The MolinaCares Accord Michigan Health Equity Challenge Finalists

Wolfgang Bahr is pursuing a dual-degree MSW in Global Social Work and an MPH in Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Bahr moved to Michigan, working as a community health worker and health care navigator before starting his Master’s. His professional experience has provided him with invaluable insights into the challenges individuals face when navigating complex health systems and understanding the impact of social and environmental factors on well-being. He’s interested in holistic health equity, examining individual social and environmental factors and considering the impact of built surroundings through an environmental justice perspective. Advocating for restorative practices for community health, he aims to address individual health and societal structures contributing to health disparities. He aims to create equitable environments that prioritize well-being and the importance of justice in building a healthier, more inclusive world by understanding and addressing social determinants of health. In his free time, Bahr enjoys reading, baking, spending time with his dog, and caring for his many plants. He dedicates time to volunteering as the co-founder and vice-president of the Social Work Environmental Equity Taskforce, contributing to initiatives that align with his commitment to environmental and social justice.

Irving Suarez is a first-year graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Public Health in Health Behavior Health Education. He is passionate about interdisciplinary approaches to address health disparities and health inequities. Research interests include the impacts of mental health on overall wellness amongst Latin American Immigrants. He believes health equity is not just an optional add-on, it is a fundamental need in promoting optimal health outcomes for everyone. With a dedication to health equity, he aims to build bridges between individuals, healthcare systems, and the environment. By utilizing the skills and knowledge he gathers during his time at the university, he aspires to make a significant impact in the public health domain, endorsing and implementing the notion that health is not a privilege, but a right. During his free time, Suarez enjoys running, trying new restaurants, and spending time with loved ones. He is part of the e-board of La Salud and a member of the Public Health Action Support Team, allowing him to connect and be involved with both the campus and local communities.

Mehak is currently a first-year MPH student in the Health Management and Policy program at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Her academic journey began with a double major, culminating in a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behavior from McMaster University in Canada. During her undergraduate years, she actively engaged in various health-based organizations, notably as a fundraising officer for Medlife, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure in low-income communities. Additionally, she joined the Rare Disease Review journal as an editor, contributing to the discourse surrounding rare diseases from a health policy and research perspective. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Mehak volunteered as a group facilitator for women experiencing IPV. Here, she witnessed the challenges these women faced, particularly in navigating available IPV resources. The lack of knowledge and confusion surrounding these resources demotivated many from seeking help, significantly impacting their physical and mental health. With these experiences as motivation, Mehak is pursuing her MPH with a keen interest in the intersection of health policy and health equity. Her goal is to leverage her robust background in health policy to foster a positive change in healthcare accessibility, affordability, and infrastructure.

Natalie DeLiso (she/her) is currently a Master of Architecture student with a concentration in Design and Health at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Tulane University with minors in sociology, real estate, and urban studies. As a Dow Sustainability Fellow affiliated with the Graham Institute, Natalie collaborated closely with Habitat for Humanity, leveraging her expertise to propose evidence-based design strategies aimed at enhancing health outcomes. Her professional focus centers on advancing health equity within the built environment, underscored by a firm conviction in the transformative potential of design to positively impact human well-being.

Brooke Troxmondo (she/her)  is currently a dual degree Master’s student studying Urban and Regional Planning and Environmental Justice at the University of Michigan.  Brooke is originally from Spartanburg, SC and spent several years in Oklahoma City, OK before moving to Ann Arbor, MI for graduate school.  She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with Neuroscience and Women and Gender Studies minors.  She is interested in reparative planning and working to empower communities around issues of climate resiliency, adaptation, sustainability, and equity.  As a Dow Sustainability Fellow affiliated with the Graham Institute, Brooke was excited to bring her geospatial analysis skills and passion for equity and sustainability to a collaboration with Habitat for Humanity.

Eunji, a native of South Korea, found her passion for promoting health equity during a pivotal moment in the summer of 2020. While shadowing a pediatric dentist in preparation for dental school, she witnessed firsthand the stark contrast in dental experiences for children. This experience shattered her naive belief in the simplistic notion that “healthy teeth are one of five blessings of life.” Instead, she recognized that oral health disparities were deeply rooted in social determinants, disproportionately affecting underserved communities.

Eunji’s realization went beyond the realm of dentistry, unveiling a broader understanding that oral health is intricately linked to broader issues of equity. Her commitment to proactive and inclusive care was ignited as she witnessed infants with a mouthful of cavities, highlighting the profound impact of social factors on dental health. This revelation has become the driving force behind Eunji’s mission to enhance dental care access for underserved communities. 

A Tufts University graduate and now a first year student in University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Eunji aims not only to care for teeth, but also to advocate for systemic changes that promote health equity, recognizing the interconnected nature of oral health and overall well-being.

Xinyu is a PhD candidate in Technology and Operations at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. She conducts research in the healthcare supply chain, focusing on the quality and accessibility of medications and care delivery. Her research has provided insights into equitable access to healthcare resources under diverse insurance payment models, retail drug pricing schemes, and in the face of drug shortages. She has established research collaborations with industry practitioners, scholars, and frontline professionals in the pharmaceutical and medical industry. Her research is currently under review at Management Science, Production and Operations Management, and Cancer. She has served as a consultant to several leading pharmaceutical companies at McKinsey and IQVIA. Her work has provided actionable insights that inform decision-making for both policymakers and business collaborators.

Olivia Morris, currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy with a focus on healthcare policy reform, was born and raised in Los Angeles. Observing significant health disparities within the growing homeless population, she spent three years as a mental health counselor for unhoused clients with concurrent mental and physical health diagnoses. Through this experience, Olivia came to believe that the high cost of healthcare often prevents vulnerable individuals from accessing essential services. This sentiment, consistently expressed by her clients, fuels her commitment to making U.S. healthcare more accessible and affordable for low-income people through policy reform. Despite debates about excessive healthcare spending in the U.S. (approximately 1 in 5 dollars goes to healthcare), Olivia highlights that many vulnerable Americans still lack sufficient health coverage. Research shows that uninsured patients face higher out-of-pocket costs for medical care, leading to the avoidance of essential treatments. In her future career, Olivia aims to be a proactive leader in the field, taking action to bring about impactful changes for healthier lives.

Damilola is a first year Medicinal Chemistry PhD student in the University of Michigan who is enthusiastic about natural products drug discovery and pharmacogenomics. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where she finished as the second-best graduating student with multiple distinctions. In the course of her undergraduate degree, she co-founded Little Moms Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on helping pregnant teenage girls in Nigeria complete secondary school education. As a Clinical Pharmacist who was at the forefront of providing pharmaceutical care to several patients at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, she saw firsthand the impact of socioeconomic barriers to medication access on patient care. She subsequently undertook a 3-month internship in the Pfizer Global Regulatory Affairs program during which she engaged in advocacy for clinical trials among Nigerian patients. She previously worked on identifying pharmacogenomic variants that are associated with metabolism of psychotropic medications. She found common and rare variants that may be implicated in drug safety and efficacy among African and South Asian populations. Promoting drug safety, efficacy and access continues to be part of Damilola’s graduate studies and she hopes to achieve this at scale in the nearest future.