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Ashna Patel
HOP CO-CHAIR (PHL)

Ashna is an M2 from Canton, Massachusetts. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2023 with degrees in chemistry and political science. Her experience working as a medical assistant gave her a first-hand insight into the challenges many individuals face regarding healthcare access and literacy. Through HOP, she has been able to further develop her ability to advocate for patients and support vulnerable populations as we strive to provide care and education to those most in need in Philadelphia. She is excited to serve as co-chair of the College of Medicine’s Health Outreach Project and to help expand its impact across the city.

Melanie Stender
HOP CO-CHAIR (PHL)

Melanie is an M2 from Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in kinesiology in 2022. During her first year, she found HOP to be an incredible space for hands-on learning and meaningful patient interactions. The experiences she had through HOP deepened her passion for community-based care. Now, as a co-leader, she is eager to expand HOP’s reach, strengthen partnerships, and advocate for accessible, high-quality health care and impactful health initiatives across Philadelphia.

Samantha Lee
HOP CO-CHAIR (WR)

Samantha is a M2 student from Placentia, California. She graduated from UCLA in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in psychobiology. Due to her past work leading medical trips in low-income countries and as a volunteer soccer coach for athletes with physical/intellectual disabilities, she has a passion for helping underserved communities and advocating for others. Samantha is excited to co-lead to the HOP organization in West Reading and further its impact within the community.

Julia Teymouri
HOP CO-CHAIR (WR)

Julia is an M2 from Sacramento, California. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2024 with a degree in microbiology. She has found great fulfillment from volunteering with HOP this past year and is excited to build upon the work done by her predecessors as a co-chair. She is passionate about improving health care access for socially vulnerable populations and strengthening partnerships with community organizations that share in this mission within Berks County. In her free time, Julia enjoys playing pickleball, hiking and spending quality time with family and friends.

Nicole Ru
SECRETARY (PHL)

Nicole is an M2 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a double major in psychology and molecular & cell biology. She's excited to collaborate with her classmates through HOP to advocate for underserved communities and better understand the unique challenges that Philadelphia residents face in seeking health care. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, dancing Argentine tango, running and crocheting.

David Hutchins
TREASURER (PHL)

David is an M2 from Arnold, Maryland. He graduated from Loyola University Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in English literature. David chose to get involved with HOP in order to advance HOP’s mission of providing health care to underserved populations. As a member of the HOP leadership team, he is looking forward to fighting existing health care disparities and advocating for the Philadelphia community.

Gautham Ramachandran
TREASURER (WR)

Gautham is an M1 from Hillsborough, New Jersey. He graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass., with a degree in biology and math in 2024. As a member of HOP, Gautham hopes to expand HOP's reaches in Berks County and beyond.