Building the Pathway Together

Greg Darville II, MD graduated from the Emory University School of Medicine. He then matched into residency in orthopaedic surgery at Emory University. Dr. Darville has demonstrated his passion for mentorship and leadership through volunteering, speaking engagements, and involvement in pre-medical mentorship programming with the Student National Medical Association. He has also built mentorship relationships with pre-medical students through both institutional and student-led Emory University School of Medicine recruitment initiatives, as he continues to champion strategic approaches to health equity in medicine at the local and national levels.

Taha Elseaidy, MD graduated from Morehouse School of Medicine. He then matched into residency in orthopaedic surgery at Wake Forest. Dr. Elseaidy, worked through medical school as the manager of a student run clinic. He was selected by a group of orthopedic surgeons to join Nth DimensionsTM, which has a mission of increasing underrepresented surgeons in medicine.

Zeke Ramos, MD graduated from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He then matched into residency in family medicine at Swedish – Cherry Hill. As a medical student, Dr. Ramos was in the Primary Care Scholar program and worked at a student-run free clinic in multiple roles including Case Manager Chair and Teaching Senior. He also helped lead a fundraising effort that raised over $67,000 to provide food boxes, medical supplies, and cash grants to the East Harlem low-income undocumented population.

Sabina Spigner, MD, MPH graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She then matched into residency in obstetrics and gynecology at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. Dr. Spigner has interests in improving inclusivity and accessibility of reproductive and sexual health spaces through several initiatives. These include creating more inclusive spaces within the hospital, collaborating with faculty to address lack of gender-neutral and inclusive language in educational materials, and helping to establish a scholarship for incoming LGBTQ+ medical students. Additionally, she served as the Executive Director of Medical Student Pride Alliance (MSPA) from 2021-2023.

Geryn Hasty Peggins, MD graduated from Meharry Medical College. She then matched into residency in anesthesiology at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Hasty Peggins is dedicated to compassionately serving minority communities aiming to reduce barriers to high-quality healthcare, including volunteering her time at Salt Wagon Clinic and Heart n Soul Hospice Agency in Nashville, TN. She was nominated to participate in the 'Made to Save' Campaign roundtable discussion with President Barack Obama, where she directly shared her views on the COVID-19 vaccine, education, and its impact on the surrounding community.

Tara Everett, MD graduated from the Baylor College of Medicine. She then matched into residency in family medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Everett has demonstrated a passion for helping underserved communities by volunteering at the Houston Food Bank, providing preventative health services, and acting as a Learning Community Volunteer Chair and Service Learning Program student leader. In medical school, Dr. Everett received her school’s Dean’s Distinction in Service Learning for three years and completed the Care of the Underserved Pathway educational track.

Edgar Vega, MD graduated from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. He then matched into residency in emergency medicine at Kaiser Permanente San Diego. Dr. Vega is committed to health equity and is the Co-Founder of Fade Hypertension, a community-based organization that offers blood pressure readings to community members in a non- clinical, low stress environment setting to detect early-stage hypertension.

Indigo Gill, MD, MS graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She then matched into residency in family medicine at UCSF. Dr. Gill has been a vibrant leader of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), in which she developed a pathway program for local students to explore careers in medicine, focused on health care advocacy, and developed curriculum for her medical school.

Sherley Collado Justiniano, MD graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She then matched into residency in pediatrics at the University of Puerto Rico. Dr. Collado Justiniano has excelled in volunteer and research activities. She has supported patients from underserved communities, by working as a medical interpreter, and focusing on creating a safe environment for patients and their families.

Betlihem Dilnessa Ayalew, MD, MS graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. She then matched into residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ayalew’s areas of interest include global health, reproductive justice, immigrant and refugee women’s health. She has conducted vaccine development research with the United States Military HIV Research Program and the NIH Vaccine Research Center. She also completed the NIH Academy Fellowship Program on Health Disparities which allowed her to develop and implement community outreach projects. Dr. Ayalew is committed to health equity and is a published author on the health of children in immigrant families.