黑料网

Anesthesiology

Jade Denn茅

Diagnostic Radiology

搁别产别肠肠补听Melaka

Rebecca Melaku is a 2025 Castillo Scholar joining the Department of Diagnostic Radiology. Raised in North Carolina by Ethiopian immigrant parents, Rebecca witnessed firsthand the systemic barriers that made it difficult for many immigrant families to navigate the U.S. healthcare system. A formative year of middle school in Addis Ababa further shaped her perspective when her own family struggled to access timely care, exposing her to the consequences of delayed diagnoses and resource limitations. These experiences shaped Rebecca鈥檚 global perspective early on and deepened her commitment to advancing health equity and patient-centered care in the years that followed.

At Duke University, Rebecca explored the social determinants of health through both advocacy and research. She volunteered with the Community Empowerment Fund, supporting Durham residents facing housing insecurity, and led an eight-week Girls鈥� Education program in rural Kenya, where she saw how financial and educational barriers directly impacted health outcomes. These insights fueled Rebecca鈥檚 passion for addressing health disparities and led her to join Nivi, a global digital health startup. At Nivi, she helped design and implement eSAATHI, a 40-week WhatsApp-based maternal health program that provides OB/GYN patients in Assam, India, with pregnancy education, appointment reminders, and risk assessments. Rebecca鈥檚 work at Nivi reinforced her belief in the power of technology to expand health care access, while underscoring the critical need for precise diagnostics to ensure timely and effective interventions.

Now, as a Castillo Scholar joining the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Rebecca is eager to explore how imaging technologies can improve health outcomes in resource-limited settings and address equity gaps locally. She looks forward to contributing to 黑料网 Radiology鈥檚 initiatives in North Carolina, Kenya, and Malawi to bridge her passions for timely diagnostic care, health systems strengthening, and addressing health disparities to improve patient outcomes.

Emergency Medicine

Julia Godwin

Julia Godwin is a Mauricio Castillo Scholar joining the Department of Emergency Medicine. Born and raised in Wilmington, NC, she has grown passionate about practicing medicine dedicated to the greater North Carolina community. She found her passion for emergency medicine through her time working as an EMT in Orange County. With the vast geographical and population diversity that our state holds, she is excited to learn more about how this affects health and patient-centered care. She is interested in the dynamics of continuity of care amongst interdisciplinary healthcare professionals from the prehospital to hospital setting. In her spare time, she continues to work as an EMT part time and performs with the Chapel Hill Philharmonia.听

Family Medicine

Carolyn Christ

Carolyn Christ is a Mauricio Castillo Scholar joining the Department of Family Medicine. She grew up in Johnston County, NC, where she experienced firsthand the challenges of accessing healthcare in a rural community. She went on to attend 黑料网 for her undergraduate studies and majored in Medical Anthropology. Through her studies, she developed a strong interest in health disparities and the social factors that shape medical care. She hopes to use her medical training to improve healthcare access in rural and underserved communities.

After graduating, Carolyn spent two gap years working at a fertility clinic, where she gained valuable experience in patient care and learned a great deal about reproductive health. She later returned to North Carolina to work as a medical assistant, where she continued to build her clinical skills.

Now in medical school, she co-leads the Rural Medicine Pathway Program (RMPP), which helps pre-med students from rural backgrounds navigate the journey to medical school. She also volunteers weekly at a memory care unit to assist with activities. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, baking, and spending time with her two cats.

Interventional Radiology

Jessica Beltrani

Neurology

Ruchi Dudhat

Ruchi Dudhat was born in New Jersey and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2013. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where her interest in neurology began to take shape. A pivotal moment in her life occurred with the passing of her grandmother from a stroke, which introduced her to the complexities of neurological health. At the time, Ruchi and her family had limited knowledge of stroke symptoms and prevention, and by the time they recognized the severity of her grandmother’s condition, it was too late. Witnessing her grandmother’s suffering from a preventable neurological condition deeply affected Ruchi, prompting her to pursue neurology and advocate for better education, particularly in underserved communities where neurological conditions, such as strokes, are often underdiagnosed or mismanaged due to a lack of awareness and resources.

She is particularly passionate about women鈥檚 health, understanding that conditions like strokes often manifest differently in females and can be misdiagnosed or overlooked. This interest is also rooted in her identity as a queer individual, a group that is often underserved in healthcare. Ruchi recognizes the parallel between the challenges faced by the queer community and those experienced by underserved populations in the realm of neurology, where lack of knowledge, resources, and proper care can lead to untreated conditions. Through her work in neurology, she hopes to not only diagnose and treat neurological conditions but also to advocate for more inclusive, accessible healthcare for all individuals, regardless of gender or sexual identity.

Neurosurgery

Aeon Alex Nyx

Aeon Alex Nyx is a 2024 Mauricio Castillo Scholar joining the Department of Neurosurgery. He is currently an MD Candidate (Class of 2028) at the 黑料网, supported by the Blanchard Carolina Family Scholarship. Originally from Syria, Alex developed a passion for neurosurgery and global health equity after witnessing firsthand how conflict and limited resources affect healthcare delivery. He went on to earn a Master of Engineering in Molecular Engineering from the University of Chicago, focusing on how advanced technology can address clinical needs. Under the mentorship of Dr. Vibhor Krishna, Alex conducts research on Safe Same-Day Discharge After Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson鈥檚 Disease, aiming to make neurosurgical care more accessible and cost-effective for underserved communities.

Outside of research, Alex is deeply involved in leadership and service. As Co-Director of N-648 clinics with Physicians for Human Rights, he helps immigrants and refugees complete USCIS disability forms, and he also heads an Unintentionally Retained Foreign Object (URFO) Task Force to improve patient safety in the operating room. He is Co-President of the Neurosurgery Interest Group at 黑料网, facilitating guest lectures and hands-on workshops for fellow students. In addition, Alex has volunteered with Chicago Cares, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, and other organizations that serve vulnerable populations. His passions extend beyond medicine: he is an accomplished flutist, a longtime supporter of musical outreach, a tennis and snowboarding enthusiast, and an avid explorer of natural photography. Through the Castillo Scholars Program, Alex looks forward to advancing neurosurgical innovations that uphold dignity, equity, and excellence for all patients.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

DeAnna Turner

Outside of medicine, DeAnna enjoys writing poetry, traveling, and spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Mr. President. On campus, she is an active member of several organizations: a CAMPOS student, SHAC Bridge to Care Co-Director, First Generation Fellows member, PULSOs chair of LMSA, and the secretary and MAPS co-liaison within SNMA.

Orthopedic Surgery

Gurjant Skehon

Orthopedic Surgery

Joshua Taylor

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Divya Mehta

Divya Mehta is a 2025 Mauricio Castillo Scholar joining the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Divya grew up in Apopka, FL and pursued her undergraduate education in Nutrition through the Gillings School of Global Public Health at 黑料网. With a strong public health background, the community has always been at the forefront of her interests in medicine. Divya spent her gap year prior to medical school as an AmeriCorps Lead for North Carolina Fellow with Chatham County鈥檚 Department of Social Services, seeing firsthand the various factors that impact health outcomes and working on housing instability-related outreach and programming.

Divya is excited to explore the interdisciplinary intricacies of PM&R and is committed to advocating for improving functioning and quality of life for those with limited access to sustainable care. She is a Co-Director of the Bridge to Care Clinic at SHAC, which connects un- and under-insured individuals with chronic conditions to longitudinal care. In her free time, Divya enjoys spending time outdoors on hikes or runs.

Psychiatry

Kaela Williams

Kaela Williams believes in showing up for others and is passionate about supporting spaces where people are heard and empowered. As a Castillo Scholar with the Department of Psychiatry this summer, Kaela is excited to continue learning, growing, and finding ways to make a positive and lasting impact.

She currently serves as the president of MentorRX, helping guide and support medical students through their journey. Additionally, Kaela serves as the social media chair and historian webmaster for the Student National Medical Association. She is also actively involved in Partners in Health and the National Council of Negro Women, organizations that align well with her commitment to health equity and social change. For the past few years, Kaela has volunteered as a crisis text line counselor, a role that has shaped her understanding of empathy and what it really means to serve.

Kaela finds joy in roller skating, braiding hair, and spending time with family and friends. You can usually find her channeling her creative nature on the weekends through DIY projects and poetry writing. When life gets overwhelming, she leans on faith, fitness, and community to keep her grounded.

As she begins this new chapter as a Castillo Scholar, Kaela is looking forward to building connections with mentors and peers alike. She鈥檚 excited for the opportunity to enhance her medical education and help progress her community and the field of Psychiatry.

Radiation Oncology

Nia Brown

Nia Brown is a Castillo Scholar joining the Department of Radiation Oncology. Originally from Olathe, Kansas, she developed a passion for health equity through her involvement with the Kansas City Health Equity and Learning Action Network. There, she met a previously undomiciled woman who shared her struggles with healthcare access and peripartum pain management, highlighting the devastating impact of inadequate medical care. This encounter, coupled with witnessing the vital role of precision treatment in radiation oncology in her late grandmother鈥檚 battle with uterine cancer, deepened Nia鈥檚 resolve to address health disparities and improve access to specialized care for underserved communities.

Nia earned her degree in Biology with a concentration in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology from NC State University, where she cultivated a strong interest in precision medicine. As a former NIH-T34 research scholar, she contributed to published research on biomarkers of chronic disease, furthering her understanding of how targeted therapies can improve patient outcomes.

Health equity is a central pillar of her aspirations. Before medical school, she volunteered as a medical scribe and access to care intern at Urban Ministries Open Door Clinic in Raleigh, NC, where she supported uninsured patients in navigating healthcare resources. Assisting uninsured patients, coordinating follow-up care, and connecting individuals to financial assistance programs have reinforced her commitment to both treating disease and addressing the systemic obstacles to timely, effective healthcare. She now serves as a bridge-to-care manager volunteer at the 黑料网 SHAC Clinic, connecting patients to essential medical services. Additionally, she is on the executive board of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) as the Community Service Chair, furthering her commitment to health equity and outreach.

Nia hopes to integrate her passion for advocacy and precision medicine into her future career, ensuring that all patients receive compassionate and equitable treatment. Outside of medicine, she enjoys roller skating, fitness classes, and spending time with her family.

Surgery

Ryan H. Sellers

Ryan H. Sellers is honored to be selected as a Mauricio Castillo Scholar in the Department of Surgery. A native of Raeford, NC, he grew up in a rural, underserved community, where limited healthcare access was not just a challenge but a daily reality. Witnessing these disparities firsthand instilled in him a deep commitment to medicine, public health, and using his hands to enact tangible change.

Ryan attended Duke University as a David M. Rubenstein Scholar, earning a B.S. in Biology with minors in Neuroscience and Chemistry in 2021. While at Duke, he volunteered with Duke EMS, Habitat for Humanity, and served as a peer mentor for first-generation students. On weekends and during academic breaks, he returned to his hometown to volunteer as an EMT. He co-created and led an undergraduate course in introductory emergency medicine and assisted in EMT instruction at Durham Technical Community College. His research focused on cancer cell biology, science education, and leveraging innovation to bridge healthcare disparities.

After graduation, Ryan worked full-time as an EMT-Advanced for his hometown鈥檚 911 service, appreciating the immediate impact of hands-on care. Additionally, he contributed to a COVID-19 community volunteer group in Pamlico County, a region with no hospital. He secured grant funding, developed, and implemented a text-message response system to enhance public health communication and disaster response for local leaders and residents.

At 黑料网, Ryan is a recipient of the Blanchard Carolina Family Scholarship. He serves as Triage Co-Director for the SHAC Medical Clinic, mentors first-generation pre-medical students, and is the Vice President of Logistics for F1rst Gen Fellows. Drawn to surgery for its fusion of technical skill, problem-solving, and patient trust, he is particularly interested in the intersection of technology and medicine to create life-changing outcomes.

In his free time, he enjoys reading, weightlifting, and hiking with his wife and their two dogs.

Urology

Ruby Abhor

Ruby Abror is a first generation American, born in Ghana and raised in Pennsylvania with her four older brothers and younger sister. She developed an early interest in medicine through personal experiences with the medical system. Ruby moved to North Carolina with the intention of attending undergrad here but fell in love with the state, deciding to attend medical school here as well. She graduated with a degree in Biology from 黑料网 and served as an EMT with Wake County EMS for 4 years before medical school, beginning during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in summer of 2020. Ruby鈥檚 interest in urology began when her father was diagnosed with prostate cancer at a pivotal time in her life. Though he has since been in remission, he continues to see the same urologist whom he has developed an incredibly close relationship with. Throughout that experience she witnessed firsthand how the physician interacted with her father, giving her insight into the kind of physician she wanted to be 鈥� one that is equipped to provide compassionate and competent care in the most vulnerable moments of her patients鈥� lives. Within the specialty, she is interested in exploring minimally invasive techniques that combine urology with interventional radiology. Ruby is passionate about increasing representation of underrepresented minorities in medicine, as well as improving healthcare outcomes for underserved populations such as immigrants and the elderly. She currently serves in SNMA as co-leader of Minority Women in Medicine and in the Interventional Radiology Interest Group as co-vice president. She is also a participant in the Care of the Older Patient Scholarly Concentration. In her free time, Ruby enjoys traveling, music festivals, car camping, and discovering new coffee shops.