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IN THIS ISSUE
EHL NEWSLETTER: OCTOBER
by [The National Newsletter Committee]
The National Newsletter
Committee serves to
provide all of our
chapters more insight on
what EHL does, what
opportunities are
available, what sister
chapters and
organizations are
working on, and finally a
sense of community.
This is to enhance the
efforts and sustainability
of the Emerging
Healthcare Leaders. The
organization’s purpose is
to unify all aspiring
healthcare professionals
amongst professional
development, service,
and leadership through
common monthly
themes that will, in turn,
better themselves and
community.
This issue will provide our
members insight on our
monthly theme of
October, Cancer
Awareness.
Who are we?
Learn what Emerging Healthcare Leaders do and what it
means to be a member.
A Message from the Founder
The National EHL board is proud to present the first ever
Emerging Healthcare Leaders Conference, a two-day
interactive and aspiring program that is surely going to
be incredible.
EMERGING HEALTHCARE LEADERS NEWSLETTER | Issue #2
October: Cancer Awareness
October focuses on cancer awareness. Cancer is an
orderly process of growth gone wrong. New cells
grow when they are not needed and old cells do not
die when they should. These abnormal cells divide
without control and can spread to other parts of
the body. There are more than 100 different
cancers, with the leading cancers including
prostate, lung, colon, bladder, and melanomas of
the skin. Despite increased knowledge of cancer,
some common myths for cancer that are not true
are: Eating sugar makes cancer worse; artificial
sweeteners cause cancer; cell phones cause cancer.
It is important to know that cancer is a disease that
develops over time, starting from a young age.
Some ways to reduce or prevent cancer is to avoid
tobacco, eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy
weight with frequent physical activity, and avoid
certain chemical exposures such as pesticides and
dioxins. Thankfully, from research, excellent care in
the health field, and aspiring professionals like
ourselves, 2 in every 3 people diagnosed with
cancer today survive at least five years. Let’s keep
up the passion to defeat cancer!
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EMERGING HEALTHCARE LEADERS NEWSLETTER | Issue #2
GMU Professional Panel Event
As part of the monthly themes for Emerging
Healthcare Leaders we conducted our event
to represent professional development.
EHL at George Mason University had the
opportunity to meet with three professionals
involved in the medical and physician
assistant fields. Sean Kelly, the Admissions
Officer from Georgetown School of Medicine,
Gemma Coasta, the Career Advisor from
Mason’s Pre-Health Career Services, and Jill
Parady, the Volunteer Direction from INOVA
Fair Oaks volunteer services, enlightened
students by providing insight into the
admission process and leadership
opportunities. Sean Kelly delved into what
medical schools typically look for in
applicants such as experience, student
academic history, and personal growth.
Gemma Coasta presented invaluable tips to
boost resumes. Jill Parady explored different
volunteer opportunities and the qualities that
students develop as leaders through
experience, patient interaction, and
consistent service. Overall the students that
attended the professional development event
were able to gain skills to utilize in their
journey into healthcare and networked
personally with these three healthcare
professionals
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EMERGING HEALTHCARE LEADERS NEWSLETTER | Issue #2
First Annual Cancer Awareness Week!
The National EHL Board held their first Cancer Awareness Week this academic year. Each day
from Monday to Friday, EHL chapters held an event with interactive activities to showcase a
particular type of cancer. The goal of the week was to educate the community about the
reality of cancer and to raise money for cancer research. The week was ended by a
commemoration and bonfire social at Brown’s Island in Richmond, Virginia.
EHL Against Cancer Banner
October 20th
To start the week, EHL members and the community were
invited to sign banners with stories from survivors and
relatives battling this disease and also add inspirational
message for patients. These banners will be given to
hospitals to be hung up.
Breast Cancer Bake Sale
October 21st
On Tuesday, EHL put the spotlight on Breast Cancer. Each
chapter held a bake sale with cookies and cupcakes and
will be donating 100 percent of the proceeds to breast
cancer research.
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EMERGING HEALTHCARE LEADERS NEWSLETTER | Issue #2
Lung Cancer Interactive Activity
October 22nd
In order to educate the community about lung cancer,
EHL held a trivia game which included shocking facts
about lung cancer including the fact that it is one of the
most common types of cancers. Students were also able
to compare their lung capacity to that of someone who
suffers from lung cancer, through the use of balloons.
Pediatric Awareness
October 23rd
One of EHL’s main goals for the week is to bring
awareness to pediatric cancers because of its obscurity as
a cancer. In order to bring light to these cancers, EHL held
childhood inspired games that involved surprising facts
about cancers such as leukemia and brain cancer.
Cards for Patients
October 24th
To finish of the week, EHL made cards for cancer
patients which including thoughtful and inspirational
message with wonderful pictures. Each chapter will
donate the cards to a local hospital
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EMERGING HEALTHCARE LEADERS NEWSLETTER | Issue #2
EHL National Commemoration & Bonfire
Social Oct. 24th
To celebrate the success of the first annual Cancer
Awareness Week, EHL national hosted a commemoration
and bonfire social for all EHL chapters and partnerships to
attend that Friday night. Both events were both held at
Brown’s Island in Richmond, Virginia, right by the James
River.
The night started off with a commemoration of all those
who tragically lost their lives to cancer as well as
Mohammed Shaaban, co-founder of EHL, who passed
away last November. Speeches were held by the first
National President, Ravneet Kaur, and the current
national president, Yusra Islam. Shab Chinnakonda,
President of EHL@VCU, gave a speech about Camp
Kessum, a camp specifically for kids whose
parents/guardians have been affected by cancer. After
speeches, attendees were given doves* to release into the
air.
To end our awesome Cancer Awareness Week, we had a
National EHL Commemoration Bonfire Social on Friday,
October 24th! The bonfire social was located at Brown's
Island, near the pipeline and the bonfire itself took place
on the sandy shores of the James River. This was where all
the lovely members of EHL got to make s'mores, tell scary
stories, and best of all, roast "halloweenies!" The event
was to say at the very least, exciting, and you guys can be
sure to expect another bonfire social to be coming up
sometime in the near future!
*doves were actually biodegradable balloons in the shape
of a dove
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EMERGING HEALTHCARE LEADERS NEWSLETTER | Issue #2
The Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy:
Delivering the Promise Conference
October 9th - 10th
The Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy: Delivering the Promise Conference took place on October 9th10th in Bethesda, Maryland, home of the National Institutes of Health. Two of our EHL members, Shabdesh
Chinnakonda and Johnny Nguyen, were able to embark to this amazing conference in order to learn more about
cancer research and more specifically the field of immunology. The conference was broken up into four different
parts: Adoptive Cell Therapies, Genetic Engineering of the Immune Systems, Checkpoint Modulators, and Other
Approaches to Cancer Immunotherapy. Finally at the very end of the conference, we had the Poster Viewing
event which consisted of eighty-four posters total! Below we have questions that Johnny and Shab have
answered to help us get a bigger picture of the conference!
What was your first impression when you got to NIH Headquarters!?

Johnny: "My first impression when I got to NIH Headquarters was the feeling of being overwhelmed
by such an amazing place. The NIH headquarters was huge! Emphasis on huge! I remember when I
was riding on their shuttle bus, the bus had stopped at different buildings called 'Building 42' and
'Building 10'. I assume based on the different buildings Shabdesh and I stopped at, they had at least
forty-two very large buildings."

Shab: "Arriving at NIH with other doctors and researchers was honestly overwhelming, but rewarding.
When we pulled into the lot, we were immediately surrounded by buildings we perceived to be our
future. I could see myself working there or somewhere similar in the future, and that thought to me
was very inspiring. In all honesty, it was dope af."
What did you take away from this conference?

Johnny: "What I took away from the conference, is honestly too much to put into one paragraph. I can
say that I became very interested into the immunology field now. I never knew how much cell biology
ties in with immunology, but now I do! After going to this conference, I am now considering a M.D.Ph.D program that involves researching into immunology and becoming a pediatric oncologist."
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Shab: "After attending this conference, I have considered pursuing a career in research or even taking
a few years off to complete a project. I was able to make many contacts from across the nation. I've
been asking them for advice on how I should continue my career in healthcare. Although I still aspire
to be a surgeon, I've realized that there's more than one path to achieving my goal."
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EMERGING HEALTHCARE LEADERS NEWSLETTER | Issue #2
Meet Your National Vice President: Aiza Humayun
Q: How long have you been working with EHL/what positions have you held?
I have had the privilege of working with EHL in a multitude of ways over the past few years. I began as
member of the General Body here at VCU as a first year. By the end of my first year, I was elected onto the
National Board as Correspondent Secretary. As a third year, I’ve been involved with EHL by serving as the
current National Vice President.
Q: What is a goal you have as the National EHL president?
As National Vice President, I hope to expand EHL’s reach across the nation. I hope to build, along with the EHL
family, a really collaborative, fortified movement that will inspire others to contribute to their local and national
communities just as it has done for me. In addition, as Vice President, I hope to execute our second, very fun,
and successful National Conference this upcoming Spring 2015.
Q: What is a challenge you are currently facing with your position?
A challenge that I’m currently facing is balancing my responsibilities with my academic work. As I am in my third
year in Biomedical Engineering and currently working in an orthopedic research laboratory, school demands a
lot of my time. In addition volunteering and shadowing are also responsibilities that take up my time and
attention. Sometimes juggling these things can be difficult, however I have a really supportive board that helps
to bring a little peace and calm during these moments.
Q: What are your plans after college?
After completing my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering, I plan to attend Medical School in the
near future. The goal is to specialize in Emergency Medicine and become a Trauma Surgeon. EHL has been an
amazing vessel through which I have been able to achieve my academic and career goals and it has allowed me
to really enhance my leadership skills that will be an asset to have after college.
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