Onajite (Ona) Ifie– BS in Biology-Physiology from UW Seattle
Cofounder and Executive Director of AIM Towards Positive Change (2025-26), Founder and former President of Africans in Medicine (2023-24)
I co-founded AIM Towards Positive Change Mentorship program with like-minded individuals to create a supportive community for underrepresented students looking to go into the medical field. Our mission is to provide the mentorship and professional skills necessary to help these students succeed as health professionals and leaders. Early in my pre-medical journey, I struggled to find the mentorship and resources I needed, which inspired me to ensure others wouldn’t face the same challenges. Through initiatives like AIM Towards Positive Change, I have had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in our local community while advancing our goal of diversifying the field of medicine.
Career Goals: I aspire to become a physician scientist, dedicating my skills and practice to underserved and under-resourced communities both in the U.S. and internationally. One of my goals is to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by individuals with sickle cell disease, a condition that deeply impacts many in Nigeria, my country of origin, including members of my own family. Highlighting health conditions that disproportionately affect people of color is a vital step toward improving health equity and outcomes, and I am committed to being a part of that change.
Fun fact: I love to do creative writing when I have free time. When I was younger, I entered a writing contest and wrote a 30,000 word fantasy book!
Lina Le– BA in Healthcare Leadership from UW Tacoma
Director of Outreach and Recruitment (Seattle) (2025-26)
I joined the AIM Mentorship program to be part of making a positive impact in the community and to get more involved in meaningful work. I’ve always been interested in the healthcare field and through my academic experiences and learning from healthcare leaders, I discovered that I’m drawn to the nonclinical side of healthcare. Outside of work and school, I enjoy taking walks, playing card games, and listening to music!
Career Goals: I aspire to work in Healthcare Information Management and Public Health.
Fun Fact: Outside of work and school, I enjoy taking walks, playing card games, and listening to music!
Sukhman Bains– BS in Biochemistry from EWU
Co-Director of Outreach and Recruitment (Eastern Washington) (2025-26)
I joined the program as the Director of Outreach and Recruitment. I recently graduated with a degree in Biochemistry and am currently working on several clinical research projects. I joined this program because I’m passionate about connecting people to opportunities that help them grow in healthcare and research.
Career Goals: I aspire to pursue a career in medicine
Fun Fact: I love to go on hikes!
Stephanie Sherman– BS in Biology and Physiology from UW Seattle
Director of Mentor and Mentee Relations (2025-26)
I joined the AIM Mentorship Program because I’m passionate about ensuring the future of healthcare is inclusive, that voices are uplifted, and everyone can reach their potential (patient and healthcare professional alike). I see the importance of diversity in providing high-quality patient care in my current role every day, and I am dedicated to fulfilling this mission throughout my life and career.
Career Goals: I have been working as a Certified Medical Assistant in the Clinical Trials Unit at Fred Hutch, and am applying to medical school for the 2026 cycle. My favorite part about my job is celebrating milestones with my patients, learning about the incredible research we conduct, and performing hands-on procedures like IV placement and injections. I would love to work in a field where I can develop long-term patient relations and get to know my patients holistically to provide care that suits their lifestyles and health outcomes best.
Fun Fact: I lived in Dubai for 8 years!
Hope Thompson– BS in Biology-Physiology with a minor in Bioethics from UW Seattle
Mentor and Mentee Relations Coordinator (2025-26)
I joined AIM Mentorship program because I am passionate about healthcare and believe everyone deserves a chance to explore a career in this field. Mentorship is critical when going into healthcare because it is such a long and challenging process, which is why I am so excited to be a part of this team.
Career Goals: I aspire to become either an MD or DO focusing either on emergency medicine or gynecology. My passions truly lie in ensuring safe and empathetic care for women/persons with uteruses, ensuring autonomy and respect is upheld.
Fun Fact: I am very competitive and love to spend my free time playing volleyball or card games with family and friends
Manavi Manjunath– Freshman, Intended Neuroscience Major at UW Seattle
Media and Communications Coordinator (2025-26)
Hey! I am Manavi. I joined AIM Mentorship as a Communications Coordinator because I want to help bridge the knowledge gap that exists in the healthcare system today. I am passionate about medicine because being able to heal others and cause a real and profound impact on someone’s life is what I want my life’s work to be about. Outside of medicine, I enjoy meeting new people and building new connections.
Career Goals: I aspire to pursue a career in medicine, especially in the fields of neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery.
Fun Fact: I can speak three languages – Kannada, Hindi, and English!
Jeremy Judahbram– Junior, Majoring with a focus on Pre-Health/Pre-Dental at UW Seattle
Programming and Events Coordinator (2025-26)
I joined the AIM Towards Positive Change Mentorship Program because I wanted to allow underrepresented students to receive guidance from someone who looks like them. At the University of Washington, a predominantly white institution, it can be easy for students of color or those from underrepresented communities to feel lost and uncertain about their abilities. AIM Towards Positive Change provides students with the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive
Career Goals: I want to become a healthcare professional, specifically in dentistry, because I grew up rarely seeing people like me in healthcare. My goal is to be that inspiration to a kid who didn’t think they could become a doctor or pursue higher education.
Fun Fact: My interests are soccer, roller skating, and spending time with friends and family.
AIM Towards Positive Change Mentorship Program 