Who We Are

Our Culture

joi moore, md

MHA Founder

JENSINE' NORMAN, md

MHA FOUNDER

Dr. Joi Moore and Dr. Jensine' Norman met during resident orientation during intern year. They were both transplants from Detroit, MI and Nashville, TN respectively who quickly realized that connecting into the Cincinnati community would be a challenge. On campus, minority residents and fellows were dispersed in their separate departments functioning in silos. There was no sense of community, no support, and no one knew each other. Joi and Jensine' decided to not settle for the “status quo” and to create an organization that soon developed into the Minority Housestaff Association (MHA). MHA was formed out of necessity to create a sense of community between the underrepresented minority residents across specialties as well as the faculty and medical students. The original mission was to create opportunities for the advancement of under-represented housestaff through mentorship, networking, professional development, and community engagement while promoting an environment of diversity and inclusion across the UC Health System. MHA has not only maintained the original mission, but they have also created a sense of family which has eased the matriculation through residency for the residents involved in the organization. The organization now has several supporters throughout the medical center including UC Office of Diversity and Inclusion, graduate medical education office, and UC health administration. Between these organizations, MHA has dedicated faculty, administration, and staff who continue to support MHA.

Executive Board

Desiree DiBella

Triple Board (Pediatrics/Adult Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent Psychiatry), PGY3

(PRESIDENT)

Hometown: Munford, TN



Reason for joining MHA

I am passionate about bringing residents of color together and supporting one another in our journeys through medicine as well as helping to foster and recruit the next generation of URM resident physicians.

Favorite part of Cincinnati

The Loveland Bike Trail.

Stephanie Thomas, Medicine/Pediatrics, PGY2

(co-Secretary)

Hometown: Concord, CA

Reason for joining MHA

I saw the fantastic work that MHA was doing at the resident and fellow level when I was a medical student at the University of Cincinnati. I wanted to be a part of that work and help create a welcoming, inclusive environment for my peers. I also wanted to help with recruiting and supporting residents that look like the patient population we serve here in Cincinnati.

Favorite part of Cincinnati

The food, parks, and art won me over. One of my favorite things to do is to grab take out from one of the amazing restaurants in the city and hang out in one of the parks with a performing stage. There is often a jazz group or an indie artist playing in the park for the perfect outdoor dinner vibe. Best combo so far has been tacos from Pata Roja while sitting at The Porch in Washington Park, listening to jazz music.

Kylie Mena, Pediatrics, PGY2

(co-Secretary)

Hometown: Barrington, IL

Reason for joining MHA

I think that patients deserve to have diversity and representation in their healthcare providers. I am passionate about creating more diversity in our resident population to provide better care for all of our patients!

Favorite part of Cincinnati

Cincy has all the best parts of a big city with all the accessibility! My favorite thing to do is eat my way through the city with my S.O. and residency friends!

Chineze Ebo, pediatrics, pgy3

(Publicity chair)

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Reason for joining MHA

I joined MHA with the hopes of finding support both inside and outside of residency. Joining MHA has been one of the highlights of my time in Cincinnati. It's been so amazing to come together with other residents, fellows, and attendings and have community and fellowship. I feel like I have a second family through the support system that MHA has created for minority housestaff.

Favorite part of Cincinnati

I love exploring the food and art scene in Cincinnati! They have such a diverse spread of cuisines, and new resaurants are always opening. Likewise, the art scene is cool with awesome museums, festivals, concerts, and comedy and broadway shows. There's always something going on, whether it's a play in the park, or a new mural being painted. There's something here for everyone.

Dekoiya Burton, Medicine/Pediatrics, PGY1

(co-Publicity chair)

Hometown: Houston, TX

Reason for joining MHA

Community and the advancement of health equity.

Favorite part of Cincinnati

The people and location to major cities.

LaToya Smith, Family Medicine, PGY3

(Community Service LIASON)

Hometown: Belleville, IL

Reason for joining MHA

To meet amazing people that are supportive, have fun, and engage with the Cincinnati community in a meaningful way.

Favorite part of Cincinnati

Mt Airy Forest

Joan Marc, internal Medicine, PGY1

(Community Service LIASON)

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Reason for joining MHA

There are unique challenges to going through medical training as a member of a minoritized group, and I wanted to have the support and camaraderie of people that understand those challenges. I also wanted to connect to communities of color in Cincinnati.

Favorite part of Cincinnati

All the green spaces! I still have to explore them, but Burnet Woods, Ault Park and Eden Park are on the list.

Crystal Dupont, OBGYN, PGY2

(Community Service co-chair)

Hometown: Deland, FL

Reason for joining MHA

When I interviewed for residency the MHA was the first interaction that made me feel like I could call Cincinnati home. The friendships I have made are priceless. The ability to also serve as a network of support and inter-professional resource for minorities in medicine is amazing. This association also gives me the opportunity to continue to work on topics that affect not only our minority health care providers, but also the community that we serve. MHA is unique, definitely needed, and I just had to join!

Favorite part of Cincinnati

I love the parks and artwork throughout Cincinnati. There is really always something to do or see. I really enjoy a walk through Eden Park where there is a beautiful view of the river and the city.

Derek Kwayke, Internal Medicine, PGY2

(SNMA/LMSA Liaison)

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Reason for joining MHA

I love the community that MHA offers and how it connects everyone within different residency programs. The main reason I joined the eboard was my passion for mentoring and my drive to not only aid with diversity within our residency program, but improving our medical students' experiences.

Favorite part of Cincinnati

The many different parks!

Diane Fru, OBGYN, PGY2

(SNMA Liaison)

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Reason for joining MHA

II wanted to be more involved with activities outside of work, especially working more with medical students and helping pave the way for someone else in medicine. As a medical student, I remember wishing I had received guidance from residents, especially those that are URM. I wanted to be more involved with the community here in Cincinnati as well just get to know other URM residents! It has been an amazing experience so far!

Favorite part of Cincinnati

I love how diverse Cincy is in almost everything: the food, the people, the activities. There’s always something to do from singing karaoke to multiple hiking locations near the city, it has been an exciting ride so far.

Rhea Eubanks, OBGYN, PGY2

(co-LMSA Liaison)

Hometown: Reynoldsburg, OH

Reason for joining MHA

To help better connect the underrepresented medical student community with the underrepresented resident community.

Favorite part of Cincinnati

Over-The-Rhine!

Faculty Advisors

LISA JOHNSON

MD

Working with the minority house staff association is a dream come true for me. I see the Minority House Association as a direct extension of the recruitment and retention efforts made the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine to increase the diversity of the physician workforce. Medical students, residents and faculty from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds teach themselves and others about the cultures, beliefs and values of their communities. I believe that diversity among medical residents improves the breadth of patient discussion during clinical care ,is a fundamental educational benefit for all parts of the interdisciplinary team and is an important link in providing culturally competent care. I am proud that I have the opportunity to support and advise the next generation of diverse physicians.

Ndidi Unaka

MD, MEd

The Minority Housestaff Association is a community of residents and faculty that allows for the development of lifelong mentorship relationships. The opportunity to build strong mentorship relationships with our residents is one of the best parts of my job and truly a gift. I am passionate about mentorship for residents traditionally underrepresented in medicine because I recognize the positive impact my personal mentors continue to have on my professional development. I want residents to know that they have a cheerleader in their corner who can understand what they are going through, and provide the support they need to navigate challenging circumstances. Most importantly, I love working with our residents because they will be change agents in medicine, which will benefit our patients, families and future trainees.