plague society-at-large. I am on a mission to truly transform healthcare and looking to partner with anyone that shares the same mindset.

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS

You can't be what you can't see.

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS

I chose to pursue a career in anesthesiology because I enjoy moment-to-moment decision making as well as the practical application of physiology and pharmacology. 3% of anesthesiologists are reported to identify as Black/African-American. Of those 3%, the majority are women.

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS