Alexis Thompson, MD

Pediatrics PGY3

Vice Chair

Alexis was born and raised in Bridgeport, CT. She attended University of Connecticut where she graduated with in individualized degree in Neuroscience and Ethics. She stayed in Connecticut for medical school at UCONN. While in medical school, Alexis spent a lot time mentoring and working with students of the Hartford community and hopes to provide outreach and mentoring for the local youth of Providence. Alexis came to Brown for the supportive environment, diversity of the patient population and community outreach. Outside of work, Alexis really enjoys watching movies, attending plays and, concerts, is a frequent beach goer! In addition to serving at BMHA Vice Chair for the 2019-2020 year, she is also co coordinator of the Young Doctors Program.

Vanessa Ogueri, MD

Pediatrics PGY2

Treasurer

Vanessa was born and raised in Queens, NY. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, a combined BS-MD program dedicated to training physicians with a strong interest in delivering primary care services in underserved populations. Here she served as the President of the Student National Medical Association where she worked on community health and mentorship programs for the youth in the Harlem community. She then completed her clinical years at New York Medical College. She continues her interests in mentorship and advocacy at Brown as a Doctoring Mentor in addition to serving as the Treasurer of BMHA for the 2019-2020 year.

Matthew Anderson, MD

Neurosurgery PGY4

President

Matthew N. Anderson is a PGY-4 neurosurgery resident interested in cerebrovascular neurosurgery. He has a specific interest in interventional treatment of ischemic stroke and treatment of pediatric vascular malformations. Matthew is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. He then went to Stanford University to complete his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences. At Stanford, Matthew was president of the Stanford Black Pre-Medical Association, an organization dedicated to increasing the number of African American doctors in medicine. After Stanford, he attended University of Connecticut for medical school where he was co-president of the Student National Medical Association for two years. Throughout his academic career, Matthew has been interested in learning ways to increase diversity in medicine through various mentoring and pipeline programs. Matthew is excited to be a part of the Brown Minority Housestaff Association to assist in their mission of increasing and retaining the number of minority physicians at Rhode Island Hospital. Matthew enjoys running, weightlifting, cycling, karaoke and traveling when outside of the hospital.

Previous Board Members

Nkiruka Emeagwali, MD, PhD (Med-Peds)

Eric Chow, MD, MPH (Med-Peds)

Taneisha Wilson, MD (Emergency Medicine)

Chioma, Ihunnah, MD (Categorical Internal Medicine)

David Washington, MD (Med-Peds)

Jael Rodriguez, MD (Categorical Internal Medicine)

Yasmin, Khawja, MD (Categorical Internal Medicine)

Founding Members

 Akinniran Abisogun, MD (Categorical Internal Medicine)

Abby Tubman, MD (Categorical Internal Medicine)

Grace Wanjiku, MD (Categorical Internal Medicine)

Taneisha Wilson, MD (Emergency Medicine)

Michael Kelso, MD (Categorical Internal Medicine)

Faculty Advisors

Sybil Cineas, MD, Associate Program Director Internal Medicine- Pediatrics

Dom Tammaro, MD, Program Director Internal Medicine

Sabina Holland, MD, Chair of Pediatrics

Melissa Rodriguez Rodriguez, MD

Pediatrics PGY2

Secretary

Melissa is originally from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, where she was born and raised. She graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. Immediately after, she went on to pursue her medical studies at the University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Society, as well as the Gold Humanism Honor Society. She chose Brown due to the diverse patient population, excellence in academics and overall warmth and camaraderie displayed by all the residents and faculty; all of which made her feel right at home with the Brown Pediatrics Residency Family. During her free time Melissa loves reading, writing, any food related activity (cooking, baking, trying new restaurants), spending time with friends and family and finding new shows to binge watch on Netflix and Hulu.

Amber Young, MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology PGY1

ODMA Liaison

Amber Young is a PGY-1 obstetrics and gynecology resident. She has a love for underserved and vulnerable patient populations and medical education. Amber is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. She went to the University of Richmond in Virginia to complete her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. At the University of Richmond, Amber was one of the charter members for the University’s Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS). Amber then went to medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine where she was actively involved in the SNMA chapter and recruitment of under-represented students. Amber has an interest in recruitment and retention of under-represented minorities in medicine and she looks forward to continuing this interest within BMHA. She is thrilled to on the BMHA board and is excited for this upcoming year.

Tiffany Bell, MD, MPH

Obstetrics and Gynecology PGY1

Social Chair

Tiffany Bell is an Obstetrics and Gynecology resident at Women and Infants Hospital. She completed medical school at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and received her Master of Public Health and undergraduate degree at Yale University. Her interests include addressing reproductive and sexual health disparities, mentorship, and community service. As the Social Chair of BMHA, she looks forward to planning events to support a strong community among the residents, fellows, medical students, and faculty.

Yvorn Aswad, MD

Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent Psychiatry PGY1

Volunteer Coordinator

Yvorn "Doc" Aswad is a first-year resident in the combined Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent Psychiatry residency (aka "Triple Board"). No stranger to combined programs, he completed medical school at the combined Charles R. Drew University/David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Medical Education program. Prior to that he was an undergraduate at Stanford University. Doc is a proud native of South Los Angeles, which he credits as giving him a robust love for hiking, beaches, the arts, and above all, embracing and celebrating diverse cultures.

Rachel Buckle-Rashid, MD

Pediatrics PGY1

Social Media Chair

Rachel was born in DC and grew up between Ghana, Michigan, and Georgia. She attended Princeton University for undergrad and majored in psychology with a certificate in gender and sexuality studies. After graduation, she moved to DC and spent a year as a research assistant in a behavioral pharmacology lab at American University. She stayed in DC another year as a policy associate at the National Coalition on Health Care by day and a children’s yoga teacher in her spare time. She attended Emory University School of Medicine where she was actively involved in medical education, community outreach, and mentorship. In her free time, she enjoys kickboxing, drinking tea, watching both excellent and trash television, and getting too competitive with board games. She is looking forward to working with BMHA to foster a strong and diverse community for students, trainees, and faculty.