IMG Program (BRIIDGE)

Ali Babar

Born & med school grad in Pakistan 

I am a graduate of King Edward Medical University in Pakistan. I have a deep-seated commitment to advancing primary care. Drawing upon my diverse background, encompassing roles as a research fellow for the Endovascular Interventional Society and as a real estate underwriter, I have cultivated a versatile skill set that seamlessly merges medical expertise with analytical acumen. Notably, my ability to forge meaningful connections with patients is a cornerstone of my professional approach. Outside of my medical endeavors, I derive fulfillment from playing chess and tennis and cooking BBQ over an open flame beside a tranquil river setting.

Yaseen Abdalla

Born in Sudan, med school grad in Ukraine

I was born in Sudan and grew up in the Sultanate of Oman, where I spent all my childhood until high school. Later, I pursued my medical education at Kharkiv National Medical University in Ukraine, where I obtained my medical diploma. Following my education in Ukraine, I relocated to the States in 2017 to pursue my medical career and get into residency. While in the States, I gained different skills and experiences working in community clinics and hospitals and volunteering in the community.

I look forward to further developing my clinical skills and benefiting from the expertise of all accomplished physicians within this program. My Future goals are to educate and improve my community health literacy.

Ericka Lara Ovares

Born & med school grad in Costa Rica

I am a native of San José, Costa Rica, earning my Doctorate of Medicine and Surgery from Universidad de Ciencias Médicas (UCIMED). Following my passion for public health, I obtained an MPH from the University of Minnesota in 2020. With 10 years of experience, I have served diverse healthcare sectors. As a primary care physician in Costa Rica, I cared for rural Hispanic communities. In the U.S., I conducted clinical trials at Hennepin County Medical Center and advocated for affordable healthcare access in the MN Legislature. 

My commitment to community empowerment extends to my work with global health organizations like the World Health Organization, the American Journal of Public Health and other public health advocacy groups. Through these experiences, I have gained expertise in international health policy, social media for public health, and government relations. Most recently, as Research and Evaluation Coordinator for HACER, a Hispanic-led nonprofit, I have led community-based participatory research projects that amplify Latino voices, address social determinants of health, and inform equitable healthcare representation in MN.

Sarah Eltraify

Born & med school grad in Sudan

I grew up in Khartoum, Sudan where I graduated medical school from The University of Khartoum. I practiced medicine between Sudan and Saudi Arabia. During my practice, I witnessed how the lack of primary care affected the communities in both Sudan and Saudi Arabia. I truly believe that appropriate, holistic primary care taking into account all the different backgrounds of individuals can be the answer and first line defense against so many ailments. I enjoy the long lasting relationships that I create with my patients and getting to know them and their families. “ It’s far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has” - Hippocrates.

Outside of medical practice, I enjoy reading, taking long walks and spending time with my son doing different activities.

Muhammad Reza Chaudhry (Reza)

Born in Iran, med school grad in Grenada 

I was born in Iran and grew up in the United Arab Emirates. I have always loved traveling and visited several countries before moving to the beautiful tri-island state of Grenada, West Indies, where I completed both my medical degree and graduate degrees from St. George’s University. I am passionate about medical education, have conducted healthcare research, and co-authored published journal articles. 

Since being in Minnesota, I have found  job opportunities in workplace health and safety as well as healthcare simulation, which has allowed me to draw from my medical training. 
My long-term career goals include practicing medicine in underserved communities in Minnesota and patient advocacy. 

Outside of medicine, I enjoy looking for interesting items in antique stores, photography, hiking, and spending time with family.

Maxim Nikolaevskiy (Max)

Born and med school grad in Russia

My family was given the Diversity Visa, and we moved with our two kids to the USA, Moorhead, Minnesota from Russia in 2018. We have been living there since then. Before that I worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist in St. Petersburg, Russia, for two years after my residency. 

The reasons to choose Minnesota were numerous: good social support, high Human Development Index; one of the most important reasons was the four-season climate with temperatures close to my home country.

In the USA I started as a research coordinator and later worked as a Clinical Research Associate, which means that I traveled a lot to different parts of the country to ensure that investigators conduct clinical trials according to regulations.

After residency, my hope is to be not just a physician for this patient, this minute, but for families of the community over a long period by helping to maintain and build health and well-being throughout their lifetime.
 

Melissa Rieger

Born in Chile, med school grad in Colombia

I am originally from Chillan, Chile.  I graduated Medical School from the Universidad Javeriana 

Bogotá, Colombia in 2008.  I completed my Masters in Biomedical Research in 2010 and my PhD in Molecular Oncology at the University of Navarra, Spain in 2014.  

After moving to the US I have been a Stay-at-Home Mom.  In my free time I have completed observerships at Hudson Physicians in Hudson, WI and volunteered at LEX Pregnancy Center, East Bethel as an advocate for women considering abortion. These experiences reinforced my passion for Primary Care.

Dadee Saye

Born in Liberia, med school grad in The Gambia 

I was born and raised in Liberia, West Africa. I completed my undergraduate degree in biology from Cuttington University in Liberia. Thereafter, I enrolled at the University of The Gambia, where I completed my medical education. After graduation, I went back to Liberia and completed my internship training and an additional intensive six months of emergency surgical and obstetric training offered by the Ministry of Health of Liberia. This  additional training provided general practitioners the skills needed to work in rural Liberia. I was later assigned as a general practitioner at Phebe Hospital in central Liberia. My practice consisted of inpatient care on the surgical and medical wards, emergency department shift work and chronic disease outpatient clinics. My experience working in central Liberia with vulnerable populations solidified my passion for primary care and my desire to work with underserved communities.

After moving to the United States to join my family, I completed a master’s degree at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. I have done clinical observerships at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis and the HealthPartners Clinics in Brooklyn Center and St. Paul. I am eager to go into primary care and work in rural and underserved communities in Minnesota, a state that has become a home for my family and many immigrants.

Abdulaziz Gabow

I was born to Somali parents and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, I earned my medical degree from Elrazi University in Khartoum, Sudan. After completing my medical intern year in Riyadh, I moved to the US in 2017 to pursue residency training.

During this journey, I discovered a profound interest in community-focused projects while working for 2 years at an FQHC clinic as a clinical assistant and community health worker. This experience ignited a strong passion for primary care.

I'm excited to further my training through a community-oriented program, aiming to enhance my skills and make meaningful contributions to the realm of primary care. My future aspirations are centered around immigrant/refugee health and improving health literacy in underserved communities.

Adaobi Izuora

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.

Khalid Haji-Kusow

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.

Mervat Lotfalla

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.

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.

Hear Dr. Chowdhury's story in her own words

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.

Hear Dr. Osman's story in her own words

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.

Hear Dr. Folubi's story in his own words

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.

Hear Dr. Samuel's story in her own words

Svetlana Adusheva 

Svetlana is originally from Ufa, Russia but grew up in the Twin Cities. She graduated from Bashkir State Medical University in 2015. Svetlana is incredibly excited to participate in the BRIIDGE program and gain US clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In her free time she loves to cook, crochet and spend time outdoors.

Sana Khan 

Sana was born and raised in Pakistan. She got her medical degree from Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan. Her medical interest involves primary care, disease prevention, health promotion, and chronic disease management. She likes to spend her free time with her husband and daughter. She enjoys cooking, painting, and traveling.

Sehar Minhas 

Medical School: Army Medical College, Pakistan. 
Sehar was born and raised in Pakistan as the daughter of an Army Doctor, and as such, lived all over the country and abroad during her years spent at home. She married my husband and moved with him to the US in 2014. She’s very excited to be a part of the BRIIDGE program and is hoping to learn as much as possible about everything. Her future goal is to be an outpatient primary care physician, preferably in the southwest metro area in Minnesota.

Saron Yohannes 

Saron is an International Medical Graduate. She was born and raised in Ethiopia. She received her Medical training at Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine in Ethiopia. She worked as a general practitioner in Ethiopia.

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