Trainees

Current trainees

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  Hazem Attal

  Dentistry

  
  
  

  Hazem Attal

  Dentistry

  Hazem Attal is a third-year graduate student at the WVU School of Dentistry. Originally from Charleston, WV, Hazem earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from WVU, graduating summa cum laude with a minor in Arabic studies. During his undergraduate studies, Hazem developed a strong interest in neuroscience and biomedical research. His research focused on the role of serotonin receptors and their involvement in neurological pathways, contributing to a broader understanding of the mechanisms underlying neural signaling and brain function. Hazem’s academic journey reflects his commitment to scientific inquiry and healthcare. Through his experiences in research and dental education, he continues to build upon his interest in the intersection of biomedical science, neuroscience, and clinical care.

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  Melyn Bachinski

  Audiology

  
  
  

  Melyn Bachinski

  Audiology

  Melyn Bachinski is a graduate student from Follansbee, WV studying to become an audiologist. She graduated from WVU with a Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders and a minor in medical humanities and health studies. Her goal as a LEND trainee is to learn how to better work with families and professionals from different disciplines so she can provide the best care possible for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

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  Chloe Bonifacio

  Pharmacy

  
  
  

  Chloe Bonifacio

  Pharmacy

  Chloe Bonifacio is a pharmacy student with interests in neurology, dermatology, and women's health. She graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with a BS in mathematics-statistics and worked for three years before continuing her graduate education. In pharmacy school, she has served as a pharmacy mentor, an ambassador, as fundraising chairs for the Industry Pharmacist Organization and Student Society of Health-System Pharmacy, and completed research in areas of stroke and brain metastatic breast cancer. Her goals are to provide better resources to her community for individuals with ADHD, autism, and other neuro-developmental disabilities.

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  Janella Camp

  Physician Assistant

  
  
  

  Janella Camp

  Physician Assistant

  Janella Camp is a physician assistant student at WVU and a native of Parkersburg, WV. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology with a minor in psychology, spending two years conducting research through the AGE-ADAR program. She is currently in the final year of her master’s degree, participating in the AHEC Scholars Program, and gaining clinical experience across a variety of medical and surgical specialties, with a particular interest in serving rural and minority communities.

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  Jacob Estep

  Dentistry

  
  
  

  Jacob Estep

  Dentistry

  Jacob Estep is a graduate student from Wheeling, WV studying at the WVU School of Dentistry. He graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH with a BS in biochemistry, where he was actively involved in undergraduate research. His goals for the LEND program are to improve his knowledge of individuals with disabilities and the difficulties they may face when receiving healthcare. He hopes his experience with LEND will assist him in providing more comprehensive and compassionate care in his future practice.

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  Ryan Garland

  Physical Therapy

  
  
  

  Ryan Garland

  Physical Therapy

  Ryan Garland is a graduate student from Roanoke, VA studying to become a physical therapist. He graduated from WVU with a BS in exercise physiology with an emphasis in aquatic therapy. His goals in the LEND program are to learn how to best work with families of children with disabilities and individuals with neurodevelopment disabilities, and how to build skills working with an inter-disciplinary team.

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  Ahleeyah Jackson

  Physician Assistant

  
  
  

  Ahleeyah Jackson

  Physician Assistant

  Ahleeyah Jackson is a graduate student at WVU pursuing a Master of Physician Assistant Studies. Originally from Huntington, WV, she earned her BS in exercise physiology with an emphasis on health professions from WVU, where she was also a member of the WVU Dance Team. During graduate school, she has served as the Diversity Chair for her PA class student government and as a member of AHEC. Through the LEND program, Ahleeyah hopes to strengthen her ability to advocate for and provide compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. She is particularly interested in learning how interdisciplinary collaboration can improve access to care and health outcomes for this population.

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  Trysten Moss

  Law

  
  
  

  Trysten Moss

  Law

  Trysten Moss is a third-year law student from Charleston, WV, pursuing a career as a litigator. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from WVU with a minor in law and legal studies and was a member of the Health Sciences and Technology Academy award. In law school, Trysten is a W.E.B. DuBois Fellow, serves as President of the Black Law Students Association, is a member of the Marlyn Lugar Trial Association, and serves as a student ambassador for the law school. Her goals in the LEND program are to learn about disabilities and their intersection with the legal system, particularly within the criminal law context. She is also interested in studying neurodevelopmental disorders and how medical treatment can help manage symptoms.

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  Sarah Murphy

  Occupational Therapy

  
  
  

  Sarah Murphy

  Occupational Therapy

  Sarah Murphy is a graduate student pursuing a degree in occupational therapy at West Virginia University. She graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelor of Education in special education. She currently serves as the Internal Relations Officer for the Student Occupational Therapy Association at WVU. Through the LEND program, her goals are to expand her knowledge, understanding, and experience in working alongside individuals with disabilities and their families while developing the skills and leadership qualities needed to be a strong advocate.

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  Eliana Paterra

  Physician Assistant

  
  
  

  Eliana Paterra

  Physician Assistant

  Eliana Paterra is a graduate student in WVU’s physician assistant master’s program. She earned her bachelor’s degree from WVU in sport and exercise psychology and was involved in the WVU Physician Assistant Student Society. Her experience as a substitute teacher and her close friend’s experience living with multiple sclerosis have strengthened her commitment to disability accommodations, accessibility, and person-centered care.

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  Ava Pippitt

  Criminology

  
  
  

  Ava Pippitt

  Criminology

  Ava Pippitt is an undergraduate student from Jarrettsville, MD majoring in criminology and minoring in forensic science. She hopes to work in the field of cybercrime, specifically working with victims. She has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and ADHD. Her goal in the LEND program is to learn about various disabilities and how they affect the daily lives of individuals and those around them.

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  Haley Plume

  Speech-Language Pathology

  
  
  

  Haley Plume

  Speech-Language Pathology

  Haley Plume is a graduate student from Kingwood, WV studying to become a speech-language pathologist. She graduated from WVU with a BS in communication sciences and disorders. Her goals in the LEND program are to grow her disability knowledge, learn more about how she can treat her patients, and explore how she can best create a fun and safe environment for both her patients and their families.

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  Cass Stewart

  Occupational Therapy

  
  
  

  Cass Stewart

  Occupational Therapy

  Cass Stewart is a graduate student from Nitro, WV, pursuing a doctorate in occupational therapy. She graduated from WVU with a BS in fashion, dress and merchandising with a minor in disability studies. She continued as a Hazel Ruby McQuain Graduate Scholar and earned an MS in design and merchandising with a certificate in university teaching. Outside of the classroom, Cass advocates for herself and others for disability justice. Cass is a Project Sleep Rising Voices trained speaker, where she shares her patient story of living with Type 1 narcolepsy. She is also passionate about breaking stigma around ADHD and OCD. Her goals in the LEND program are to learn more about building relationships with caregivers, navigating resources for rural families, and continuing to grow as an advocate for people with disabilities.

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  Chloe Telgkamp

  Occupational Therapy

  
  
  

  Chloe Telgkamp

  Occupational Therapy

  Chloe Telgkamp is a graduate student from Cincinnati, OH, studying occupational therapy. She graduated from WVU with a BS in health and well-being. Her goals in the LEND program are to learn more about disability medicine in rural communities, gain experience and skills to become a leader and advocate for future patients, and learn how to incorporate child- and family-centered care during patient treatments.

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  Reagan Wilkinson

  Nutrition and Dietetics

  
  
  

  Reagan Wilkinson

  Nutrition and Dietetics

  Reagan Wilkinson is a graduate student from Bruceton Mills, WV studying nutrition and dietetics. She graduated from WVU with a BS in human nutrition and foods. She has worked with athletics in nutrition and has focused much of her path on sports nutrition. Reagan joined the LEND program to gain experience in different areas of study. Her goals with the program are to learn more about nutrition and how it relates to disabilities, as well as learning how to educate on nutrition in the best way possible.

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  Mone'y Williams

  Law

  
  
  

  Mone'y Williams

  Law

  Mone'y Williams is a third-year law student at the WVU College of Law. She is from Bluefield, WV, and graduated from Marshall University with a bachelor’s in business management, with a concentration in human resources and organizational behavior. In law school, she participates in the Lugar Trial Association and the Black Law Students Association, while serving as a Student Attorney for the General Litigation Clinic. She also interned at the Law Offices of William H. Harding, a personal injury law firm. Her goals in the LEND program are to deepen her understanding of disabilities to better advocate for the people in her community who have been injured and have sustained temporary or permanent disabilities because of the actions of others.

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  Tia Wooding

  Occupational Therapy

  
  
  

  Tia Wooding

  Occupational Therapy

  Tia Wooding is a first-year occupational therapy student. She graduated from Marshall University with a bachelor's in health science. She is one of four children and is from Huntington, WV. In undergrad, Tia served as the secretary in her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. During her free-time, Tia enjoys crocheting, scrapbooking, and anything craft related. Her goals in LEND are to learn more about health literacy and mental health in children and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Alumni

Zachariah Backus
WVU Speech-Language Pathology Student

Zachariah’s goals with the WV LEND program were to learn more about the disability community and how to better work with them and advocate for their needs.

“LEND has added to my program by allowing me to get outside of my comfort zone while working and interacting with students and professionals in a variety of disciplines and programs that I most likely wouldn’t have if I wasn’t a trainee.”

Keerthana Arjuna
WVU Dental Student

Through the WV LEND program, Keerthana hoped to learn how to provide more inclusive care to patients, learn more about the specific challenges that dental treatment may require, and assist in incorporating more disability education into dental training.

“LEND has not only allowed me to better understand what it entails to be a more responsible and inclusive provider, but a better member of my society.”

Jackie Rosiek
WVU Pharmacy Student

As a WV LEND Trainee, Jackie hoped to better understand how to care for patients with disabilities and gain experience working on interprofessional healthcare teams.

“My experience with LEND has shown me that there is a unique role for everyone on an interdisciplinary team. As a pharmacy student, this was a step outside of my normal area of study. However, I have loved being able to represent my area of health care while learning so much from other members of the team.”

Do you feel better prepared for professional work because of your WV LEND program participation?

• “Yes, 1,000%! More comfortable with the disability population and communicating with professionals.”

• “Yes, definitely; helped me prepare for rotations. I had no clinical experience, and this allowed me to prepare and ask questions – especially with people I trust.”

• “Yes, I love the multidisciplinary practice and learning from others.”

• “Way more prepared. I feel like my clinical reasoning skills and my advocacy skills have exploded in the past year. I feel like I have a leg up on my classmates due to this experience.”

• “Yes! Definitely. Not only did I get first-hand experience during a time when I wasn't in clinicals, I got extra knowledge and experiences that my peers did not.”