Meet the MEDLIFE Executive Board
2020-2021
Ellen Park
President
Hi! My name is Ellen Park and I am the president of Cornell MEDLIFE. I am a junior environment and sustainability major with developmental sociology, health equity, global health, and business minors! I have been apart of MEDLIFE since my freshman fall and admire the mission of MEDLIFE to help those who have problems with affordability and access in regard to health care. MEDLIFE aligns with my personal, academic, and professional interests and I hope to make an impact on both our community and MEDLIFE members by teaching them more about our amazing organization!
David Braunstein
Vice President
Hi, my name is David Braunstein and I am a senior majoring in Global and Public Health Sciences and minoring in infectious disease sciences. I am currently on the pre-med path and would love to specialize in infectious disease I am MEDLIFE’s 2020 Vice President. I have been on two brigades with MEDLIFE, summer 2017 to Riobamba, Ecuador and Winter 2018 to Lima, Peru. Working with MEDLIFE has allowed me to view medicine in a global context and furthered my interest in medical care internationally. Outside of MEDLIFE, I am doing research in the Harrington Lab working with mosquito breeding and vector-borne diseases. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our G-body meetings and coffee chats and inspiring a new class of MEDLIFE members!
Andrew Kim
Secretary
Hi! My name is Andrew Kim and I am excited to be the Secretary for the MEDLIFE chapter at Cornell! I’m a sophomore studying Biological Sciences at Cornell. I recently went on the Winter 2019 brigade to Cusco, Peru and had a truly eye-opening experience while providing support for medical staff in multiple communities lacking access to basic health care. The service-based learning opportunity emphasized a combination of widespread education and careful use of technology to actively address public health issues in a larger context. MEDLIFE has helped me better understand the important dynamics of local and global communities. On campus, I am involved in Camp Kesem, work as a fitness monitor for the Cornell Fitness Centers, and am a part of the Weill-Ithaca Network.
Serene Raslan
Treasurer
Hi! My name is Serene Raslan and I'm stoked to be Treasurer of MEDLIFE's Cornell chapter! I'm a senior majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, and minoring in Global Health and Nutrition and Health. On campus, I'm also a guide for Outdoor Odyssey. I'm lucky to be part of such an eye-opening organization that covers Global Health in a variety of different perspectives and hands-on experiences. I'm really looking forward to seeing both new and returning MEDLIFE members!
Grace Chen
Co-Brigade Director
Hi! My name is Grace and I am MEDLIFE's Brigade Director. I am a senior studying Biology and Spanish at Cornell. As Brigade Director, I help coordinate all brigade related activities such as registering and coordinating the international brigade trips for our members! I went on a Medlife brigade to Peru during the winter of 2017, and my trip really impacted my views on healthcare issues, especially in communities that are different than my own. Other than Medlife, I am also a part of Cornell’s Chinese Students Association and am an undergraduate researcher in the Hume Lab.
Mia Mahmoud
Co-Brigade Director
Hi, my name is Mia Mahmoud, and I serve as a Co-Brigade Director on the MEDLIFE E-board. I am a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Biology and Society with the hopes of obtaining two minors in History and Global Health. In January of 2020, I participated in the SLT to Cusco, Peru. This trip opened my eyes to my own personal blinders and privilege. Generosity and sustainability with the goal of community empowerment were truly evident during my time in Cusco, Peru with MEDLIFE. The SLT to Peru deepened my understanding of the intersection between education and health, along with the necessity of empathy-driven solutions. On campus, I hope to serve our under-resourced communities in Tompkins County. Outside of MEDLIFE, I am involved in Cru, one of Cornell’s Christian Clubs on campus, and SOSA, a 501-c organization that aims to revitalize the educational landscape of various African Communities.
Kusala Anupindi
Co-G-Body Coordinator
My name is Kusala and I am a sophomore from Denver, Colorado. I am majoring in Global and Public Health Sciences and am a pre-med student. As one of the General Body Coordinators, I hope to uphold MEDLIFE's mission of education and community service during weekly meetings and service activities.
Viraj Giovani
Co-G-Body Coordinator
My name is Viraj Govani and I am a sophomore studying Biological Sciences as a part of CAS. I am involved with research at the Cummings lab, REACH, and Big Red Raas apart from MEDLife. Some hobbies that I like to do is dance, make art, play tennis, and play the tuba. I serve as the Co-G-body coordinator.
Dana Ratnarajah
On Campus Activities Director
Hi! My name is Dana Ratnarajah, and I am a junior majoring in Human Biology, Health & Society with hopes of pursuing a career in medicine. I am currently MEDLIFE’s On-Campus Activities Director. As OCAD, I organize events on campus to raise awareness about issues related to global and public health. This past winter break, I went on the brigade to Peru, where I witnessed firsthand the severe lack of resources in the rural areas of Cusco, as well as the impact of cultural differences on the care and treatment of patients. What drew me into the MEDLIFE organization was its mission to abolish barriers throughout the world to healthcare and education while focusing on sustainability.
Vincent Zhang
Community Outreach Director
Hi! My name is Vincent and I'm currently the MEDLife Community Outreach Director. I'm a sophomore in the Arts and Science majoring in Biology and Society on the pre-med track. I want to increase our connections and interactions with our local area, especially where living on campus can become isolated from the outside world. I'm currently also under the Hanson lab and Butcher lab conducting research, and on Club Track and Field.
Amy Kuang
Publicity
Hi! My name is Amy, and I'm the Publicity Chair for MEDLIFE. I'm a sophomore in the College of Human Ecology, majoring in Human Biology, Health and Society and minoring in Global Health. I am currently on the pre-PA track. I've been on one brigade during the winter of 2019Â to Cusco, Peru. Joining MEDLIFE has allowed me to view medicine is a global aspect. Outside of MEDLIFE, I am part of the Cornell Surgical Society and will be a future Undergraduate TA for Chemistry 2070.
Kim Pham
Fundraising Co-Director
Hi, my name is Kim Pham!! I am the Fundraising Co-director and a junior studying Biology in CAS. I went on the Winter 2019 brigade to Cusco, Peru, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I shadowed and assisted medical professionals in mobile clinics in three different underserved communities. Despite the language barrier, I was able to connect with some of the patients, especially the kids I met at the toothbrushing station. Outside of MEDLIFE, I am part of PATCH and WSH Student Union Board and work at the Vet Library! In my free time, I make and sell polymer clay creations to raise money for different causes and organizations. My fundraiser is called "Charms for Smiles" (see my work @charmsforsmiles on IG)
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Tanmay Mehta
Fundraising Co-Director
My name is Tanmay Mehta and I am a junior majoring in Human Biology, Health, and Society with a minor in Business. As the Fundraising Director of MEDLIFE, I am passionate about raising money for charitable causes and implementing medical technology to help others. I also plan to continue my pursuits in medical school after graduation. I devote time as an undergraduate researcher at Dr. Weiss' cancer biology lab at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Outside of my academics, I am involved with the Biomedical Device project team, medical service clubs, and various premedical organizations. I also enjoy spending time with my friends, working out, running, and playing the saxophone.