IMG Program (BRIIDGE)

My parents are from Somalia. I was born in the US and early in my childhood my family moved to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where I grew up. I completed medical school at Elrazi University in Khartoum, Sudan. I then completed my intern year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and returned to the US in 2017. I have worked at Axis medical center clinic for the past 2 years as a clinical assistant/ community health worker where I developed a strong interest in primary care. I’m looking forward to further my training in a community oriented program.

I was born in Enugu, Nigeria and am a graduate of University of Nigeria Nsukka, College of Medicine. I trained at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in the Department of Pediatrics. I obtained a Master in Public Health at the University of Lagos. I practiced at the Isolo General Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria-- a Community Hospital that has a high patient load with a focus on preventive, primary, and secondary health care. I worked simultaneously at Roding and Havana private hospitals in Lagos, taking care of pediatric patients with communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Since arriving in the US, I have been working at a DaVita Dialysis Unit as part of the team caring for end-stage renal disease patients on dialysis.

I was born in Mogadishu, Somalia but moved to Toronto, Canada, at a young age following the civil war. I graduated from Windsor University School of Medicine and completed my clinical clerkship in Chicago, IL working extensively with its various underserved communities. Upon graduating, I practiced as a general practitioner in Kenya and Somalia, where I discovered a true passion for primary care. My time there was eye-opening and taught me life lessons that I will always carry with me.

I moved to Minneapolis in 2019, and relocating here has been a gratifying experience. It has allowed me to engage in many efforts targeting vulnerable populations in the Twin Cities, focusing on health and wellness. I've worked with organizations on projects varying from improving health literacy to combating the stigma around substance abuse disorders. I am interested in preventative health and community wellbeing, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for minority and immigrant communities, particularly in the clinic setting. I am excited to be a part of this program and very grateful for the opportunity to learn from such accomplished preceptors.

I am originally from Egypt. I earned my medical degree from Cairo University School of Medicine. After graduation, I worked as a Family Physician in an underprivileged part of Egypt. I continued my post-graduate education at Minia University School of Medicine, earned a Master’s Degree in OB-GYN, and served as an attending OB-GYN Physician in Egypt. I have done research (now published) on the age of menarche in Mallway, Minia, Egypt. When coming to the US, I finished all the three steps of the USMLEs and obtained a second MD degree from the All-Saints University School of Medicine in Dominica. I hold two RN Licenses in the US.  I am eager to begin residency and obtain my medical license in order to contribute to efforts to address health inequities in Minnesota. I am a compassionate person who always wants to help people and enjoys participating in community outreach. I am currently the president of Saint George Antiochian Women Organization, a non-profit organization in Minnesota that serves women and their families. I am also a children’s teacher at St. George church school. I enjoy cooking Middle Eastern cuisine and socializing with family and friends in my spare time.

L to R: top: Emily Langerak, Jaya Durvasula, MD, Hope Pogemiller, MD, Mike Westerhaus, MD, Bukhari Burale, MD, Chris Miller
bottom: Ahmad Al-Anii, MD, Mahmoud Alatbee, MD, Salahudin Maalim, MD, Pat Walker, MD

Sonia Chowdhury

I was born and raised in Bangladesh. I attended a Government Medical College for my medical school training. I have stayed in Minnesota since I migrated in the US. I love the distinct four seasons I get here, the explosion of fall color, the breathtaking cold on a moonlight night, and the warm breeze on a relaxed summer evening. I am delighted I live in MN, the heaven on the earth.

Medicine is my passion. I feel rewarding to work with people of all ages to help them as they establish their health care goals and needs. I am excited to be a part of the UMN BRIIDGE Program and is proud to work with such a fantastic team of preceptors. 

Outside of medicine I enjoy outdoor activities, spending time with my family, friends, and gardening.

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Asila Osman

My name is Asila Osman, I was born in Somalia, But I grew up between Saudi Arabia and later in my childhood my family moved to the U.S., then I went to Medical school in Sudan at the international University of Africa. The experience of growing up and going to school in very different countries helped me develop good skills in communicating with people from different cultures and backgrounds and really enjoy it. After graduating Medical School I moved to Minneapolis, and worked as a Medical Interpreter and in health insurance. During that time I also found opportunities to do observerships in different primary care clinics, which is where I found my dream to be a practicing primary care physician in the future. While working there I enjoyed seeing the long- term relationships and trust the doctors built with their patients over the years, and how they helped them manage complex chronic illnesses. I am very excited to get back to learning and practicing medicine, and looking forward to giving back to the community.

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Folubi Salami

My name is Folubi Salami. I was born and raised in Lagos Nigeria. I had the collective experience of growing up in a country that had limited access to healthcare services. The resilience of the human spirit coupled with experiencing the healthcare delivery system in the United States blostered my intrest in quality health care. I moved to the beautiful island of St Kitts and Nevis to attend medical school at Windsor University school of medicine. I am passionate about health equity, a big advocate of helping the underserved minority community and ensuring patient access to health services.  Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, playing soccer, discovering new music, and pretty much any activity outdoors.

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Grace Kollannoor Samuel

Dr. Grace Kollannoor Samuel, MBBS, MS, PhD, is a medical doctor and epidemiologist with significant expertise in public health, social determinants of health, and health care research. After earning her medical degree, Grace practiced among the rural communities in her home state of Kerala, India. Later, she earned her Doctoral degree in Public Health (Chronic Disease Epidemiology) from Yale University, and Masters in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Connecticut. Grace has worked closely with the coastal communities and undernourished pediatric populations in Kerala, underserved Latino communities in Connecticut, and public program beneficiaries in Minnesota. Grace has published 10 peer-reviewed original research articles in reputed journals, including the Diabetes Care and the American Journal of Public Health, and has been contributing to the wellbeing of Minnesotans in her current role as a Senior Research Scientist in the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

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