January 23-25, 2026
National Leadership Institute
Hosted By:
Bridges to Excellence: Developing Visionary Leaders for the Future Bridges to Excellence: Developing Visionary Leaders for the Future
Hosted via Zoom
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
From the Desk of the National President
Dear SNMA Family,
Welcome to the January 2026 National Leadership Institute here in Philadelphia. It is an honor to stand with you and to welcome each of you to this important weekend of leadership development, fellowship, and growth. Thank you for choosing to be here and for continuing to invest in the mission and future of the SNMA.
Our theme, “Bridges to Excellence: Developing Visionary Leaders for the Future,” captures the essence of what the NLI is designed to accomplish. This weekend will provide you with an opportunity to enhance your leadership skills, gain a clearer understanding of the SNMA governance, and build meaningful connections that will support you throughout your medical and leadership journeys The NLI is a space for learning and self-discovery. I hope you leave with new tools, greater confidence, and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead within this organization.
We will kick off the weekend on Friday evening with our welcome reception, where you can meet the SNMA leadership and connect with our partners and sponsors. Saturday will feature a full schedule of sessions and training designed to challenge you, guide you, and prepare you to lead within your chapters, regions, and professional futures I encourage you to be present, ask questions, and make the most of every moment this weekend offers.
I want to extend deep gratitude to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for hosting us this year and Dr. Jessica Fowler, Professional Board Member Emeritus, for her incredible commitment, planning, and hospitality throughout this process. I also want to acknowledge Region VIII for welcoming us into your region, and the SNMA chapters at the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University for their warm hospitality and for making us feel at home in this city. Your support, energy, and partnership have been invaluable, and we are grateful.
More importantly, I want to thank you, SNMA Family. You are the heart of this organization. Your passion for service, your commitment to equity in medicine, and your willingness to lead, even while balancing the demands of medical education, are what make SNMA strong. This organization exists and thrives because of your dedication to the work and each other.
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
From the Desk of the National President
I want to also extend sincere appreciation to the Chairperson of the Board, our President Elect, the entire Board of Directors, our esteemed SNMA Emeriti and Alumni leaders, our Chapter presidents and campus leaders, and our outstanding SNMA Headquarters staff. Your hard work, dedication, and passion have made this year and this weekend possible.
As you move through NLI, you will gain a deeper understanding of how our BOD functions, how national decisions are shaped, and how each leader contributes to the SNMA’s mission. I hope this experience inspires you to continue building forward and to think boldly about your role in the future of medicine. While you are here, I also hope you take time to enjoy Philadelphia and everything this city has to offer.
It is my pleasure to officially welcome you to the January 2026 National Leadership Institute. Thank you for being here I am excited for this weekend and grateful to share this experience with you
Sincerely,
Sydney Baltimore.
63 National President rd
Student National Medical Association
MD Candidate 2026 | American University of Antigua College of Medicine
STUDENT NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
From the Desk of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors
Dear SNMA Leaders,
It is an honor to welcome you to the January 2026 Winter National Leadership Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania As our final NLI of the administrative year, this weekend gives us a meaningful pause, a chance to reflect on the impact we have made, recognize how far we have grown, and set clear intentions for the months ahead. It offers us an opportunity to reconnect with our purpose and prepare to close out our term with focus.
The theme of this NLI “Bridges to Excellence: Developing Visionary Leaders for the Future” invites us to think boldly about how we lead and how we carry our mission forward. It encourages us to consider not only our goals, but the collective strength we build when we support one another I am deeply proud of the work you have carried out this year Your commitment to our mission has been evident in your thoughtfulness and consistent leadership. Your willingness to show up for our members, one another, and for the communities we serve has anchored us during the most challenging moments this year and demonstrated what shared leadership truly looks like. Watching you step into your roles with such passion and intention has been inspiring.
We are grateful to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for hosting and supporting this NLI. Their partnership reflects a shared belief in nurturing emerging leaders and investing in the future of medicine. I also want to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Jessica Fowler, PBM Emerita, whose guidance and dedication made this weekend possible, and to our Board members, National Headquarters staff, alumni, and supporters who continue to uplift this organization each and every day. Your work strengthens the SNMA and allows weekends like this to flourish.
Here’s to yet another meaningful and energizing weekend. I look forward to what we will continue to accomplish together.
Sincerely,
Mychael T. Spencer, M.Ed. Chairperson of the Board of Directors 25-26
Student National Medical Association
MD Candidate 2026 | Indiana University School of Medicine
Welcome Message from the NLI Sponsor
2025-26 Board of Directors
National Chairperson of the Board
Myke Spencer
National President
Sydney Baltimore
National President-Elect
Kailyn Geter
National Secretary
Suzette Ndubuisi
National Treasurer
Ashley Spooner
Pre-Medical Board Member
Jalil Mitchell
Speaker of the House Azaziah Parker
National Parliamentarian
Gregory Ridgel
Immediate Past Chairperson
Stella Udoetuk, MD, MPH
Immediate Past President
Ja'Nia McPhatter
Executive Director
Bridgette Hudson, MBA
Professional Board Member to the Executive Committee
Cortlyn Brown, MD
Professional Board Member
Jade Anderson, MD
Professional Board Member
Donald Carson, DO
Professional Board Member
Cornelius Jamison, MD
Academic Affairs
Sonia Chinedu & Annieka Reno
Community Service
Kayla Davenport & Brooke Jones
Convention Planning
Grace Okpali & Sherina Bontiff
Diversity Research
Shermaine "Hutch" Hutchins & Nina
Uzoigwe
External Affairs
Rebekah Dike & Deondra Montgomery
Finance
Ashley Spooner
Health Policy & Legislative Affairs
Ayana Crawl-Bey & Andrea Arline
Internal Affairs
Brianna Mosley
International Affairs
Surya Adams & Celine Rukiidi
MAPS
Jalil Mitchell
Membership
Jonathan Davenport & Jailyn Smith
Osteopathic Affairs
Marisa Arakawa & Chinyere Nnaji
Publications
Hans Owuor
Regional Director I
Selom Gbewonyo
Regional Director II
Diamond Coleman
Regional Director III
Kiersten Sydnor
Regional Director IV
Arielle Patterson
Regional Director V
Ashonti Wright
Regional Director VI
Chukwudalu Ononenyi
Regional Director VII
Ayomini Ajayi
Regional Director VIII
Manuel Sackey
Regional Director IX
Kendra Soh
Regional Director X & Regional Director to Executive Committee
Shanika "Shan" Francis
Student National Medical Association Headquarters Staff
Executive Director
Bridgette Hudson
Membership and Chapter Services Coordinator
Lakia Bailey
Projects and Partnership Manager
Dejanira Cruz
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Adrienne Lewis
Governance and Special Projects Specialist
Denisha Thomas
Operations Coordinator
Jennifer Murray
Events and Logistics Specialist (Contractor)
Erika Witherspoon
Website Manager (Contractor)
Megan Bourque-Stith
Table of Contents
at a Glance: Pg. 9
Program Schedule: Pgs. 10-12
Speakers: Pgs. 13-22
Join the Jan NLI GroupMe for in the moment updates!
Virtual NLI Overview
Given the developing weather forecast in Philadelphia this weekend, January NLI will now be held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, January 24, 2026!
The Zoom link to connect is: https://pennmedicine.zoom.us/j/97613083554? pwd=YjFwcUZtZG9pMzBpZkZVYjYwTmVHZz09
Best Practice: Virtual Events
1.Prepare Before the Conference
a.Review the agenda before the start of the conference
b.Test your technology
2.Be Present and Engaged
a.Join sessions on time and stay for the full presentation
b.Keep your camera on when possible
c.Engage with speakers via the chat, polls, or Q&A
3.Practice Virtual Professionalism
a.Use your full name as your display name
b.Dress appropriately for the occasion
c.Mute yourself when not speaking
4.Maintain Conference Etiquette
a.Avoid multitasking during sessions
Saturday At-a-Glance
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24
8:30-9:00 AM Tech Sign-On and Troubleshooting
9:00-9:30 AM 12:30-1:00 PM Break & Lunch
Welcome Remarks
5:30-8:00 PM
2:45-4:00 PM BOD Meeting
Breakout Sessions
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24
*All sessions will be held on Zoom https://pennmedicine.zoom.us/j/97613083554?pwd=YjFwcUZtZG9pMzBpZkZVYjYwTmVHZz09
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Welcome Remarks
Myke Spencer, National Chairperson of the Board
Sydney Baltimore, National President
Dr. Jessica Fowler, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology & Critical Care; Pediatric Critical Care Attending Physician; Associate DIO of Inclusion, Belonging, & Equity CHOP; SNMA PBM Emerita
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Leading from Your Seat: Influence over Position
Dr. Angela Ellison, Executive Vice Chair Department of Pediatrics and Professor of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Beyond the Bedside: Understanding Your Role in Advocacy
Dr. George Dalembert, CHOP Attending Physician, Assistant Professor
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Going Global: Partnership that Makes a Difference
Dr. Abass Noor, Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiology, Director and Endowed Chair of Global Radiology Outreach & Education
Dr. Vanessa Denny, Attending, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Dr. Yehoda Martei, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Vice Chief of Global Oncology, Hematology-Oncology Division, University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Bridgette Wamakima Assistant Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM The Power of Pause: Mindfulness and Intentional Leadership
Dr. Angela Anderson, Attending Physician, Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, CHOP; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Pediatrics, UPenn, Perelman School of Medicine
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Saving Us: Health Equity through Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness
Dr. Matthew Goldshore, Abdominal Transplant Fellow, The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Houston Roberson, NMDP
Jackie Vargas, NMDP
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24
2:45 PM- 4:00 PM Breakouts Rooms:
- Regional Directors: Myke Spencer, Chairperson of the Board
- NCCs: Sydney Baltimore, National President
- Executive Officers: Denisha Thomas, Governance Specialist
- Emerging Leaders: Kailyn Geter, National President Elect
- Pre-medical Students:
2:45- 3:25PM Defining your Why in Medicine
Dr. Renee Volny Darko SNMA National Chair Emerita
3:25-4:05 PM The Competitive Edge: Standing Out in the Medical School Application Process
Dr. Abike James, MD MPH, Professor, Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology & Vice Chair, Academic Excellence and Community Engagement
4:00 PM-4:15 PM Closing Remarks Myke Spencer, Chairperson of the Board
Sydney Baltimore, National President
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM Break & Transition to BOD Meeting
5:30 PM- 8:00 PM Board of Directors Meeting (via Microsoft Teams)
*Portions of the BOD Meeting will be in closed session where only BOD members can attend
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM Board of Directors Meeting (via Microsoft Teams)
*Portions of the BOD Meeting will be in closed session where only BOD members can attend
Angela Ellison, MD, MSc
Executive Vice Chair Department of Pediatrics and Professor of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Angie Ellison is the Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at Penn. She holds the Louis Starr Endowed Chair in Pediatrics at CHOP.
Rooted in her life experiences, Dr. Ellison has centered her life and career on her noble purpose which is to assure that EVERY child is provided the best opportunity to live their best life. She executes her purpose through her leadership, research, advocacy and service. Her research and scholarship are focused on advancing health equity and improving the diagnostic evaluation and management of complications of sickle cell disease and thrombotic events in the pediatric emergency department. She is also leading studies to develop evidence-based strategies to support physicians like herself whose careers have been interrupted and challenged by life-threatening illness and/or medical events.
Dr. Ellison is the nationally elected At-Large Board member representing medical subspecialties for the American Academy of Pediatrics, a professional organization composed of 67,000 general pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and surgical specialists. In this role, she provides leadership and oversight of the Academy's child health policy and health equity portfolios.
Dr. Ellison is a proud graduate of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program and has been recognized in the CHOP and Penn community for her excellence in teaching, mentorship, and advocacy as a recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at Penn, the Joanne Decker Memorial Mentor Award at CHOP and the Iris Reyes Champion of Diversity Award from the Alliance of Minority Physicians at CHOP and Penn.
Her greatest joy in life has been raising her two amazing sons, Xavier and Langston, alongside her wonderful husband, Serge. In her free time, she can be found relaxing with her family at one of their favorite island destinations or bird watching the Philadelphia Eagles (Go Birds!).
George Dalembert, MD, MSHP
Attending Physician, Assistant Professor
George Dalembert, MD, MSHP is an attending physician in the Division of General Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the Associate Director for the CHOP Center for Health Equity; a Faculty Scholar at the CHOP PolicyLab; and a Senior Fellow of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics. He serves as an Associate Program Director for the CHOP Pediatrics Residency Program and Director of the Leadership in Equity, Advocacy, and Pediatrics (LEAP) residency track. As founding Director of CHOP’s Medical Financial Partnership, he tackles poverty through innovative, cross-sector collaborations to address family needs. His academic and research areas of interest are grounded in a passion for advancing health equity and include adolescent health and increasing patient/family engagement in the primary care setting.
Abass M. Noor, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiology, Director and Endowed Chair of Global Radiology Outreach & Education
Abass Noor, MD is an attending radiologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He serves as the Director and Endowed Chair of Global Radiology Outreach & Education. He is actively involved in international outreach through RAD-AID International, where he served as the inaugural Director for the RAD-AID Botswana Program and is currently the Director the RAD-AID Ethiopia Program. He has authored peer-reviewed publications on global radiology, imaging informatics, and pediatric imaging, and is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences His leadership roles include committee appointments with the National Medical Association, Society for Pediatric Radiology, American College of Radiology, and American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Noor’s clinical and academic interests center on adult and pediatric cardiovascular imaging, global health equity, and medical education.
Vanessa Denny, MD, MS
Attending, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Vanessa Denny, MD, MS, is a Pediatric Critical Care Attending Physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her academic and clinical work centers on advancing pediatric critical care delivery in international and resource-limited settings. She has led and participated in global health initiatives across the Caribbean, Central America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Her current research focuses on implementing an innovative tele-simulation training program to improve outcomes in pediatric septic shock in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as developing sustainable, low-bandwidth tele-consultation systems to expand access to pediatric critical care expertise in underserved regions. Dr. Denny’s broader work aims to strengthen sepsis care, reduce global health disparities, and advance equitable critical care delivery worldwide. She is also deeply committed to mentoring students and trainees and shaping the next generation of global critical care physicians.
Yehoda M. Martei MD, MSCE
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Vice Chief of Global Oncology, Hematology-Oncology Division, University of Pennsylvania.
Dr Yehoda Martei is a medical oncologist, an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Vice Chief of Global Oncology, in the Hematology-Oncology Division at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). She is a global health scholar at the Center for Global Health and a Senior Fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Botswana. Her research focuses on access to cancer medicines, and implementation strategies for eliminating global disparities in breast cancer outcomes by optimizing high quality breast cancer therapy delivery in low-resource settings.
She has served in scientific advisory roles for the Union for International Cancer Research, World Health Organization, and the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition. Dr. Martei obtained her undergraduate and medical degree at Harvard and Yale respectively. She completed her Internal Medicine training at University of California San Francisco, and Hematology-Oncology fellowship and Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology.
Angela T. Anderson, M.D.
Attending Physician, Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
Dr Angela T Anderson is originally from Denver, CO and was reared by her grandparents She attended Tufts University (Boston, MA) and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biomedical Engineering Systems. Post undergrad, she spent one year as a Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was then nominated to attend the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMS) Post-Baccalaureate Program at the University at Buffalo which led to her subsequent admission at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, NY). Post medical training, she completed a residency in Pediatrics at the New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia Medical Center/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital Following Pediatrics training, she completed the Post Pediatric Portal Program in Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and University of Pennsylvania.
Currently, Dr. Anderson is an Attending Physician in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS) at CHOP working specifically on the Child Psychiatry Consult Liaison Service She is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Co-Chair and founder of the DCAPBS Committee for Excellence in Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy, DCAPBS PR Liaison for Mental Health, an Executive Board Member and Medical Student Outreach Faculty Advisor for the Alliance of Minority Physicians and serves as the Co-Chair of the National Medical Association’s Council on Concerns of Women Physicians (CCWP). Dr. Anderson is passionate about clinical care, medical education, mentoring, recruitment, community outreach and engagement Dr Anderson’s current clinical interests include working with youth with depressive disorders and/or trauma and stressor related disorders. Dr. Anderson believes “it takes one person to change someone’s life for the better.”
Renee Volny Darko, DO, MBA, FACOG
Corporate Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer Pre-med Strategies, Inc., Equal Access Health
Dr Renée Volny Darko graduated from Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine and earned her Masters of Business Administration from Rockhurst University. She served as SNMA's National Premedical Board Member and is SNMA Chairperson of the Board of Directors Emeritus. After completing her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Dr. Darko completed the Health Policy Leadership Fellowship at the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Satcher Health Leadership Institute. She then served as Interim Associate Director of the fellowship. Since 2011, she has participated in medical missions to Ghana with the International Health Care Volunteers Dr Darko co-hosts the popular podcast, Docs Outside the Box with her husband, Nii Darko. She is a best-selling author of the children's book, How Good Ol' Dr. V Came to Be. She is an international speaker and has been featured in multiple media outlets.
Of all of her experiences, Dr. Darko is most proud of the family life that she has built with her husband and two sons
Abike James, MD, MPH
Professor, Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology & Vice Chair, Academic Excellence and Community Engagement
Dr. Abike James is a Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology and Vice Chair for Academic Excellence and Community Engagement in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine, along with a Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. James completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UPMC Presbyterian before joining the Penn faculty in August 2001.
Dr. James also serves as the Clinical Director of Women’s Health for Ambulatory Health Services at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Her experiences as both a clinician at Penn and a clinical leader within the Health Department have brought her into direct contact with persistent racial disparities in maternal and neonatal health.
In January 2019, Dr. James co-founded the Penn Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Health Equity Taskforce. In her role as Vice Chair, her priorities include embedding equity, inclusion, and community engagement across the department’s core missions of clinical care, education, and research.
Matt Goldshore, MD, PhD, MPH
Abdominal Transplant Fellow, The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Matt is a pediatric surgeon and transplant surgery fellow with a deep commitment to health equity. He earned his medical degree alongside a PhD in social epidemiology, where his research focused on life course theory and the ways socioeconomic factors shape long-term outcomes for women and children. After completing general surgery residency at the Penn Medicine, he trained in pediatric surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where he developed expertise in complex pediatric and neonatal surgery, and went on to pursue advanced fellowship training in abdominal transplant surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His academic work is focused on dismantling barriers in access to surgical care, with a special focus on vulnerable and underserved populations. Matt's vision to build programs that deliver technically excellent care while addressing the social determinants of health. Dr. Goldshore aims to transform pediatric transplant centers into models for both clinical innovation and equitable access.
Houston C. Roberson
Member Recruitment Coordinator - NMDP
Houston C. Roberson graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a BS in Public Relations. As a native of Philadelphia, PA and former employee at CHOP in the Blood & Marrow Transplant Program, he returns to CHOP to educate SNMA’s student leaders on the importance of leadership through health advocacy. Houston currently works as a Member Recruiter Coordinator for NMDP where he serves Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia.
