Ambrose Ngo is a fourth-year medical student at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UCLA and a Master of Science in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine from USC. Since beginning medical school, he has engaged in activities that positively impact his community. Ambrose is committed to leveraging insights from conferences and research to develop the skills necessary to become a well-rounded and competent physician. After medical school, he aspires to specialize in orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Serfin is an acute care surgeon. She has served as the Designated Institutional Official for Samaritan Health Services and as the General Surgery Residency program director for three years. She completed medical school at St George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. She then completed a General Surgery residency at the University at Buffalo, followed by a Surgical Critical Care fellowship at Indiana University. 

She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, vice chair of the SCCM Graduate and Resident Education Committee, and serves as the chair of the APDS recruitment task force. She has received the best teaching faculty awards twice. She has published numerous papers on program signaling and its impact on interview invitations. She has also spoken at the AAMC, APDS, and NRMP national conferences on program signals, resident recruitment innovations, and changes to application platforms. Current research interests include the impact of program signals on resident recruitment, the transition from undergraduate to graduate medical education, as well as outcomes research in trauma care. 

Dr. Charles Orth is a seasoned general orthopedic surgeon with over 32 years of clinical experience, currently practicing at Orthopedic Surgeon Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. He has served as the Program Director at KCU/HCA Research Medical Center for the past 13 years, where he is deeply committed to medical education and residency training. A recognized leader in his field, Dr. Orth is also the President-Elect of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. His dedication to mentorship, education, and the advancement of orthopedic surgery continues to shape the next generation of physicians.

Dr. Rogers is an exercise physiologist that researches molecular mechanisms that are involved in the beneficial adaptations to exercise training. His work has a special emphasis on type 2 diabetes and insulin signaling including the influence of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules on the insulin signaling network. Recently, his work has expanded to investigate the influence of exercise on stress and inflammation, specifically on salivary biomarkers of stress in type 2 diabetics.

Carolyn Duong is a fourth-year medical student originally from Toronto, Canada, with a robust academic and clinical background in dermatology and allergy as a previous clinical research coordinator. Deeply committed to mentorship, Carolyn attributes much of her growth to the guidance of mentors who believed in her potential, and she is eager to pay it forward. Carolyn is especially passionate about dermatology, promoting LGBTQ+ health equity, and creating opportunities for underrepresented and underserved populations, including youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Yasmeen Sawalha is a fourth-year medical student at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Based in the Greater Chicago area, Yasmeen earned her bachelor's degree in biology. She enjoys spending time with friends, thrifting, watching international TV, and experimenting with makeup. Currently, she is exploring her interests in emergency medicine and cardiology. Yasmeen's ultimate goal is to provide compassionate care to her patients while also embracing the privilege of teaching the next generation of physicians.

Mercede Hess is a fourth-year medical student (OMS-IV) at Kansas City University. Originally from South Dakota, Mercede was raised in a rural community where she first became passionate about primary care and serving underrepresented communities. Mercede completed her Bachelor's Degree in Biology at the University of Minnesota-Morris and even completed her Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences. Mercede is interested in pursuing Family Medicine with a fellowship in OB/GYN and plans to go back home to serve her Tribal Nation (Oglala Lakota) as a Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholar. In her free time, Mercede enjoys volunteering, playing various instruments and traveling. 

 Hima Patel is from Atlanta, Georgia, and currently serves as one of MedAspire’s Research Chairs. She graduated from the University of Georgia and is now a fourth-year osteopathic medical student (OMS-IV) at Kansas City University. Hima is interested in pursuing cardiology or anesthesiology. She is enthusiastic about building networks within the organization and helping students make meaningful connections. In her free time, Hima enjoys socializing with friends and playing pickleball when the weather allows.

Niki Gharavi is a fourth-year medical student at Kansas City University with an interest in psychiatry. Originally from the Bay Area, Niki enjoys reading, lifting weights, and drinking coffee in her free time.

Tam Nguyen is a fourth-year medical student at Kansas City University. Though currently undecided on a specialty, Tam is leaning towards primary care-focused fields. In medical school, they focus on leadership and advocacy. Outside of school, Tam enjoys playing piano and guitar, reading manga or webtoons, and discovering new places to eat.

Rachana is a fourth-year med student at Kansas City University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. She attended Creighton University for her undergrad and is a Missouri native. During her free time, she likes collecting perfumes and also shopping

Phil Sheridan is a fourth-year medical student from West Plains, a small town in southern Missouri. He is currently interested in pursuing anesthesia as a specialty. Outside of medical school, Phil enjoys watching new movies and playing golf on the weekends.

Hong Nguyen is a fourth-year medical student at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM) with an interest in Pediatrics, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Developmental & Behavioral Disorders. Hong has a passion for working with children with special needs and has experience both working and volunteering with this population. Originally from Vietnam, Hong moved to Southern California for college at UCLA. Outside of school, Hong enjoys coffee hopping, making crafts for friends and family, hiking, and camping.