Alethea Amponsah, Post-baccalaureate Health Equity Ambassadors alumna, has been admitted to the Master of Education program in Human Development and Psychology in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.
Congratulations, Alethea!
Category: Health Equity Ambassadors
The Health Equity Scholars program has facilitated the training of over 30 scholars: pre-college, college, post-bac, and post-doctorate trainees. The health equity scholars program was formerly named the Health Disparities training program between 2003 and 2005 when Dr. David Mount was then a post-doc fellow at the University of Missouri. Renamed and redefined, the health equity scholars program launched in 2007 through a grant from the American Psychological Foundation, and then further supplemented in 2009 through a Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant from the Piedmont Triad Partnership and the U.S. Department of Labor. Both grants awarded to Dr. Mount focused on growing a critical mass of diverse health professionals. Program goals include efforts to:
• Implement a multi-university partnership in the Triad Area to address the problem of health care disparities across the Piedmont Triad.
• Recruit and retain a population of students who are seeking graduate and professional training in the health professions and committed to remedying health care disparities in underserved populations.
• Augment the preparation of students who are committed to a career in the health professions with enhanced research skills and policy sensitivity to issues of healthcare disparities, and health equity.
• Address health equity concerns related to workforce strength in the health professions, health professions diversity, providing a culturally rich and diverse environment that is recognized for providing encouragement, support, and resources to people from all backgrounds.
Mandy Emery
Mandy Emery is a Master’s in Bioethics student at Wake Forest University. As a recent graduate of Wake Forest University with a degree in History, her academic education and extracurricular activities have been both multidisciplinary and international. Additionally, her current academic pursuits include how incorporate existing interests with patient advocacy and bioethics as a whole. Her desire for working as an intern in the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity has been based upon learning more about health equity needs for both communities and individuals. In the future, she hopes to bridge her degree in Bioethics with History to continue supporting her affinity for the humanities and people.
Chastity Sapp
As a Salem College graduate, Chastity Sapp currently uses her educational background of cross-disciplinary studies of Teaching, Schools and Society to advocate for and enhance her community. Through mentorship and consistent volunteerism, Ms. Sapp displays a commitment to educating underprivileged women across the state in ways to successfully navigate adolescence. Her humble beginnings in Statesville, NC have rendered her a compassionate and engaged citizen of Winston-Salem as well as a passionate activist for healthy behavior and holistic-living. Chastity plans to share the joy of wholeness by pursuing opportunities that allow her to practice in the field of public health while teaching at the collegiate level.
Marissa Dixon
Marissa Dixon is a graduate from Winston-Salem State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During her undergrad she watched her passion for the science of psychology blossom and decided to pursue her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Marissa now trains under Dr. David Mount and is gaining an insightful knowledge and experience in theories and methodology of research. Since accepted under Dr. Mount’s mentorship her awareness in minority health and health disparities has deepened. She aims to bridge the gap in social determinants of health. Marissa has attributes to attend graduate school to pursue her doctorate degree while educating others on how to be in control of their health in the near future. Some of her common interest is mental health, mind-body relationships, chronic diseases, neuropsychology, and counseling.
Gregoire Sinclair Martin
Gregoire Sinclair Martin is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University with a degree in Psychology. During his tenure at Winston-Salem State University, he was a member of Psychology club and Psi Chi Honors fraternity. Gregoire’s goal is to achieve his master’s degree in School Counseling. Currently, he is honored to be engaged in research with Dr. David Mount at the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, where he is gaining experiences in health- based research on disparities. He plans to use this knowledge to further his research experience and provide awareness of growing problems that are affecting the Winston-Salem community.
Darin M. Johnson
Darin Johnson, an African American male, received both a B.A. Psychology and B.S. in Rehabilitation Studies degrees from Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While being mentored by Dr. David L. Mount, Darin successfully completed a prestigious Biomedical Research training program that consolidated approximately 5 years of research and professional development training, academic enhancement, and GRE preparation into a 12-month time frame. Mr. Johnson also served an ad hoc advisor function to Dr. Mount’s Health Equity Scholars to Health Equity Ambassadors program in the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity before enrolling in to a Clinical Psychology graduate program in Durham, North Carolina. “Excellent exposure; great training; and great interprofessional, team-based learning experiences!” Johnson said, when asked about his experience in Dr. Mount’s lab. In the meantime, Darin utilizes lessons learned in Dr. Mount’s lab to successfully perform competing tasks as the Acquisition and Growth Manager for LifE KiT Lifestyle Company in Durham, North Carolina. At LifE KiT Lifestyle Company Darin manages key aspects of the research and development division. This fall, Darin M. Johnson is slated to participate in the semester-long Integrative Health Coaching and Training Certification program at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
Jide’ Reddick: Student Intern Spring 2014
Jide’ Reddick, originally from Rockingham, North Carolina graduated from Richmond Senior High School and is currently a senior at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) pursuing a B.S. in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education. Two of Jide’s greatest accomplishments throughout college would be his induction into the Pi Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and the Alpha Nu Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma National Honor Society for Public Health. He also serves as the Student Organizational Senator for the Student Government Association. Jide’ is expected to graduate May 2014, and he is the first in his family to attend and graduate college from a 4 year university. Lastly, he was recently accepted into the Premedical Post-Baccalaureate program at the UNCG for the fall 2014. This program will allow him to obtain his pre-requisite courses for Medical School. His future plans are to apply to Medical School in 2016, and ultimately obtain a career in pediatrics.
Kiara Redice: Student Intern Spring 2014
Kiara Redice is a senior Psychology major, Rehabilitation Studies minor at Winston-Salem State University with an anticipated graduation date of May 2014. Kiara was born and raised in Charlotte, NC and attended West Charlotte High School. As an active student Kiara is involved in the Psychology club at WSSU where she serves as the chair of the public relations committee and she is also a member of the International Honors Society in Psychology. Upon graduation in May 2014, Kiara plans to attend graduate school to obtain her masters in Clinical Psychology. Kiara finds it fortunate to be able to work with Dr. Mount and is excited of the opportunities and experience she will gain.
Jessica Hall: Student Intern Summer 2013
Jessica Hall, from Union, South Carolina, is a rising Senior Health and Exercise Science major Sociology Minor at Wake Forest University with an anticipated graduation date of May 2014. Jessica is currently pursuing her dreams of becoming a pediatrician addressing the special health care needs of medically underserved communities. As an active student on Wake Forest Campus, Jessica is involved in a number of campus activities serving the Wake Forest community. In the summer of 2012, she studied at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Santiago, Dominican Republic participating in a total language immersion program studying public health with a focus on the health/illness process. In this program she looked at the multi-dimensional nature of health, preventative medical programs, and primary healthcare administration through involvement in health-related community services. She also advanced her conversational Spanish with a focus on mastering medical terminology. Upon graduation in May 2014, Jessica desires to enter a Pre-medical Post-baccalaureate program in order to finish her pre-medical requirements before applying to Medical School in the year of 2015.
Jamil Hopkins: Student Intern Fall 2012/Spring 2013
Jamil Hopkins, from Cary, North Carolina, is a senior biology major at Winston Salem State University with an anticipated graduation date of May 2013. As an UNTRAC (Undergraduate Neuroscience Training Cooperative) scholar, he is also obtaining a minor in Neuroscience from Wake Forest University. Upon graduating, Jamil will be seeking a master’s degree in psychology, with an overall goal of obtaining a terminal degree at the PhD or MD level. He is interested in the biological aspect of psychology, in particular, the underlying mechanisms of mental illnesses. As a student intern and health equity ambassador at the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Jamil is thrilled to learn as much as possible under Dr. Mount, and hopes to use the experience throughout his academic and professional careers. In his own words: “Simply put, I’m blessed to be in a position to learn under the mentorship of Dr. Mount.”