Twelve Medical Students Selected for Inaugural Dean’s Scholars Program
September 18, 2025
MSU College of Human Medicine has selected its first cohort of students for the Dean’s Scholars Program. The new scholarship program engages students in scholarly work beyond the traditional curriculum through structured mentorship, community outreach and advocacy.
Twelve students were selected for the inaugural program for their exceptional academic achievement, leadership and commitment to community service. Scholars will receive in-state tuition for the remainder of their medical training at MSU College of Human Medicine, up to 11 semesters total.
- Fourth-Year Scholars: Jake Haver, Nishika Patel, Yasser Almansour
- Third-Year Scholars: Blaine Teahan, Lanah Almatroud, Thomas Kelbel
- Second-Year Scholars: Elizabeth Phelps, Farid Alsabeh, Kimberly Forman
- First-Year Scholars: Esha Elahi, Kate George, Priya Vijayakumar
“These scholars are charged to lead with purpose, serve with compassion, and help build a healthier, more equitable future,” said Karen Kelly-Blake, PhD, director of the Dean’s Scholars Program.
During the program, they’ll serve as ambassadors for the college by engaging with alumni and donors at events. With a focus on advocacy, they’ll also become meaningful partners within local organizations by contributing to public health and policy initiatives across the state.
“We envision scholars not only learning from communities but actively contributing to their well-being,” said Kelly-Blake.
As the program continues, three students will be selected annually to participate in the program throughout all four years of medical school.
For additional information on supporting student scholarships, contact the College of Human Medicine Office of Advancement at chmdevelopment@msu.edu.
Meet the Scholars
Yasser Almansour, M4
Flint
"My ultimate "why" comes from the communities that put me in the position I am in—my hometown of Flint and my homeland of Syria. I aspire to give back by addressing disparities locally and helping rebuild a fractured healthcare system abroad, carrying forward the responsibility to serve as a compassionate physician leader."
Leadership Experience
- President, Medical Missions Coordinator for Syrian American Medical Society
- VP Otolaryngology Interest Group
- President of NAAMA NextGen, President Muslim Students Association
Lanah Almatroud, M3
Lansing
Lanah Almatroud is an M3 passionate about research and community service, with a focus on cancer and underserved populations. She hopes to be a physician-leader who advances equity by expanding access to cancer prevention, treatment, and compassionate care.
Leadership Experience
- Founder and President of BridginGaps Organization
- Medical Translator and Native Speaker Lead
- VP American Medical Women's Association
- Founder and Co-President of Serving the Underserved Student Organization
Farid Alsabeh, M2
Grand Rapids
"My ultimate goal as a future physician is to develop paradigms of health care that integrate both mental and physical health. I’ve applied my training in psychotherapy to address the psychosocial needs of patients through organizations like Gilda’s Club, and I hope to continue doing this work as a physician leader."
Leadership Experience
- Psychotherapist
- Speaker at Gilda's Club
- Writer for GLPG, KevinMD, and the Michigan Daily.
Esha Elahi, M1
Grand Rapids
"I aspire to be a physician who uses my position to advocate for my community with respect to health outcomes and access. As a Dean’s Scholar, I hope to learn how to intertwine the practice of medicine with the art of conducting legislative work that focuses on improved health for all."
Leadership Experience
- President, VP, Chair of Mu Epsilon Delta
- Michigan Health and Hospital Association Public Policy Fellow
- HerCampus Featured Writer
Kimberly Forman, M2
East Lansing
"I am an MD/MBA student at the College of Human Medicine whose eight years as a paramedic, including service as a flight paramedic, inspired my commitment to health equity and systems-level change. At CHM, I serve as co-president of both the Emergency Medicine Interest Group and the Business in Healthcare Association, and I volunteer with Spartan Street Medicine, where I work to advance mentorship, leadership, and community service as part of my goal to bridge frontline patient care with the broader systems that shape health outcomes."
Leadership Experience
- Critical Care Paramedic; Flight Paramedic
- tutor/TA for paramedic program
- President Business in Healthcare Association
- Co-President of the Emergency Medicine Interest Group and US Army Healthcare Specialist
- Fundraising Chair for APAMSA
Kate George, M1
Grand Rapids
"I aspire to be a physician-leader grounded in equity, dignity, clinical excellence, and rigorous scientific inquiry. As a Dean’s Scholar, I aim to develop the skills to design and implement innovative programs and research that broaden access, improve outcomes, and foster dialogue around often-overlooked or stigmatized health issues, such as female fertility and opioid-use disorders."
Leadership Experience
- Resource Distribution and Education Chair for the Lookout Project
- Haiti and Africa Relief Team Volunteer (Nominations Commitee for the Board of Directors)
- Facilitator in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center
Jake Haver, M4
Grand Rapids
"I want to give sick people hope that they have better days ahead! I believe compassionate healthcare is a fundamental human right, and I am committed to leading by example in my future practice. Beyond individual patient care, I aim to advocate for a more equitable healthcare system that supports both patients and the dedicated professionals who care for them."
Leadership Experience
- Neurosurgery research
- Research that expanded the national Organ Procurement and Transplantation
- Congressional Lobbying for healthcare equity
Thomas Kelbel, M3
Traverse City
"With a foundation in public health, I'm driven to look beyond the clinic to understand how people live, recover, and thrive. As a future physician leader, I hope to build a career in physical medicine and rehabilitation—advocating for individuals with disabilities, promoting adaptive sports, and helping redefine recovery as a path to renewed purpose, independence, and joy."
Leadership Experience
- Co-Founded/Co-President of the Sports Medicine Interest Group
- President of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Student Interest Group and Executive Member of the Wilderness Medicine Interest Groups
- Advocate for accessible medicine and athletic prosthetics
- Leadership in Rural Medicine certificate program
Nishika Patel, M4
Grand Rapids
"As a future physician leader, I carry with me the resilience of my family’s journey, lessons learned from the communities I serve, and a deep commitment to using my skills and privilege to uplift others. Leadership, to me, means creating opportunities for everyone to grow through empathy, mentorship and advocacy."
Leadership Experience
- Co-President of the Pediatrics Interest Group, President of the Cardiology Student Interest Group, Co-President of the Internal Medicine Interest Group
- Concentric Culture Partner for Treetops Collective
- Education Chair of Global Health Interest Group, Co-President of South Asian Medical Student Association
- Council on Diversity Education
Elizabeth Phelps, M2
East Lansing
"Rooted in my rural Michigan upbringing, my ongoing work in peer mental health, rural health policy, and street medicine reflects my passion for equitable, community-centered care. As a Dean's Scholar and a future rural primary care physician-leader, I am committed to advancing access to quality healthcare for all, regardless of zip code or income. "
Leadership Experience
- Soldier and Family Readiness Group volunteer
- Co-president of the Christian Medical and Dental Association
- presentations regarding cancer risk and prevention
- Student partner of college health and wellness team
- Leadership in Rural Medicine certificate program.
Blaine Teahan, M3
Lansing
"My chief aspiration as a physician is simple—to provide competent, comprehensive, and truly accessible primary care to the people of Lansing, all built upon caring relationships. This work will necessarily include advocating on behalf of my patients for the conditions that support their wellbeing. Over time, I hope to pass these values on by teaching future physicians."
Leadership Experience
- Research Coordinator for Spartan Street Medicine
- Co-President of the Family Medicine Interest Group, Teaching Assistant at MSU CHM
- Helped re-launch the CHM chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association
- Organized and captain CHM intramural soccer team
Priya Vijayakumar, M1
Grand Rapids
"I want health education to be accessible and available so patients can advocate for themselves and their communities better. I hope to do this through health journalism and public policy. I am excited to be a part of the Dean's scholar program so I can learn additional skills and gain hands-on experiences as a medical student to support my aspirations for becoming a physician leader."
Leadership Experience
- Health and Science Reporting for State Public Radio
- Berkeley Free Clinic
- Worked on prototyping assistive technology for Essential Tremor and producing medical-grade saline from hospital tap water.
Media Contact | Emily Linnert