Our people.
Your community.

Jade Porché is a third-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine and serves as Co-President of the Internal Medicine Interest Group. She is passionate about internal medicine, cardiovascular health, clinical research, and improving outcomes for patients with complex and chronic conditions. Her research background spans pediatric cardiology, precision medicine, maternal and child health, and population-based clinical research, with contributions to multiple peer-reviewed publications. As Co-President, Jade is committed to expanding mentorship, professional development, research, and networking opportunities while helping students explore the diverse career pathways available within internal medicine and its subspecialties.

Bhaswith Suresh is a third-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine and serves as Co-President of the Internal Medicine Interest Group. He is passionate about internal medicine, hematology, oncology, and advocacy to improve access to healthcare for all. As Co-President, Bhaswith is committed to facilitating research opportunities, providing mentorship, and growing the network of opportunities available to the COM while helping students explore the diverse career pathways available to them. In his free time, Bhaswith enjoys running with Howard’s Run club, playing golf, and exploring new neighborhoods in D.C.

Yafiet Gojela is a third-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine, where he serves as Vice President of the Internal Medicine Interest Group and Co-President of the Family Medicine Interest Group. Yafiet is passionate about preventive medicine, social determinants of health, nutrition in medicine, health equity, gastroenterology, and cardiovascular health. As Vice President, Yafiet hopes to strengthen mentorship between medical students, residents, fellows, and attending physicians by connecting students with faculty who can provide guidance on internal medicine residency, applications, and fellowship opportunities. He also hopes to build a strong community that supports students interested in internal medicine and helps them become well-rounded physicians prepared to serve underserved populations.

Alexa Ryan is a first year medical student at Howard University’s College of Medicine, and serves as this year's VP of Research of the Internal Medicine Interest Group. Her clinical interests lie in internal medicine, neurology, and emergency medicine, while her research background is in behavioral neuroscience, biochemistry, and immunology. She has presented and attended over a dozen conferences both locally in the DMV and across the country as well as secured funding for these endeavors. She hopes to share her knowledge about how to navigate conferences as a medical student, connect students with physicians and scientists to engage in research, and coordinate events to help students find their own research niche.

Ronak (Ronny) Bhatia is a third-year medical student at Howard University’s College of Medicine and serves as this year's VP of Research of the Internal Medicine Interest Group. His clinical interests lie in pediatrics, Med-peds, and pediatric surgery, while his research background is in neurology, surgery, endocrinology, and cardiology. He also has a background in data analysis and statistics from the University of Pennsylvania and hopes to share his knowledge with all classes and guide underclassmen in how to approach research in medical school, especially for those with less experience.

Kourtney Chinnery is a second-year medical student at the Howard University College of Medicine, where she serves as Secretary of the Internal Medicine Interest Group. Her interests include internal medicine, sports medicine, rehabilitation, clinical research, and improving access to quality healthcare for underserved communities. As Secretary, Kourtney is committed to supporting the organization through clear communication, organization, and thoughtful planning. She hopes to increase student engagement, connect students with like-minded peers, and expose students to the various opportunities available within the specialty. In her free time, she enjoys staying active, coaching gymnastics, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Samihaa Mehta is a third-year medical student with a strong interest in internal medicine, particularly gastroenterology and women’s health. She is passionate about patient advocacy and raising awareness of the social and cultural determinants that shape health outcomes and access to care. Samihaa is committed to promoting compassionate, patient-centered care and exploring how medicine can better address the diverse needs of the communities it serves. Outside of medicine, she enjoys trying new workout classes, discovering new coffee shops, and traveling.

Matthew Morckos is a third-year medical student and serves as the M3 Liaison for the Internal Medicine Interest Group. He is passionate about patient-centered care, medical education, and research, with interests spanning internal medicine and its subspecialties. Matthew is actively involved in clinical research, student leadership and enjoys helping fellow medical students connect with mentorship, research, and professional development opportunities. Through the Internal Medicine Interest Group, he hopes to foster a supportive community where students can explore the diverse career paths within internal medicine and engage with faculty, residents, and one another.

Ellington “Duke” McDaniels is a second-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine, serving the IM Interest Group as its M2 Liaison. He is passionate about internal medicine, clinical and biomedical research, healthcare policy, and exploring the relationship between medical science and societal power structures. He has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications throughout his research background in neuropharmacology. As M2 liaison, he intends to support and advocate for his peers as they navigate the intersection between pre-clinical organ systems and Step 1 preparation. Using the Internal Medicine Department’s core strengths and extensive subspecialty network, he hopes to help establish targeted programming to aid students in their mastery of complex pathophysiology, diagnostic algorithms, and case breakdowns that set up students to perform on both the boards and the wards.

D’Lyssa Bailey is a first-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine and serves as the M1 Liaison for the Internal Medicine Interest Group. She is passionate about Internal Medicine, patient advocacy, mentorship, and community service. Her commitment to service began at a young age in Jamaica and has continued through volunteer experiences in Jamaica, the United States, and Ghana. In her role as M1 Liaison, D’Lyssa works to connect first-year students with opportunities for mentorship, clinical exposure, and professional development within Internal Medicine. She hopes to foster a supportive community that encourages students to explore the specialty and develop meaningful connections with physicians and peers. D’Lyssa ultimately hopes to become a compassionate, patient-centered physician who uses medicine to make a lasting impact on the lives of her patients and community.

Yusuf Ashktorab is a third-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine and serves as Webmaster of the Internal Medicine Interest Group. His interests connect medicine, artificial intelligence, and education, including research collaborations at Stanford University focused on applying AI to clinical decision-making. He enjoys helping fellow medical students study more effectively through technology, Anki, and evidence-based learning strategies.