Our Mentees

Maya Sherrell

3rd Year - University of Utah

Maya is a third year undergraduate student at the University of Utah. She serves in two leadership positions, as well as community service projects. She is looking forward to connecting with medical professionals who are willing to share their experiences in the healthcare industry. She loves basketball, fly fishing, and golf. 

Pita Moses

Undergraduate - University of Utah

Pita Moses is an undergraduate student studying kinesiology at the University of Utah. Her interest in medicine, specifically pediatrics, stems from her previous health history and her very own pediatrician saving her life. Additionally, she aspires to help bridge the gap amongst the African-American community and the healthcare system in America. Pita speaks both Arabic and Kakwa. She enjoys photography and writing, as well as braiding hair in her free time.

Michael Anaafi

Senior year - University of Utah

Michael Anaafi is a senior at Weber State University finishing up his last semester. He is involved in research projects with his professors. As well as, preparing for the MCAT in order to take the exam in January. His areas of interest include cardiology and oncology. His parents grew up in Ghana, but he grew up in Salt Lake City and attended Murray High School. He enjoys playing basketball, watching anime, and spending time with friends and family.

Isaiah Shipp

4th year - University of Utah

Isaiah Shipp, a first generation college student at the University of Utah, is passionate about inspiring and enabling youth of color to pursue careers in medicine. His aspirations include graduating from the University of Utah, attending medical school, and furthering the reach of BPOU into local communities.

Keegan Musaalo

4th year - Brigham Young University

Keegan Musaalo is a fourth-year Biochemistry Major at Brigham Young University. He has interests in biochemical and molecular biology research and is currently researching non-canonical transcription termination mechanisms in E. coli.  He is passionate about creating bridges and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the BYU student body.

Ajak Arok

4th year - University of Utah

Ajak Arok is a fourth year Biology Major at the University of Utah. He is originally from South Sudan but has lived in Utah for the last 18 years. He has a strong interest in molecular bio research and has an interest in Internal Medicine. He hopes to return to South Sudan in the future to build and operate a Medical School.

Yvensha Madeika Vercella

4th year - University of Utah

Madeika Vercella is a fourth year Honors English major and pre-medical student at the University of Utah. An emerging writer, she is an alum of the selective Honors Novel Writing Workshop and is currently at work on a coming-of-age novel. Madeika is also a member of the YWCA Woke Words art & writing collective and their work has been recognized nationally.

Niyera Nyandagarp

3rd year - University of Utah

Niyera Nyandagaro is a 3rd year premed undergraduate at the University of Utah and is majoring is Health, Society, and Policy HBS.  She is also minoring in Chemistry. Niyera was born in Tanzania, Africa and was raised right here in Salt Lake City.  She is interested in health care (access, affordability & quality), public health, and health promotion.

Ayan Nor

University of Utah graduate, Health Promotion and Education
Community Health Worker, Salt Lake County

Ayan Nor graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Health Promotion and Education.  She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health before applying to Medical school.  Her passion for medicine and public health stems from experiences she has growing up in the U.S as a Somali Refugee and working in healthcare.  As a community Health Educator, Ayan works to create safer spaces for underserved communities by providing education on cultural awareness and pushing for more diversity in healthcare settings. She dedicates her effort to breaking down barriers that cause health disparities.

Princess Bombyck

Post-Bac Student, Weber State University
Community Health Worker, Salt Lake County

Princess Bombyck is a post-baccalaureate student at Weber State where she is currently completing her Pre-Med studies.  Princess has a B.A. in Public Health and a strong interest in Population Health.  She plans to pursue a dual MD-PhD degree as she begins her medical career.

Makay Bere

3rd year- University of Utah

Makay Bere is a 3rd year at the University of Utah. She is majoring in Health Society & Policy and is minoring in Biomedical Engineering and Pre-Med.

Akow Ibrahim

4th year - University of Utah

Akow Ibrahim is a fourth year honors student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health, Society and Policy while on a pre-medical track.  She hopes to bridge the gap between medical and educational resources for patients with unmet social needs.  Akow plans to engage in local programs that focus on patient education and patient empowerment as she pursues entry into medical school.

Helen Dodson

4th year - University of Utah

Helen Dodson is a 4th year at the University of Utah pursuing a Major in Health Anthropology and a minor in Arabic.  She is interested in becoming an Air-Force physician and eventually a Foreign Services Medical Officer.  Helen currently has a strong interest in the fields of Psychiatry and General Surgery.

Kiese Mpongo

Senior - Brigham Young University

Kiese Mpongo is 23 years old and is from Cary, North Carolina. She is a senior at BYU studying public health with an emphasis in health science. Kiese is Congolese-American and a proud daughter of immigrant parents from the Congo. She loves to shoot film photography, play with her nieces and nephews, and speak Portuguese.  She is interested in all areas , but her top choices are dermatology or OBGYN.