Ambika Akhoury, MD

Hello! I'm Ambika Akhoury, and I'm thrilled to be joining the Global Pediatrics Internship Program! I'm a recent medical graduate from the Philippines and I've done my internship in a safety net hospital in India. My passion for pediatrics was ignited through clinical experiences across multiple countries, where I witnessed firsthand the universal joy of seeing children heal and thrive.

What draws me most to global pediatrics is the opportunity to serve children from all walks of life, especially those in underserved communities. Having trained in resource-limited settings, I understand the unique challenges and rewards of providing care where it's needed most. 

I'm passionate about genetics and Heme/onc. Outside of medicine, I also enjoy reading and writing which helps me maintain a creative balance. I like spending time on the water and travelling. I'm particularly excited about the chance to blend my clinical interests with meaningful global health work through this program.

Looking forward to learning alongside all of you!

Adaobi Izuora, MD

My name is Dr. Adaobi Izuora, an international medical graduate from Nigeria, where I earned my MBBS degree from the University of Nigeria. Training and practicing in Nigeria exposed me to the realities of child health in resource-limited settings, where preventable diseases and restricted access to care remain significant challenges. These experiences fueled my passion for pediatrics and strengthened my commitment to improving outcomes for children in underserved communities. 

I value compassionate, patient-centered, and culturally sensitive care, recognizing its power to bridge gaps and build trust with families. As I continue my journey in global pediatrics, I look forward to learning, collaborating, and contributing to efforts that advance equity and promote healthier futures for children worldwide.

Godbless Philipo, MD

My name is Godbless Philipo, born and raised from Tanzania, East Africa. I went to medical school at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

Prior to joining the University of Minnesota- Pediatric residency program, I was working in the pediatrics department at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC). My time at ALMC showed me how the health of the children can be affected drastically by the social determinant of health and the quality of medical care provided. However, while it may be challenging to fix the social determinant of health, I believe we can do something to improve the quality of care given to children in health facilities that have minimal available resources. One way of doing that is through global health and research, hence my interest to join the Global Health Pediatric Track here at the University of Minnesota.

Oluwadamilare Gabriel, MD

My name is Oluwadamilare (Dammy) Gabriel. I obtained my medical degree from Igbinedion University Okada. I completed my internship at the Lagos State Health Commission and subsequently relocated to the United States, where I pursued medical preparatory coursework at Kaplan Test Prep in Pasadena, California.

I am deeply committed to advancing the welfare of children and adolescents. I participated as a parent advisory advocate in the San Juan school district, advocating for educational equality and quality within the underserved community of Sacramento, California.

I am passionate about adolescents, engaging with the teens and young adults of the community, helping them develop good morals as I believe that a good community starts with equipping children and adolescents with the right mindset and resources.

My people-centric nature and inherent compassion have endowed me with unparalleled interpersonal skills. I derive great satisfaction from conducting leadership seminars and training future generations of leaders, imparting my vast knowledge and experience to aspiring leaders.

I loves to spend time with family and watch movies.

Karen Awura-Adjoa Ronke Coker, MD

My name is Dr. Karen Awura-Adjoa Ronke Coker. I received my PhD in Public Health with a track in One Health from the Department of Environmental and Global Health at the University of Florida.  I was a TL1-Predoctoral fellow through the University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute via a NIH-NCATS-funded team science grant for two years. 

As a TL1 Fellow, my research was with Black Women in assessing their concepts of trust and mental health during reproductive healthcare interactions in Alachua County, Florida.  I was also a Fulbright Hays DDRA Fellow and a two- time recipient of a Title VI Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowship, studying Wolof, one of the native languages spoken in Senegal, for two years.  I specifically worked in the Kaffrine Region of Senegal, utilizing mixed methods and Wolof to explore climate change and mental health perceptions and outcomes among agricultural and livestock-dependent communities.  

I am deeply passionate about linguistic and cultural knowledge and brings a multidisciplinary research background. I'm self-motivated, intentional and purpose driven about health equity, community, and mentorship. In my spare time, I like to go on walks, travel, watch films and sports, spend time with family, cook, and rest. 

I am very happy be part of the Department of Pediatrics under the mentorship of Dr. Sam-Agudu.