THANKFUL
I Am Abel Foundation would like to take a moment to thank all of those who have helped us teach our amazing mentees throughout 2020. Even COVID-19 didn't stop our grind and we all adapted including our amazing students.
I would like to give a special thanks to our physician mentors and instructors in the "Introduction to History Taking and the Patient" Curriculum. A huge thanks to Dr. Rene Roberts, Dr. Audrey Tanksley, Dr. Rishi Agrawal and Dr. Conway. Each physician introduced our incoming mentees to the language of medicine all while teaching valuable pre-clinical skills usually taught in the 3rd and 4th years of medical school. Dr. Agrawal taught Epidemiology and Biostats and introduced the students to Journal Club while Dr. Roberts, Dr. Tanksley and Dr. Conway focused on History Taking and the Patient.
We would also like to thank our instructors of the Advanced Curriculum that covered topics in Gastroenterology as well as Cardiology. Each series is typically taught in 6 month "semesters" and are filled with hands on experiences along with focused lectures. A special thanks to Dr. Ike Okwuosa and Dr. Ed Mandieka. These amazing cardiologists exposed our students to advanced topics in Cardiology. Many of our advanced students can read an EKG or discuss the criteria for heart transplant and more. Dr. John Pandolfino and Dr. Harold Boutte introduced our mentees to a wide range of topics in gastroenterology from pH manometry, endoscopies and much more. They were often assisted by their amazing GI fellows as well.
Our students are receiving a world class experience completely free of charge that is valued at approximately $4500 - $5000 annually per student. This is only possible because of the incredible 1:1 mentoring experience for every single student along with incredible high quality pre-clinical instruction thanks to our physician mentors and volunteers that give from their hearts and souls without compensation. We can't thank each of them enough for their dedicated service.
I Am Abel Foundation is a large, growing and highly impactful foundation that is powered largely by our volunteers and very small staff. The day to day operations could never be as successful as it has been without our tiny but mighty leadership. A big thanks to our Admissions Coordinator, Keziah Aibanbee, MD, Student Coordinator, Magnolia Oliver, IT Manager, Revita Prowell and Posse Foundation Coordinator and Liaison, Sheila Gordon (not pictured) . We are also extremely grateful for our #PROUD Parent Leadership (#PROUD = Parents Raising Our Upcoming Doctors). Our #PROUD parents are mothers or fathers of our future physicians. A huge thanks to Deonna Onyango, Tamara Davis, Euel Bunton and Newoka Scott for your leadership over the past 4-5 years. Our #PROUD Parent members are absolutely amazing as well and we are incredibly appreciative of their leadership as well. We couldn't do this powerful work without these amazing people.
Finally, we also would like to thank each and every person that made a donation - no matter how great or small. Your seed of faith will prepare our next generation of healthcare heroes. One million thanks for helping us to prepare these students for compassionate service in medicine.
-Dr LaMenta Sweetie Conway, MPH, MD
I Am Abel Foundation, Founder