Hawa Ali

University of Minnesota Rochester

Hawa Ali is an exceptional student who continually engages in civic, social and health equality initiatives in Rochester - specifically within the Somali community. Hawa is currently a member of the Somali Health Advisory Committee, which is a local initiative to help the Somali community identify health-related issues as well as cost-effective and appropriate solutions through community events. Hawa is also currently working on her own research project which is titled "Hepatocellular Carcinoma Characteristics and Outcomes Among Somali Immigrants." Her project abstract has been accepted to the 8th American Association of Cancer Research Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial and Ethnic minorities and Medically Underserved.

Steven Lehmkuhle
Chancellor
University of Minnesota Rochester

Personal Statement

As a refugee from Somalia, I experienced the negative impacts of unawareness and inequity at varying levels of societal infrastructure. These experiences sparked my desire to educate, empower and advocate for my community and other vulnerable communities. To educate my community, I serve as a program coordinator and youth mentor for a non-profit organization called Rochester International Youth Organization (RIYO). At RIYO, I aid students with coursework, provide advice and resources on how to successfully navigate the school system. To empower my community, I am a board member of the Somali Health Advisory Committee where we advise research and clinical professionals on how to properly communicate and involve the Somali community in research and health advocacy campaigns. We also sponsor community health fairs to tackle culturally relevant concerns. To advocate for my community and other vulnerable communities, I volunteer at the Salvation Army Good Samaritan Clinic where we provide quality dental care to underserved populations. Furthermore, I conduct a research study that aims to understand the outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma in Somali immigrants. These experiences have exposed me to the varying layers of interventions necessary to tackle social issues. Therefore, I aspire to become a physician who addresses these needs.

Hawa Ali
Health Sciences: Class of 2017
written 2016

2016 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

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Karmen Kurtz, UNC Asheville Erin Coggins, UNC Charlotte Juan Emilio García Estrada, Universidad de Monterrey Sonce Reese, University of Baltimore Lillian McEntire, University of Central Arkansas Katie Richard, University of Central Oklahoma Joshua Higginbotham, University of Charleston Elizabeth Charash, University of Connecticut Kayla J. McLaughlin, University of Dayton Ciera Kathryn Blehm, University of Denver Andy Garcia, University of Florida Brittany Shipman, University of Great Falls Rima Nimri, University of Illinois at Chicago Maribel Hernandez, University of La Verne Benjamin Webster, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Rachael Parran, University of Maryland, Baltimore Max Poole, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Joel Colon, University of Massachusetts Boston Chris LaPorte, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Alexis Musick, University of Miami Hawa Ali, University of Minnesota Rochester Daniel Mueller, University of Missouri - St. Louis Mackenzie Lombardi, University of Montana Katelyn Gonczy, University of Mount Union Antonio Campbell, University of Nebraska Omaha Zachary Bolster, University of New Hampshire Michael Elliott, University of New Hampshire - Manchester John Blessing, University of North Georgia Shelby Yates, University of Northern Iowa Caitlin Hodges, University of Notre Dame Jeffrey Wiseman, University of Pennsylvania Ian Kanterman, University of Rhode Island Jennifer Paradis, University of Saint Joseph Jessica Villa, University of San Francisco Theresa M. Lacey, University of South Carolina Beaufort Cindy Kuo, University of Utah Mirella Espino, University of Wisconsin Colleges-University of Wisconsin-Extension Nasitta Keita, University of Wisconsin-Madison Marley Uran, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
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