Meet The Board
Dr. Abdullah Pratt
Founder
Chief Executive Director
Dr. Abdullah Hasan Pratt, is an Assistant Professor and Emergency Medicine Physician at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Known as “Dee”; Dr. Pratt’s goal has always been to have a career advocating for underserved communities and addressing systemic healthcare disparities. He attributes this commitment to his childhood experiences witnessing the poor health conditions, premature deaths, and day to day struggles from a lack of access to proper healthcare by the people he cared about. This was most evident in the wake of his older brother’s murder secondary to gun violence, where in coping with the loss, he dedicated his efforts towards mentoring at risk youth, coaching youth football, and community organizing around violence prevention. As an Emergency Medicine physician, he continues to vigorously work to improve health literacy and emergency preparedness through teaching South-Side residents how to properly respond to cardiac arrests, penetrating traumas (gunshot victims), and strokes prior to the arrival of medical assistance.
As an Emergency Medicine Physician, he has vigorously worked to improve health literacy and emergency preparedness through teaching Southside residents how to properly respond to cardiac arrests, penetrating traumas (gunshot victims), and strokes prior to the arrival of medical assistance. From serving as a ringside/sideline team physician, to cultivating the next generation of healthcare professionals, to simply fighting to preserve lives both in and out of a level one trauma center; it isn’t important to Dr. Pratt what activities he engages in, but rather where and to whom he dedicates his time. By initiating events within the underserved communities closest to his home and hospital where he works, he hopes to help bring change by playing a small roll with others, with hopes of making an impact for all.
Twitter: @DocOffTheBlock
Instagram: @doc_off_the_block
Dr. Kenneth Wilson
Board Chair
Dr. Kenneth L. Wilson is an Associate Professor of Surgery. He completed his undergraduate degree at Emory University. He graduated from Howard University School of Medicine and completed his residency in General Surgery at Morehouse School of Medicine. His Trauma and Surgical Critical Care fellowship was completed at Henry Ford Hospital. Immediately following fellowship, he joined the faculty at Morehouse School of Medicine and was the Chief of Trauma for Morehouse School of Medicine and an Associate Director of Trauma for the Marcus Trauma Center at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. His commitment to serving as a trauma surgeon in large urban centers has led him to be involved in establishing the trauma center at the University of Chicago.
Dr. Wilson currently holds the rank of Colonel in the United States Army and has multiple deployments to Africa, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr. Wilson is actively involved in both resident and medical student training and has received several teaching awards. Along with being a teacher, Dr. Wilson is an active researcher, and has been widely published on multiple trauma topics including military trauma and trauma surgical outcomes. He is also interested in the association between race and socioeconomic status on trauma-related health outcomes.
Tai Donovan
Board Secretary
Tai Donovan is a fourth-year medical student with a deep passion for Emergency Medicine and increasing representation in the healthcare field. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Howard University in Washington, DC, and a Master's in Health Care Administration. Tai has over five years of experience as a Nationally Registered EMT for the New York City 911-system and the New Meadowlands Giants Stadium. She is also a certified AHA CPR and First Aid instructor and has started her own successful training business, which has contracts throughout the five boroughs.
Driven by her desire to serve her community, Tai created her own non-profit organization that provides resources, health education, and health services to domestic violence and homeless shelters across New York City. Her non-profit experience extends beyond her organization, as she has also worked with other non-profit organizations such as the American Association of People with Disabilities on the disability vote project.
Tai has held various leadership positions throughout her academic and professional career, including Vice Chair to the SNMA National Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS), the 2022-2023 SNMA Region 4 Leadership Intern, and President of the organization's Emergency Medicine Interest Group that currently has over 500 student members. She is also the Vice-Chair for the American Academy of Emergency Medicine's Cabinet of Delegates and an active member of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion simulation committee, where she is working on creating a SIMS workshop aimed at training healthcare professionals on how to navigate microaggressions in the workplace.
Tai's commitment to improving representation in medicine, combating health disparities, and serving her community is the driving force behind her dedication to making a positive impact in her field and beyond.
Twitter: @T_Donovan81
Instagram: @dr._donovan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taidonovan/
Lauren Parrott, CPA
Board Treasurer
Lauren Parrott is an accomplished Certified Public Accountant (CPA) based in Chicago, IL, with over 8 years of experience in assurance engagements, analytics, and consulting. With a wealth of experience in public accounting, Lauren has honed her skills in tax planning, accounting, and financial reporting, giving her a deep understanding of the complex tax laws and regulations.
Lauren's expertise spans across various sectors and industries, having performed external audits in public accounting for government entities and nonprofits, as well as internal audits and analytics with fortune 1000 and publicly traded companies. Her diverse experience has allowed her to work with a range of clients, from small businesses and entrepreneurs to global conglomerates such as Cushman and Wakefield.
Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Lauren is deeply committed to giving back to the community and helping underserved youth. Her passion for community involvement has driven her to volunteer with local organizations that provide educational and financial resources to disadvantaged youth in the area.
As a financial professional, Lauren is dedicated to ensuring that businesses and individuals can make informed financial decisions, and she strives to deliver exceptional service to her clients.
Instagram: @ItsLaurenParrott
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenParrottCPA/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-parrott-cpa-73894954/
Dr. Ameera Haamid
Chief Research Director
Dr. Ameera Haamid is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Chicago and associate medical director for Chicago South EMS. She also serves as the EMS Rotation Director and is deeply committed to promoting health equity in the field of emergency medicine. Alongside her work in one of the busiest emergency departments in the country, Dr. Haamid has been actively involved in developing education and initiatives to address structural racism, social justice, and health inequities.
Dr. Haamid is a member of the advisory board and research council for the American Foundation for Firearm Injury Reduction in Medicine (AFFIRM), where she advocates for solutions to our nation's gun violence epidemic. She has co-written two grants aimed at reducing gun violence among underrepresented populations.
Dr. Haamid earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and her Bachelor's of Science from Jackson State University. She completed her EMS fellowship at Denver Health Medical Center and her emergency medicine residency at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital at Cook County Health. With her extensive training and professional experience, Dr. Haamid is a highly respected authority in her field and a dedicated champion for health equity and social justice.
Twitter: @HaamidtheMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameera-haamid-32324319/
Symphony Fletcher
Founder
Senior Research Officer
Symphony Fletcher is a third-year medical student at the Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago, specializing in Emergency Medicine. Her dedication to using her voice to advocate for marginalized communities affected by violence and health disparities led her to co-found the non-profit organization, MedCEEP. As a Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellow, Symphony implemented a trauma recovery and violence prevention program for adolescents, training hundreds of local students on critical skills to combat community violence.
Twitter: @SymphonyFletch
Instagram: @symply_symph
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/symphony-fletcher-646304179/
Jinger Sanders
Chief Marketing Officer
Jinger Sanders hails from the south side of Chicago, IL, and pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois Springfield. There, she majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry and African American Studies. Jinger later earned a Master's degree in Biomedical Science from Quinnipiac University, which included a study abroad experience in China, where she became proficient in Mandarin. Following her academic pursuits, Jinger taught high school Biology and STEM before pursuing medical school. She is currently in her third year of medical training and is focused on pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine.
In addition to her current roles, Jinger Sanders also holds leadership positions in various medical organizations. She is the Medical Student Council member for the International Medical Graduate division of EMRA, and Head Curriculum Liaison for SNMA's Emergency Medicine Specialty Interest Group, which has a membership of over 500 underrepresented minority students. Jinger is also a member of the SNMA AMEC Conference Planning Committee. Jinger is an active student ambassador for the 2023 AAEM Conference and has been invited to speak at multiple organization events, including The National Leadership Conference for Doctors of America and The UChicago Urban Health Initiative High School Healthcare Conference.
Jinger serves as the Dean of Education for MedCEEP, where she is responsible for designing and executing curricula for the organization's youth pipeline programs. Her contributions have been instrumental in providing engaging and impactful curricula for students across all of MedCEEP's events and programs and she plans to continue to use her voice and career to advocate for health justice, pipeline programs, and promoting health equity.
Twitter: @EmerjinC
Instagram: @Emerjin_C
Dr. Trenika Williams
Senior Grants Officer
Dr. Trenika J. Williams is a Resident Physician in Emergency Medicine at the University of Chicago. She received her M.D. from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. She earned a B.S. in Neuroscience and a B.A. in Psychology and African American African Diaspora Studies from Indiana University and an M.S. in Biological Sciences from Southern Illinois University. As a first-generation college graduate, mentorship is Dr. Williams’ greatest passion. She is a motivational speaker with the Beyond Beautiful Girls Empowerment Movement and released her first co-authored book, Beyond Beautiful Vol 2: A Girls Guide to Studying, Self-Care and Staying Focused During Difficult Times.
Dr. Williams has served on the National Board of Directors of the Student National Medical Association, the nation’s oldest student-run organization focused on supporting and addressing the needs of underrepresented minority communities and students in medicine. She previously worked with the Kings Against Violence Initiative (KAVI), facilitating programming designed to decrease youth violence in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and co-developing a digital educational platform to enhance medical student training in trauma-informed care. She currently serves the research and grant-writing arms of MedCEEP and as a lead of MedCEEP’s TRAP Violence initiative. Dr. Williams is an Albert Schweitzer Fellow For Life, a UChicago Community Champion, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Her professional interests include service, advocacy, the eradication of health disparities disproportionately affecting her community, and enhancing the pipeline of underrepresented minorities into the field of medicine.
Twitter: @melanin_med
Instagram: @melanin.med
Dr. Doreen Agboh
Senior Research Coordinator
Dr. Doreen Agboh is a highly involved and accomplished medical professional with a passion for advocating for the underserved and bridging the gap in medical care for those from underprivileged backgrounds. She earned her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and Behavior from Columbia University in the City of New York, where she was an active member of the student body. As an engaged member of Student Council, an executive board member of The Charles Drew Pre-Medical Society, and the creator of her own performing arts student group, she made an active effort to give back to her community.
During her gap years, she conducted translational laboratory research at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and worked as an ED Medical Scribe, where she fell in love with the fast-paced, ever-evolving field of Emergency Medicine. After beginning medical school at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in 2016, she continued her commitment to service and advocacy as the Class of 2020 Student Council Representative, the Vice President of the Student National Medical Association, the Treasurer of the Emergency Medicine Interest Group, and an Elected-Member of the Rutgers New Jersey School Admission Committee. She also graduated with a distinction in Urban Health and actively gave back to the Newark community through various community service organizations.
Dr. Agboh's professional interests reflect her commitment to serving the underserved and giving back to disadvantaged communities. She is dedicated to exploring ways to bridge the gap in medical care for those from underprivileged backgrounds and advocating for equal access to quality healthcare for all.
Twitter: @DoreenAgbohMD
Instagram: @doreen1104
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreen-agboh-m-d-3a90588a/
Dr. Bernice Fokum
Chief Community Relations Officer
Dr. Bernice Fokum is an accomplished physician and public policy expert with a unique background that blends medicine and advocacy. She completed a dual degree program, attending medical school at Emory University School of Medicine while pursuing a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Prior to her medical studies, Dr. Fokum attended Princeton University, where she studied Anthropology with a certificate in Global Health and Health Policy.
During her time in college, Dr. Fokum was highly engaged in medical Spanish interpretation and advocacy work, including internships with the Illinois Department of Public Health's Center for Minority Health and HIV/AIDS research. Her research on novel treatments for Kaposi sarcoma was published in Blood Journal, and she was selected to present at the International Conference on AIDS & STIs in Africa, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Throughout her academic career, Dr. Fokum has been an active member of various organizations, including the Student National Medical Association, Medical Spanish Interest Group, and Emory Health Against Human Trafficking. With the latter, she pioneered the idea to produce and direct The Vagina Monologues with a cast of her classmates, raising thousands of dollars to benefit domestic and international human trafficking organizations.
Following her third year of medical school, Dr. Fokum took a hiatus to study public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. This experience allowed her to reflect on how she could serve as an agent of change, both on the individual and systemic levels. During her time at the Kennedy School, Dr. Fokum was selected for a fellowship that enabled her to work on the gubernatorial transition team for then-incoming Governor JB Pritzker in her home state of Illinois.
Dr. Fokum's passion for health policy and her desire to serve vulnerable populations led her to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine, a field that allows her to apply her skills in both medicine and advocacy.
Twitter: @BeingDrBernice
Instagram: @being.dr.bernice
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernice-f/
Isaiah Selkridge
Founder of Sports MedCEEP
Senior Research/ Program Coordinator
Isaiah Selkridge is a third-year medical student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He was born and raised in the Bronx, NY, and identifies as an Afro-Caribbean and African American male. Isaiah earned his BA in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015. After that, he worked as a Technical Specialist at Apple Inc. and as a Senior Research Coordinator at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Institute. Isaiah has over 10 peer-reviewed publications and has served as the Co-President of the Student National Medical Association, the nation’s largest organization for Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine.
Isaiah's career interests include Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine, opening his own free clinics, a fashion podcast, and opening his own school. His research interests include addressing and reducing gun violence in underserved communities, mental health in the Black community, and sports medicine. He has also been co-director of HPREP, a program run by medical students catered to high school students interested in healthcare as a career. Currently, he serves as the National Liaison for the SNMA Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group and as co-founder of The Ortho Plug and Sports MedCEEP.
Through his experiences and interests, Isaiah has shown a commitment to promoting equity in healthcare and addressing health disparities in underserved communities. He has also demonstrated leadership and dedication to mentoring and supporting students interested in pursuing careers in medicine.
Instagram: @iselkridge23
Cherie Travis
Senior Media & Marketing Officer
Cherie Travis is a dedicated advocate for jobs, housing, animals, and the environment. As an Illinois native, she has worked tirelessly to address the challenges presented in each of these realms. Cherie has a diverse educational background, including an undergraduate degree in economics, a masters in advertising and marketing from the University of Illinois, and a law degree from DePaul University. She has used her legal expertise to serve as an adjunct law professor at Northwestern University and DePaul University.
Cherie's passion for animal care led her to serve as the executive director of the Commission on Animal Care and Control in Chicago from 2009-12. During this time, she made it her mission to connect animals with loving owners as quickly as possible through various events and partnerships with organizations like the Chicago White Sox baseball club and Chicago Wolves hockey team. Additionally, Cherie spearheaded a program that allowed nonviolent inmates from the Cook County Jail to work early each morning within the facility, which she considers one of her proudest accomplishments.
Cherie's commitment to her community continued as she served as the assistant general counsel for the Cook County Sheriff's Department from 2013-16. She is dedicated to addressing the issue of youth violence in Chicago and advocates for programs that provide young people with positive role models and opportunities to pursue their passions, whether they involve athletics, career development, music or the arts. Cherie believes that by providing structure, expectations, and accountability, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-travis-3b121413/
Rachel Siegel
Chief Grant Administrator
Rachel Siegel is a skilled editor and grant writer with a passion for environmental activism. She recently completed a certificate program in Environmental Law and Policy at Loyola University Chicago, which has added depth to her knowledge and expertise in the field. Rachel has an extensive history of working with nonprofit organizations and has written numerous successful grant applications on behalf of domestic violence shelters. Her accomplishments include, securing a Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women Grant to Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Against Children and Youth Programs. The three-year, $500,000 grant helped bring domestic violence education and prevention programming to the Chittenden County, Vermont public schools. She also serves as the communications committee chair for a nonprofit organization that helps young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities find employment.
Rachel's focus on activism and her background in grant writing have allowed her to work towards her passion while making a difference. Rachel has an eye for detail and is committed to understanding the needs and goals of organizations to create tailored grant applications that are successful in securing funding. She believes in the importance of helping nonprofit organizations achieve their missions, and she uses her expertise to guide and support organizations in this endeavor.
Her track record shows a commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of the vulnerable and underserved.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-schick-siegel-1331a070/
Jurema Gorham
Chief Financial Officer
Jurema N. Gorham is a driven and passionate non-profit impact strategist, dedicated to promoting literacy and education in Chicago, IL. Her experience and education have led her to found Burst Into Books, a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower young people to embrace a love for reading and expand their literacy skills. Jurema has developed and implemented innovative literacy programs for children and teens, partnering with schools and community organizations to provide free access to books and hosting engaging literary events and workshops. Jurema's work with Burst Into Books has impacted the lives of many young people, providing them with the tools and resources needed to succeed in their educational journey.
Aside from her non-profit work, Jurema is also a certified teacher and experienced literacy coach. Her expertise in the field has earned her recognition, including the Harris School of Public Policy's Civic Leadership Fellow award and the Humanitarian Award from the Far South Community Action Council for her dedication to community outreach. Currently, Jurema is pursuing a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Concordia University Chicago, furthering her commitment to educating and serving her community.
Through her extensive experience and education, Jurema is well-equipped to pour into the communities she serves and make a lasting impact on the lives of many.
Twitter: @BurstIntoBooks
Instagram: @juremagorham
Team Members SPOTLIGHT
symphony fletcher
The recent shooting deaths of two teenage boys outside Benito Juarez High School shook the community. These students’ deaths, and the injury of two others, is yet another example of the disproportionate impact gun violence has on Black and Brown communities.
Our very own Co-founder of MedCEEP, Symphony Fletcher, delves into the importance of training our youth to respond to life-threatening emergencies and why the work she started within our organization is so important for the survival of our communities!
Symphony Fletcher is an EM Bound third year medical student at the Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago. Her passion is to use her voice to advocate for marginalized communities most affected by violence and health disparity. She is also a founding board member of MedCEEP.
Published Dec 29, 2022 • The Chicago Sun Times
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Dr Bernice Fokum
After the shocking and emotional accident on the field that sent Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin into cardiac arrest on Jan. 2, we have recently learned that he is making a remarkable recovery, but his story could have easily been one of tragedy.
Dr. Bernice Fokum touches on the fact that this type of incredible improvement is even more than a heartwarming story — it is a timely reminder that bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is the No. 1 way to truly give any person a chance at meaningful recovery after one has experienced cardiac arrest.
Dr. Bernice Fokum is an emergency medicine physician in Chicago whose focus includes health policy, equity, and prehospital medicine. She is also a founding board member of MedCEEP.
Published Jan 10, 2023 • The Chicago Tribune
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