Erie County Public Health Fellow Program

Aaron works on animated reels for social media and conducts research for future newsletter topics. He also works on expanding the reach of the Health Equity newsletters in non-English speaking communities.  Aaron has a background in philosophy, politics, and law.

Ejura is works with the Quality Improvement (QI) department of Jericho Road where she performs phone and text outreach aimed at improving breast and colorectal cancer screening rates for at-risk patients.  She is helping to improve population health outcomes for the unique population served at Jericho Road.  Ejura has advanced degrees in public health, environmental health, and social work, and over 10 years of experience in health related research and program management.

Fatema was born in Comilla, Bangladesh and came to America in 2009.  She majored in majored in Criminal Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in NY City.  Fatema is working as a Public Health Specialist for Feed Buffalo.

As a perinatal wellness and movement specialist, Symphonie crafts serene spaces that nurture the mind, body, and spirit for women on their journey into motherhood.  Armed with expertise in yoga and meditation, she is on a mission to transform lives through holistic health and wellness. 

Tom is a data analyst working on survey analysis and presentation projects.  His civics discussions have been featured in the D’Youville University Conversations Speaker Series. 

Brian is working to foster connections between local community organizations to enhance equitable access to health services.  He also addressed vaccine hesitancy and gathered information regarding vaccines among residents.  

Reem is spearheading partnership development and outreach opportunities. She also works on grants creates enrichment opportunities for domestic violence survivors.  Reem's experience is in global and local non-profit work.

Joshua is addressing generational poverty in southwestern New York. He is designing and distributing a community health survey, analyzing data and organizing community events, all with a goal of improving the lives of rural WNY residents.

Annabella is a Public Health Specialist working as the Outreach Coordinator at Project Mona's House. Annabella is passionate about creating innovative pathways and developing new, culturally competent, and industry-specific resources to introduce more people to the fight against human trafficking. 

Jackie works closely with the Perinatal and Infant Community Health Collaborative team by providing outreach & education across Chautauqua Co. and southern Erie Co. She is passionate about improving the health of her community and supporting and connecting families to services that improve health outcomes for mothers, families & young children.

Mareshah assists Erie County Cancer Services Program (CSP) participants and healthcare providers to access financial resources for services.  CSP offers  breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening for uninsured and underinsured individuals. The program is increasing outreach in the African American communities as the death rates are higher in that population. 

Peyton works with UBMD Pediatrics and the WNY Children’s Environmental Health Center on programs that address public health issues within the pediatric population such as lead poisoning, mold, pests, and winter preparedness.  She also works with University at Buffalo pediatric residents to address additional pediatric health needs within the community. She is a MPH graduate of the University at Buffalo with a focus in health services administration. 

Angelica works with employees to address barriers outside of work and has experience working with in the fields of mental health, homelessness, and human trafficking.  She has a Master of Arts in Psychology from Medaille College and a Bachelors in Sociology.

Nicole builds community partnerships, creates curriculum, and leads programming in support of the Therapeutic Gardening Initiative. In addition to this work, she is a PhD student at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work, an activist, and freelance writer. 

Kartika is working on communications and marketing, fundraising, advocacy, and is a board member for Voice Buffalo.  She has her Bachelors in Sociology and Marketing from Niagara University and is working on a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on social theory, policy, and communal impact. 

Nathan specializes in data analysis and visualization of opioid mortality trends in Erie County. He assists in developing harm reduction educational material and presentations that are clear and informative. Nathan has a MPH in Epidemiology from the University at Buffalo.

Sophia promotes equal access to health and wellness resources and collaborates with staff to develop programs that address social determinants of health and health disparities. She performs research, analyzes data, and delivers presentations to staff on public health topics.  Sophia has a background in human services and clinical social work and is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Health at the University of Buffalo. 

Sanjida is working on increasing newsletter subscriptions in the Bengali and Islamic communities.  She is also involved in crafting social media content for the newsletters. Sanjida has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications. 

Jennifer hosts public health events to serve the community. These have included events for smoking cessation, a blood drive, and a public help event with 15 other organizations at Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium. Her goal is to create awareness about health issues in the Buffalo area.

Lutfia is working to prevent unintentional poisoning and increase awareness of the Center.  She is involved in project planning and development.  Luftia is pursuing an MPH with an Environmental Health concentration at the University at Buffalo.

Sarah focuses on improving cross-sector collaboration through systems integration for Strong Starts Chautauqua. She is a community organizer who works with 211 WNY to create an up-to-date service directory for social care organizations.

Cassandra works with Ovarian Cancer Project on endometrial and ovarian cancer education and research.  She created a survey to analyze endometrial cancer patient's needs from which she create solutions to better serve these patients.  She also provides research, support, and outreach for the project which she believes is vital for positive health outcomes in the midst of disease.  Cassandra has her Masters in Public Health from the University at Buffalo. 

Collin assists in supplying school supplies and scholarship opportunities to immigrant and under privileged children to ensure academic success.  He also works on grant proposals, community engagement, and event planning.  Collin received his MPH from the University at Buffalo. 

Victoire is responsible for coordinating children’s immunizations by scheduling appointments with parents to ensure that all required vaccines are administered without complications. He also facilitates the distribution of colorectal cancer screening kits to patients. 

Anne works in data entry and notification of close contacts of TB cases.  Her experience is in humanitarian response projects and border health readiness. 

Otis has 10 years of professional experience in graphic design and content creation and placement.  He has been instrumental in devising and implementing innovative social media strategies for the program.  His work focuses on mentoring and empowering young girls to discover and harness their inner strength, akin to becoming their own superheroes.  Otis's expertise and vision play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of Confident Girl Mentoring Program.

Marcus teaches Afro-Futurism by using comics and history.  He also helps Buffalo school students with reading comprehension, and works to address health disparities in the African American community. 

Danielle is responsible for providing support in the 7 counties of WNY.  Her experience is in healthcare and public health for under-served communities.   

Jackie developed a comprehensive survey designed to address the existing gaps in connecting Crisis Services with primary care facilities and patients.   She is pursuing a MPH with a specialized focus on Health Equity.

Nada works on career services and webinars for the University at Buffalo (UB) School of Public Health and Health Professionals, and provides career support and professional development opportunities for students and alumni. Nada is also responsible for the UB podcast Buffalo HealthCast which examines topics through a health equity lens.  Nada is earning an MPH degree with a concentration in Health Services Administration.

Karolyn is currently working with the Erie County Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.  She previously worked with Back to Basics, Peace Makers, and the Stop the Violence Coalition.  Karolyn's combined experiences in criminal justice and public health make her an asset in creating safer and healthier communities, and she has a strong commitment to serving the community and supporting youth.

Nicole designs pilot programs in the healthcare sector. She has experience in healthcare operations and medical device sales. She is certified in Six Sigma Healthcare, Change Management among other leadership and sales certifications.

Allea works to design and implement programs that help bridge the gap between the scientific and inner-city communities of East Buffalo.  These programs address social determinants of health, health inequity, the importance of genetic research, and they empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and wellness.

Rita founded Fillmore Forward, a non-profit focused on revitalizing business districts in Buffalo. She has extensive experience in public health education and participated in the M&T Bank Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneur Program. She has a background in nursing & telecommunications.

David supports project development and implementation for Community Wellness, where he crafts and executes public presentations and conducts data analysis, emphasizing communication and public health education. He is an economist with experience in public, private, and academic sectors and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Epidemiology where his research is centered on environmental exposures to toxic mixtures. 

Troi works on adolescent health projects for Rethink WNY & Confident Girl Mentoring Program, Inc (CGMP). He collaborates with international organizations to bridge and combine strategies and initiatives that support the health and well being of adolescents. At CGMP, Troj also works on menstrual health equity in marginalized communities and with the Confident Minds “Kids Take 5” literacy initiative.

Najlah assists with food distribution, shopping, inventory, and events.  She has a bachelors in communication and psychology and is working on her MPH at Daemen University.   

Terrell works to bring pubic health awareness to Back to Basic Ministries and MAD DADS.  He also works with Buffalo public high school students by engaging them in health education and community involvement.  Additionally, Terrell is a mentor at the HEAT Program (Health, Empowerment, Attitude, and Teamwork) under the Pastor Giles and educates the community on issues such as poverty and its connection to mental health.

Enjoli provides research and advocacy support to local groups and organizations that are building community power and taking action to advance policy and systems change on social determinants of health.  Enjoli is a doctoral student in urban studies and planning at MIT.

Taylor works in marketing and outreach where she develops materials and messaging for healthcare professionals and media to raise awareness of Quitline initiatives. She is also working on linking Quitline services with community-based organizations to provide marginalized populations with better access to free support for quitting tobacco and vape products. Taylor is currently pursuing her MPH with a concentration in community health and health behavior at the University at Buffalo.

Aniqua is involved in community outreach and patient engagement.  She has a MPH and a background in community outreach and health education. 

Sarah works to fight human trafficking in WNY by developing funding and partnerships with stakeholders in the community. She also oversees the outreach training program at Project Mona that trains the community in spotting and stopping trafficking. She has been in this field for over 10 years overseeing restoration programs caring for more than 500 child sex-trafficking victims in Southeast Asia. 

Leah promotes lead poisoning prevention and healthy homes through  community outreach events, interviews, and web and print media.  She has a degree in graphic design and communications. 

Mohammed works on data collection focused on health disparities among minority groups. This data is used to enhance community health awareness and disease prevention efforts aimed at reducing health inequalities and promoting accessible health services for all. 

Mary Beth is working on training paramedics to become certified in community paramedicine. She is also helping to address gaps and implement solutions to improve emergency preparedness plans. Mary Beth has over 35 years of paramedic experience. 

Olivia is working on patient engagement, community outreach, and other clinic operations.  She has an MPH and a background in program management and development.

Ashraf is focused on health education in religious and immigrant communities and crafts strategies for religious leaders to communicate health messages.  He also holds workshops addressing vaccine hesitancy and chronic disease management and is involved in training, mentoring, outreach, and data analysis to improve patient care. 

Katie is planning outreach events, creating resources, and developing an occupational therapy department aimed for children with limited access to dental care and/or with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Andrew works to create safe and supportive environments for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. He assists in providing information and access to local resources. Andrew has a bachelor's in psychology with a minor in communication.

Sarah works on developing a new community centered service learning program aimed at helping students become more community minded physicians.  She conducts outreach to create partnerships, develops program materials, and handles daily logistics. 

Melissa works on developing educational resources and presentations focused on cannabis. She promotes awareness and informed decision making enabling consumers to prioritize their health and well-being. 

Hex is working to promote digital literacy with a focus on health-related resources and to promote access to more technology resources throughout our communities.  He has a Ph.D. in Anthropology and worked at SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo State, Medaille, NCCC, The Park School of Buffalo, and Catholic Charities.  He has written several textbooks at both the college and K-12 levels. 

As an administrative program aid, Talia assesses the engagement of mentors and youth, and documents the outcomes of that engagement. 

Schuyler is analyzing survey and focus group data from diverse populations throughout Erie County, and assists in generating detailed reports on the findings.  He uses the social determinants of health framework to identify the root causes of health disparities.  Schuyler is a currently s PhD student.

Shairi supports postpartum mothers by visiting with them, bringing donations, or being a sounding board for when they just need to chat.

Julie works on gun violence prevention and fosters partnerships between inner-city youth and medical students. She is helping to create a toolkit for medical professionals outlining their roles in the State's red flag laws and will be presenting on Extreme Risk Protection Order in NY State Youth. 

Laurie is involved with several RETHINK WNY programs, including website design, air quality improvement projects, the Western New York Public Health Innovation Technology Campus project and the ZIM Project UB-UZ HIV Research Training Program.

Emma is developing a presentation on collaborative care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and outreach for an upcoming conference.  She has a bachelor's degree in Health and Human Services with a concentration in Community Mental Health. 

Whakim serves as the Media & Marketing Director.  His innate and distinct ability to tell visual stories helps expose the dark reality of human trafficking in WNY.  He brings to light the real life stories behind this public health crisis. 

As a marketing specialist, Yulia develops and implements marketing strategies and materials that support 211 WNY's initiatives with community-based organizations, healthcare, and government sectors.  She graduated from the University of Buffalo with a BA in Psychology and a dual minor in Health and Human Services and Counseling.  Yulia has more than 10 years of experience in hospitality and design marketing. 

Shelby works on dental outreach at local Head Start programs.  She is also educating dental students about specific populations and how to reduce silos within healthcare. Shelby plans to become a medical provider for sex workers and the HIV positive population.

Samantha investigates and monitors reports of communicable diseases, and follows up with cases to ensure there is no risk to the community. She assists with data analysis, examines trends and investigates outbreaks.

Annamarie is working on a communications plan and strategy for the WNYPHA.  She is updating their website and social media accounts to help bring new advancements and link counties with the Alliance. 

Jenna works closely with D’Youville University Center for Doctoral Studies and Research and the Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo. She has assisted in the development of the Go Buffalo Mom Program Report including data analysis. Jenna is also a member of the School Health and Wellness Collaborative and ANCHOR (Addressing Needs for Community Health, Opportunity, and Resilience).

Colette has a background in environmental planning and education. She is working with the Food Policy Council to address disparities in access to healthy and reliable food options for the people of Buffalo and Erie County. She is doing policy research, community outreach, and facilitating connections between communities to support a more local, sustainable, and food-secure region. 

Brittany works on safe sleep initiatives for hospitals and community based organizations at the Regional Perinatal Outreach Center at Oishei Children's Hospital.  She has an MPH from Texas Tech University. 

Luke works on healthcare navigation, marketing, and connecting the community to Roswell Park. His commitment to helping under-served communities has been a driving force throughout his career.  

Jeanette is working with the Buffalo Fatherhood Initiative to help fathers explore topics such as fatherhood, co-parenting, and mentoring.  She previously worked with Confident Girl Mentoring Program.

Monica works to secure funding that enables the Center to effectively address the multifaceted needs of the community, and to support its transition into a Climate Resilience Center.  She is ensuring the center is well-equipped to meet the community's needs during times of extreme weather events and temperature fluctuations. 

Robert provides data management & spreadsheet support for temporary placement of individuals and families lacking stable housing.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Studies from Buffalo State and is working on an EKG Technician certification at Bryant & Stratton.

Anna works with Literacy Buffalo Niagara to help improve health literacy rates in adults who struggle with low literacy, reading, writing, and English-speaking skills.  Anna shares the agency’s dedication to helping adults reach functional literacy so they can reach their goals and break the inter-generational cycle of low literacy and poverty.  Anna strongly believes that health literacy provides a bridge to improving all areas of public health.

Regine works on advocacy, research, and policy development regarding language access.  She also studies language resources and their impact on refugee communities. Regine is a licensed social worker with experience in supporting mental health patients, domestic violence survivors, refugees, and immigrants.

Fatima is developing a service-learning program to facilitate a better relationship between the medical community and disinvested communities in Buffalo. She connects medical students with community-based organizations who educate the students on how social, economic and racial disparities affect overall health. Fatima has a Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health from NYU.

Oboseoye is responsible for developing and implementing outreach strategies, educational programs, and intervention plans to increase access to fresh, locally, and organically grown produce. 

Victor works on presentations regarding safe injection for those dealing with substance use disorder.  He is also involved in data analysis.  Victor has a MPH. 

Rakshya is focusing on dental hygiene and promoting oral health awareness for 2nd graders.  She is also working on heart disease prevention by educating and inspiring individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, contributing to their overall well-being. 

Elisabeth assists with trauma informed psychotherapy, program development, and patient navigation and advocacy.  Her background is in social work and disease state management, focusing on the mental, emotional and spiritual impacts of chronic illness on individuals and communities.

Lana is developing and implementing sustainable preventive health outreach for Jericho Road patients at risk of developing cancer or debilitating conditions.  She is focusing on preventive screening, finding cancer early, improving quality of life, and communication with providers.  Lana has over 20 years of experience as a nurse and nurse practitioner and is a PhD candidate in nursing. 

Bethany is the program director and has established the organization’s 501C3 status, organized painting and yoga events, and a backpack and coat drive.  She is currently building the organization’s community fridge. 

As the Executive Administrator, Temeaka fosters a learning environment that inspires, empowers, and cultivates strong and confident girls. Her career began in the field of education where she shaped young minds and contributed to the academic growth of students.

Tatyana assists individuals with getting mental health evaluations, healthcare, and employment and encourages them to improve their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.  She presents these improvements and efforts in court with the hope of finding better solutions for their current situation. 

Sefati is addressing gun violence in the East Side of Buffalo by designing a project called 4 the Future of Buffalo which addresses many factors in gun violence. She is also utilizing medical students as mentor for Buffalo Public School students. 

Syed works on data and project management at Rethink WNY & Frontier Science. He is focused on the vaccine hesitancy study and COVID-19 Impact on FQHCs. He is also working with Frontier Science web developers to build a website for Rethink WNY. Syed is earning an MPH degree with a concentration in epidemiology.

Megan is a program designer, focused on making 211 WNY more sustainable. She analyzes service gaps and develops pilot programs to fill those gaps. She reaches out to potential partners, generates ideas and creates connections.

Mariyam works with the Starting Line Healthy Births Coalition where she develops and coordinates public health education and messaging to promote exclusive chest/breastfeeding and safe sleep for low income families during prenatal care.  She is also developing an emergency preparedness action plan in the event of any future public health disasters.  

Noha works as a data scientist and researcher studying neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Her focus is on investigating and analyzing racial disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. She is also working on projects with the goal of diversifying psychiatric genetics research, particularly from individuals of African descent.

Erika is focusing on increasing the volunteer network to ensure older adults have reliable and affordable transportation to medical, wellness, and social appointments. She is also utilizing social media and outreach events to reposition the organization to reach future generations of volunteers. 

Diana is addressing generational poverty by collecting health data and connecting it to chronic health disparities and ensuring that policy decisions are made based on data. She is also creating a booklet of visualizations, infographics and posters, and is assisting in planning the ROC Rural Care and Development HUB.  Diana is working on her MPH University at Buffalo. 

Janie is working youth through mentoring and violence interrupting.  She strives to prevent the escalation of violence among our young individuals. 

Annika works to address economic and health disparities in the region.  She focuses on community outreach, data, and materials to help women go into health professions and advance marginalized populations to create an environment for women to thrive.

Dana is working on several global engagement and education initiatives including the Stop Diabetes Progression project and the Physiologic Insulin Resensitization project in partnership with UB’s Global Leadership Program. One goal of these projects is to collaborate on public health initiatives with other countries including Zimbabwe and Jamaica.

Tiffany helps organize client applications and pickups, and assists with outreach efforts to bridge the gap for families in need of baby supplies.  She also measures deliverables with an expectancy of widening the impact and reach the program.  

Kailyn assists with the distribution of harm reduction supplies to help mitigate risks related to substance use. She has a MPH from Daemen University with a focus in epidemiology. 

Catherine has more than 20 years of experience in community outreach, cancer education, communication and research, public health education and administration, and healthcare management. She is designing Pilot Projects to build sustainable programs and services for 211 WNY so they can continue to address Social Determinants of Health, and to inform methods that will work for sustainability and program growth.

El works with several programs and organizations to place Public Health Fellows thereby bolstering the organization’s staff.   

Nabiha links immigrant/refugee populations experiencing domestic violence to resources that benefit their mental and physical health.  She also helps with outreach events, donations, coordinating ESL transportation.   

Liz is working on finalizing results of a rural health assessment survey to share with stakeholders.  She helped develop a draft model to enhance rural delivery of health-related services throughout the Rural Outreach Center’s (ROC) 5 county service area. Liz also works on regulatory compliance and grant applications. Previously Liz worked with the ECDOH on a medical practice outreach project and the Community Health Assessment. 

Deja inspires and empowers diverse individuals through impactful original artwork, workshops, exhibitions, and engaging discussions. She received her BFA in Integrated Arts and Contemporary Social Issues from Villa Maria College.

Kevin works with Air Quality Demonstration Projects, which led to the collaboration of regional businesses and health care facilities of WNY. He continues to work closely with You First Services, Inc., conducting academic literature research, curating evidence-based reports about the importance of air quality, and assisting with grant efforts. Kevin graduated with a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from the University at Buffalo in 2023.

Teleah designs and facilitates programs and events that support mental health within Buffalo's inner city.  She works with community leaders, residents, businesses and public figures to bring attention to mental health. Teleah is the founder and Executive Producer of Saturday Night Buffalo Media Company. 

Zachary works with prenatal data focused on babies born at Oishei and transferred to the NICU, and those transferred to the NICU from other hospitals.  He is working toward a Bachelor’s in Public Health. 

Parker works to educate the community on the severity of the opioid epidemic by developing website and program content.  He is also creating educational materials to inform the public about safety measures for the upcoming eclipse in April 2024.  Parker has his Masters in Urban Planning, specializing in food systems and community health.

Sheena coordinates and manages projects, data analysis and reporting, daily management of the program's life cycle, meeting organizational goals, and other duties. She works with organizations focused on serving under-served communities by bridging the gap through restoring resources and equity.

Yi is assembling the Erie County Opiate Epidemic Task Force annual report which will be utilized to inform the public about the work being done to improve the public’s health.  He also presented opioid and substance use data from the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office and Erie County Law Enforcement partners at the NY State Public Health Corps 2023 Annual Summit. Yi has and MPH from University at Buffalo.

Helen organizes staff transportation and routes for ESL and parenting classes. She has successfully planned and carried out educational programs for clients, such as COVID prevention, breast cancer awareness and mental health awareness. She also took part in outreach initiatives designed to raise community awareness of domestic violence.

Sifat oversees all aspects of accounting and finance.  He also creates public health events and helps get donations from companies such as Wegmans, Buffalo Bills, Independent Health, and others.