Team & Cohorts

The DOF Team

Committed To Making Real Change

Board Members

Dotun Ogunyemi - Founder/President - Board Director

Dotun Ogunyemi, MD is a physician with expertise and leadership roles in medical education, patient safety and quality improvement, and diversity, inclusion, equity, and anti-racist education. He obtained his MD degree from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; completed a residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology (OBGYN) at King Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, and a Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship (MFM) at David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. To facilitate the reduction of health disparities and improve healthcare workforce diversity, he is focused on developing pipeline programs for underrepresented and disadvantaged students to matriculate into healthcare professions and innovative workshops to create equitable fair work & learning environment, to improve resilience and wellbeing. He is a certified emotional intelligence coach and has published on the topic. He is a Christian and is involved in his local church.

Nathaniel Sugiyama - Vice President - Board Director

Dr. Nathaniel I. Sugiyama is currently an Anesthesiology resident at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Nathaniel completed his bachelors of science at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business and graduated from medical school at the University of Vermont. Prior to medical school, he co-founded a biotechnology company focused on developing an oxygen carrying biologic resuscitation drug for use in traumas and served as a business manager for a private medical practice in Los Angeles, CA. Nathaniel grew up in Los Angeles, CA and looks forward to giving back to the communities that contributed so much to his experience. Interests include patient safety, quality improvement, healthcare system innovation, biotechnology, population health and spending time outdoors and with loved ones.

Arthurine Zakama, M.D. - Director of National Pathway Program & Medical Student Support - Board Director

Dr. Arthurine K. Zakama is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her undergraduate education at Vanderbilt University, her medical degree at Duke University, and her OBGYN residency at UC-San Francisco. She is passionate about serving underserved populations locally and globally, health equity through the lens of reproductive justice, and mentorship with a focus on students underrepresented in medicine.

Sophia Barrett, PsyD - Board Director

Dr. Sophia Barrett earned her Bachelor’s of Arts (B.A.) in psychology and criminal justice from Siena College, a Master’s of Science (M.S.) in forensic mental health from The Sage College of Albany, and a Master’s of Art (M.A.) and a Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in DC. As part of her graduate training, Dr. Barrett formal practica in clinical and forensic psychology, specifically in inpatient and outpatient settings in the Metropolitan area of DC. Her internship in inpatient acute care was completed at the Behavioral Wellness Center in Philadelphia. She completed her post-doctoral training in forensic psychology at Forum Ohio, a group private practice in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Barrett has experience in conducting a wide range of forensic assessments and therapeutic treatment to adult and adolescent populations, including cognitive behavioral, trauma-focused, personality and mood disorders. She has professional and research interests in area of the provisions of mental health services to the severely mentally ill in communities of color and in institutionalized settings, such as corrections and hospitalizations. Dr. Barrett is currently licensed in California, working in outpatient adult care and academia.

Amir Teixeira - Associate Director of Community Engagement & Student Support - Secretary - Board Director

Amir Teixeira is a 4th year medical student at the California University of Science and Medicine
in Colton, CA. He is from Compton, CA, is the youngest of 5 brothers, and is the first in his family to go to college. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology from UCLA and then continued on to get 2 Master’s degrees in Biomedical Science and Public Health with an emphasis in Urban Health Disparities from the Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA. He is an Inland Empire Health Plan Scholar, and an Area Health Education Center Health Equity scholar. He plans to specialize in Emergency Medicine to be an advocate for health equity in high acuity situations.

Clarence Sams - Treasurer - Board Director

Clarence Sams is a medical student at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and
Science—College of Medicine. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Sams is a University of
Maryland, Baltimore County alum with a bachelor's degree in biology. In 2022, Sams founded the SSE ME mentoring program geared towards matching high school and college students with experts in student's fields of interest. Sams is also the founder and president of the CDU MD Dermatology Interest Group. His academic research focuses on dermatological-related scar formations prevalent in minority skin types. As a Stanford University REACH HBMC scholar he now works with Stanford’s Dermatology Department on research into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is impacting the field of Dermatology, publishing in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Staff

Breauna Spencer, PhD - Program Director

Dr. Breauna Marie Spencer is a five-time alumna of UC Irvine, holding two Bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Education Sciences, two Master's degrees in Sociology and Demographic and Social Analysis, and a Ph.D. in Sociology. Dr. Spencer has held several prestigious roles, including Inaugural Director of Programs at Black in AI, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Stanford University’s Computer Science Department, and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Stanford’s Graduate School of Education. She has also worked as a Research Fellow at Google, WestEd, and the National GEM Consortium, and as a Lecturer at Loyola Marymount University, UC Irvine, and American Baptist College. Dr. Spencer’s award-winning research focuses on improving the mental health, well-being, and coping strategies of undergraduate and graduate students in STEM programs. Her work has been published in leading journals, such as the Journal of Women and Minorities in Science & Engineering, Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, and Sociological Forum.

Eduardo Arellano

Operations Officer

Elias Geronimo De Leon

Pathway Coordinator

Maxwell Okunola, MD

Associate Director of Medical Students Programming and Mentoring

Isaiah Hoffman, MS

Associate Director for Mentoring, High School Support and Grants

Drew Richard, MS

Associate Director of Community Engagement & Support

Fatimatou Saka, MS

Associate Director of Community Engagement & Supports

Muhammad Mukarram, MS

Associate Director of Student Assessments

Adebayo Awokoya, MS

Associate Director of Advising & Counseling

Luisa Espericueta, MS

Counseling & Coaching Advisor

Olumide Ojo, MS

Premed Needs Assessment Evaluator

Stephen Kamau, MS

Premed Needs Assessment Evaluator

Bria Mayes

High School Program Coordinator

The DOF Foundation is dedicated to supporting and empowering students at every stage of their educational journey, from high school through medical school. With a primary focus in Los Angeles, we extend our resources nationwide to ensure that all students have access to the opportunities they need to succeed. Our mission is to recognize and uplift students for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to becoming compassionate physicians within their communities. Through scholarships, mentorship, and community-driven initiatives, we are proud to help shape the next generation of healthcare leaders.

High School Cohort

Scholar's Name

Education

Madissyn

Adrian

Ashlee

Jalon

Christopher

Julius

Bryauna

James

Christmas

Williams

Gomez

Sims

Diai

Hernandez

Hill

Ehrlich-Bell

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King Drew Magnet High School

Palisades Charter High School

Bravo Medical Magnet School
High School Graduation 2023
DOF Class Of 3rd Quarter, 2021

Chris Ajanel

Izel Citali Vazquez

Bravo Medical Magnet School
High School Graduation 2024
DOF Class Of 2nd Quarter, 2022

Jazmin Moran

Emalee Campos-Mendez

Bravo Medical Magnet School
High School Graduation 2023
DOF Class Of 3rd Quarter, 2021

Bravo Medical Magnet School
High School Graduation 2026
DOF Class Of 2nd Quarter, 2022

Amelia Briones

Steven A Orantes-Rodriguez

Bravo Medical Magnet School
High School Graduation 2023
DOF Class Of 3rd Quarter, 2021

Bravo Medical Magnet School
High School Graduation 2024
DOF Class Of 2nd Quarter, 2022

Ashley Alva

Ivanna Gutierrez Casillas

Bravo Medical Magnet School
High School Graduation 2022
DOF Class Of 3rd Quarter, 2021

Bravo Medical Magnet School
DOF Class Of 2nd Quarter, 2022

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Airee Claudia Lenna Mcadory

12th Grade

Melanie Sanchez

11th Grade

Eddie Ogunyemi

Downtown Business Magnet School
High School Graduation 2024
DOF Class Of 2nd Quarter, 2021

Christell Pelico

12th Grade

Neuroscience & Surgery

Carlos Simbala

Warren High School
High School Graduation 2024
DOF Class Of 4th Quarter, 2022

Ashley Davis

12th Grade

Kiera Danielle Wright

Estela Cristina Rosado

10th Grade

Karisma Eunique Coleman

12th Grade

Christell Pelico

11th Grade

Events and Details of program:

Each student has been paired with a mentor and engage in monthly calls.

Orientation, Introduction of Mentors, & Emotional Intelligence Workshop on August 21st.

Mentoring & Enrichment workshop, with presentation on conflict resolution on September 25th

Check-in & Goal setting event on October 30th

Community Engagement in healthcare setting scheduled for November 2021

Ongoing Wellness checks of pathway students using perceived stress scale surveys, followed by implementation of stress reducing strategies.

Monthly check-ins take place by Pathway Coordinator

Setting of Individualized action plans.

Scholarship support planned.

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The current cohorts comprises high-school students, community college students, and a post-bacc student.

High School and College Cohorts

California State University, Los Angeles
Premed Cohort

Scholars

Madison

Christopher

Sandra

Bryan

Xiuhnel

Elias

Eduardo

Cytlaly

Rebecca

Daniel

Jenifer

Princesa

Victoria

Rachell

Nazaret

Clark

Cordoba

Dominguez

Chavez

Zein

Geronimo De Leon

Arellano

Estrada

Escatel

Hernandez

Ruiz

Barajas

Holguin

Gonzalez

Sanchez Huerta

Charles R. Drew University
Premed Cohort

Scholars

Nya Imani

Karina

Alan Martin

Morgan

Tatum Elaine

Jedidiah

Zoe Isabella

Sullivan

Gabriela

Destiny

Daniel

Daisy

Hanna

Bailey S.

Anyela

Arielle

Brianna

Clarissa

Cydnee

Brenda

Adebade

Bria

Hall

Manuel-Jimenez

Salgado

Thompson

Cravens

Ndam Muyah Manna

Dantzler

Salone

Linarez

Salcido Barrientos

Hernandez

Aguirre

Ghamsari

Moore

Saa

McGlone

Claverie

Bustamante Lopez

Charles

Castaneda

Llori

Fielder

Monica

Madison

Stevi

Margo

Emily Lee

Summer

Bria

Edith

Erika

Darlene

Quiana

Damaris

Broq

Roxana

Jesus

Louis

Joanna

Jordan

Kimberly

Morgan

Nia

Rodriguez

Lavergne

Collins

Contreras

Woodcock

Jackson

Mayes

Soto

Davis

Jones

Cooks

Guevara

James

Ramirez-Huerta

Terrazas Jr.

Maxwell

Plascencia

Alvira

Uehisa

Thompson

Harper

UCLA
Premed Cohort

Scholars

Lota

Cameron

Sophia

Jackeline

Divine

Jessica

Allesha

Mai

Zaia

Afnan

Kamea

Spencer

Raiya

Abisola

Margaret

Jaden

Aniyah

Ezinne

Brooke

Lucia

Nicole

Uyanwume

Bussey

Kyama

Rodriguez

Ford

Ujukwu

Sheppard

Polk

Hammond

Gabir

Wilson

Rosant

Vitela

Afun

Sasere

Shuler

Story

Okonkwo

Fields

Osuji

Friday

Summer

Serena

Ashley

Chloe

Malajia Unique

Rebecca

Ayomide Serah

Khoa

Maryan

Blayne

Jessica Rafaat

Divine Mercy

Amaria Rae

Patience

Dakota Jackson

Khadijat Olayinka

Eva Adofoah

Faith Janae

Hadassah

Chloe

Parr

Cross

Fakolujo

Reese

Wilson

Usigbe

Akintola

Tran

Osman

Tamrat

Gebraeel

Adeboye

Waters

Akok

Spencer

Solebo

Yiadom

Wiggins

Pegues

Reese

Premed Cohorts

Scholar's Name

Yeipyang

Leonardo

Maryan

Desirae

Dayana

Autumn

Hassan

Judith

Xiomara

Evelyn

Jenee

Chibueze

Grace

Judelca

Georgina

Michelle

Aundre

Benewaa

Kaylin

Devon-Jaron

Niat

KenJonae

Lentz

Khiara

Stefanie

Elizabeth

Joy

Jessica

Alexander

Mowa

Jose

Daisy

Francess

Nageen

Ediomo

Bryant

Eddie

Lois Sarah

Hana

Jada

Jennifer

Chris

Ramon

Chloe

Sasha

Mowa

Regina

Sharese

Kwa

Munoz

Guzman

Carrillo

Calderon

Price

Elreda

Chavez

Barillas

Aldana

Wilson

Udo

Bondzie

Rodriguez

Akpabio

Ferreyra

Price

Akosua

Wooley

Irvin

Habtemariam

Wallick

Lefevre

Worrel

Rimpel

Bamishaye

Morounfolu

Allagoa

Nunnery

Oyebamiji

Avila

Lezo

Odibo

Seddiqi

Umanah

Crook

Ogunyemi

Kablan

Roble

Hansen

Ajanel

Alcaraz

Watkins

Hussain

Oyebamiji

Bruce

Arzu

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Education

Bryn Mawr College

California State University, Channel Islands

California State University, Long Beach

California University of Science and Medicine

College of Health Sciences, University of UYO, Nigeria

East Los Angeles Community College

Florida Memorial University

Howard University

Howard University/Rutgers School of Graduate Studies

John Hopkins University

Keck Graduate Institute

Morehouse School of Medicine

North Carolina Agricultural and Technological State University

Oswego State University of New York

San Francisco State University

Texas A&M University

Texas Southern University

Texas Tech University

The University of Texas at Austin

UCLA College Extension

University of California, Berkley

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Merced

University of California, Riverside

University of California, San Diego

University of Central Florida

University of Southern California

University of Texas at Austin

University Prep Academy High School

West Los Angeles Community College

Georgina Akpabio

California University of Science and Medicine
Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Program
DOF Class Of 4th Quarter, 2022

Chibueze Udo

California University of Science and Medicine
Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Program
DOF Class Of 4th Quarter, 2022

Chibueze Udo

Grace Bondzie

California University Of Sciences and Medicine
Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Program
DOF Class Of 4th Quarter, 2022

Jada G. Hanson

University of California, Riverside
College Graduation 2025
DOF Class of 4th Quarter, 2022

Judelca Rodriguez

California University of Science and Medicine
Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Program
DOF Class Of 4th Quarter, 2022

Angela Ogbogu

University of California, Riverside
College Graduation 2024
DOF Class of 4th Quarter, 2022

Jenee Wilson

California University of Science and Medicine
Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) Program
DOF Class Of 4th Quarter, 2022

I really appreciate DOF for all the clinical opportunities we get! I truly believe these opportunities are very hard to come by without the guidance and support of an organization like DOF. It has even motivated me to get more involved in taking the extra mile to increase my networking and reach at my university to get more opportunities like the one DOF provides!

Angela Ogbogu

DOF gave me the opportunity to do research and volunteer at health screening events that I probably would not have come across if i wasn’t a part of the foundation. The mentorship is great and I feel it has really prepared me to be a successful medical student and doctor in the future. Through DOF I have been given help with finding work in clinical jobs and have also become better prepared for the MCAT through their tutoring program.

Jenee Wilson

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science
Medical Student Cohort