About Our Team

Our Leadership

Christopher L. Steele, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.

Christopher L. Steele, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.

Dr. Steele is our lead physician at UCHL. Born and raised in Burlington, CT, Dr. Steele graduated with his M.D./M.P.H. from the University of Connecticut and completed his training at Johns Hopkins in internal medicine. He has returned to UConn to become clinical faculty for the medical school and now is course director for the health science and Social Determinant of Health (SDH) curriculum in the 3rd and 4th year of training. Dr. Steele's training is focused on bridging the gaps of the social-determinants of health and high value care. He has published in the literature on this topic and presented internationally. He practices as both a hospitalist and primary care physician in the area.

Henry Siccardi

Henry Siccardi, M.D., M.P.H.

Henry is a student at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Born and raised in Queens, New York before moving to Connecticut as a teenager, Henry originally pursued a career in law. Upon graduating from Fordham University in 2012 he decided to pursue a different path, eventually pivoting to medicine. Since pursuing this path he has worked extensively on community health outreach. As a member and coordinator of the Bronx Community Health Leaders and RA Program in Bridgeport, CT he spent three years leading teams of volunteers providing an array of health outreach programs to patients.

He hopes UCHL will pay forward to students and patients the incredible experiences, opportunities and mentoring from which he benefited in these programs.

Please reach out to me directly at: siccardi@uchc.edu

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Zoha Sarwat, Class of 2024

Zoha is a medical student at the UConn School of Medicine who grew up in South Windsor, CT. She graduated from UConn (double husky!) with a major in Physiology and Neurobiology and minors in Psychology and Sociology. Throughout college, she worked at a pediatrician's office, volunteered at Connecticut Children's, tutored elementary schoolers, and conducted psychology research. Her hobbies include photography and kayaking!

After helping found the program as a Coordinator, Zoha looks forward to continuing to learn more about helping underserved patient populations. As she was so recently in their shoes, she also wants to help pre-health students with their track!

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Erin Cova, Class of 2025

Erin is a medical student at the UConn School of Medicine. She grew up in Southington, CT and attended Brown University where she majored in Biology on the Physiology and Biotechnology Track. In college, Erin joined the varsity women's rugby team as a walk-on and helped plan first year student orientation as a member of Brown University's Orientation Welcoming Committee. Before medical school, she also worked as a medical scribe at multiple Emergency Departments in CT. Erin's favorite place to volunteer in CT is the CT Food Bank.

As a founding member of UCHL, Erin is happy to be able to help provide volunteer and learning opportunities to pre-health students while also contributing to efforts to improve the health of residents of CT. 

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Nivedha Natchiappan, Class of 2025

Nivedha is a medical student at the UConn School of Medicine. She grew up in Avon, CT and graduated from UConn with a major in Healthcare Management and minors in Chemistry and Molecular Cell Biology. In college she spent time mentoring and tutoring elementary schoolers, organizing UConn’s Global Health Symposium, and conducting infectious diseases and health economics research.

Nivedha is excited about helping patients get access to the resources and care they need. She is also looking forward to providing students with unique and impactful opportunities.

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Jake DeFrancesco, Class of 2026

Jake is a medical student at the University of Connecticut and grew up in Meriden, CT. He is a very proud triple husky having attended UConn for his undergraduate, graduate, and now medical degrees. After graduating with a B.S in Neuroscience, he shifted his academic pursuits and enrolled in the UConn School of Public Policy where he received a Master of Public Policy. While attending grad school, he worked as a medical scribe for a urologist and interned with the CT Office of Health Strategy. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Jake can be found hiking and rock climbing.

Having volunteered with UCHL during his undergraduate education, Jake is grateful for the opportunity to continue working to narrow health disparities as part of the UCHL leadership team.

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Julia Quinn, Class of 2026

Julia is a medical student at the UConn School of Medicine. She grew up in Sherman, CT and graduated from UConn with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a minor in Urban and Community Studies. In addition to volunteering with UCHL, in college, Julia spent her free time teaching community health lessons, creating educational opportunities for inner-city students, and caring for the campus population as a medical support assistant at UConn’s Student Health Center. Outside of school, Julia loves to run, water ski, and travel with her friends and family.

Julia is excited to continue working with UCHL to improve patient outcomes by addressing the social determinants of health while providing mentorship and opportunities to pre-health students during the process.

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Maria Katsetos, Class of 2026

Maria is a medical student at the UConn School of Medicine. She grew up in Fairfield, CT and graduated from UConn with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a minor in Spanish. In addition to UCHL, in college she served as the president of UConn Pre-Medical Society, a volunteer through St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services, secretary of UConn Greek Club, and was involved in diabetes/endocrinology research on campus. Her hobbies include painting and cooking!

Maria is delighted to continue working with UCHL to advocate for underserved patients and to provide pre-health students with meaningful and sustainable clinical opportunities.

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Autumn Leavitt, Class of 2027

Autumn is a medical student at the UConn School of Medicine. She grew up in Haddam, CT and attended UConn where she majored in Physiology and Neurobiology. In college, Autumn participated in behavioral neuroscience research and the Big Brother, Big Sisters program. Before medical school, she worked on a research project focused on lung cancer screenings. She also was a substitute teacher in her local school district. When not studying, Autumn enjoys practicing yoga and spending time with her dogs.

Autumn enjoys working with the UCHL leadership team and the volunteers to help patients identify and utilize resources to improve their health.

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Christopher Angus, Class of 2027

Christopher graduated from UConn undergrad in 2022 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and is now a medical student at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine (Class of 2027). He is from Avon, CT and joined UCHL in the Fall of 2020 with the initial goal of expanding the program to the UConn Health Urgent Care and Family Medicine Clinics in Storrs, CT. In addition to UCHL, Christopher led local community service events within the UConn Community Outreach Department and spent his gap year working as a PCA in the Emergency Department at Hartford Hospital. Outside of school, he is a huge Boston sports fan and can be found in attendance at almost every UConn basketball game.

Christopher serves as the Site Director for the Farmington Outpatient clinical site and has a special interest in identifying and addressing health disparities in the communities surrounding UConn. He values the relationships he has been able to build with patients and fellow UCHL team members and hopes future students benefit from the same incredible opportunities.

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Ling Chi, Class of 2027

Ling recently graduated from the University of Connecticut (class of 2022) with a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Computational and Systems Biology. She is from Wethersfield, CT and joined UCHL in the Spring 2020 semester as part of the first cohort. In addition to UCHL, Ling was involved with the leadership team at UConn's student radio station (WHUS Radio). She is currently spending her gap year conducting research in clinical informatics at the Yale School of Medicine and tutoring younger students. Outside of work, she spends time learning guitar and cooking with friends and family.

Ling serves as a Research Coordinator in charge of the Farmington Inpatient clinical site and is passionate about addressing health disparities in our community and learning about social determinants of health. She values the opportunities UCHL has provided to interact with patients and other students and is excited to pay it forward to other pre-health students.

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Lucas Torres, Class of 2027

Lucas recently graduated from the University of Connecticut (class of 2022) with a degree in Physiology and Neurobiology with minors in English and Molecular and Cell Biology. He is from Wethersfield, CT and joined UCHL in the Summer 2021 semester. In addition to UCHL, Lucas was involved as a Resident Assistant at UConn and was an Emergency Department Scribe during his undergraduate career. Currently as a medical student he serves as a Curriculum Evaluation Committee member, Urban Service Track member, and Vice Chair of UConn School of Medicine's AMA Branch.

Lucas currently serves as a Site Coordinator in charge of the Asylum Hill Family Medicine Clinic site.  He is passionate about learning from and helping underserved communities through their social determinants of health. He looks forward to continuing to grow the UCHL program.

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Rose Karvandi, Project Coordinator

Rose graduated from UConn in May 2023 with a degree in Physiology & Neurobiology and a minor in Human Development & Family Sciences (HDFS). She is currently working as a scribe in her gap year and is excited to start as a medical student at the UConn School of Medicine in August 2024.

In college Rose was in the 4th cohort of the BOLD Women’s Leadership Program, in addition to being involved in Cancer Survivorship research, and the Iranian Student Association. Outside of her work, she is passionate about drawing portraits of her favorite movie & TV show characters.

She joined the UCHL Program as a volunteer in Fall 2020. She now serves as a Project Coordinator for the West Hartford Outpatient Site, the Gynecologic Oncology Site, and well as the Inpatient Shadowing Program. She has had the pleasure of presenting the UCHL Program’s research at multiple local and national conferences, including the Society of Hospital Medicine Converge and the Connecticut Academy of Family Physician’s Scientific Symposium. Rose enjoys learning about & implementing different strategies for patient education, especially for underserved populations. She is excited to help UCHL volunteers take away experiences that will further motivate them in their journeys as future healthcare professionals.

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Radha Patel, Project Coordinator

Radha graduated from the University of Connecticut (Class of 2023) with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. During college, she was a member of the John and Valerie Rowe Health Professions Scholars Program, a mentor in the Kids & UConn Bridging Education program, involved with the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, and worked to enhance DEI initiatives in the honors program.

Currently, Radha is spending her gap year working as a medical assistant and as a peer counselor in the UConn Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP) department. Outside of work, she finds joy in spending time with family and friends, creating music playlists, and diamond painting.

She joined UCHL as a volunteer during the Summer 2021 semester. Radha now serves as a Project Coordinator for the Family Medicine Center at Asylum Hill site and has developed a Breast Cancer Screening project to reduce barriers and increase mammogram screening rates. She has had the honor of having her research within the UCHL program accepted at multiple conferences, including the Society of Hospital Medicine Converge, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, and the Connecticut Academy of Family Physicians Scientific Symposium, where the presentation received the Certificate of Excellence in Research award. Radha is passionate about improving healthcare outcomes and enjoys learning about and applying practices to reduce health disparities. She is excited to be a part of a team that provides meaningful clinical opportunities and trains future leaders in the health professions community.

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Delia Lin, Project Coordinator

Delia is an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut majoring in Molecular Cell Biology and Statistics. She is from East Lyme, CT and joined UCHL in the Fall 2022 semester. On campus, Delia is a member of the 5th cohort of the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network and is involved in organizing Community Outreach Alternative Break trips and creating works for the Sci-art Gallery.

Delia serves as a Research Coordinator and is excited to work with UCHL volunteers to help patients access necessary resources to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce health disparities in our community. She looks forward to engaging in strategies of implementing effective patient education.

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Benito Elcuri, Project Coordinator

Benito is an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut, where he is pursuing a degree in Physiology and Neurobiology. Originally from Middletown, CT, Benito has been an active member of the UCHL since he joined in the Fall of 2023. On campus, he holds multiple leadership roles, serving as a Supplemental Instructor and Peer Leader for the Organic Chemistry department, as well as having previously worked as a teaching assistant in the Physiology and Neurobiology department.

Outside of his academic commitments, Benito is a passionate soccer fan, particularly devoted to following Manchester United matches. He also makes sure not to miss any UConn basketball games.

In addition to his academic and sports interests, Benito is deeply involved in community service. He serves as a Project Coordinator for the Farmington Outpatient site, where he collaborates with volunteers to address health disparities and raise awareness of Social Determinants of Health. His dedication to mentorship is evident in his leadership role in UCHL's mentorship program, where he helps guide pre-health professional students along their educational journeys.

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Karen Martinez, Project Coordinator

Karen is a graduate from the University of Connecticut (class of 2020) with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. She is from Newington, CT and joined UCHL as a volunteer during the Spring 2023 semester. 

In college, Karen was a member of a competitive dance/step team UConn All-Stars, BSA, ASA, secretary of UConn’s chapter of PorColombia, and was involved in chemical/biomolecular engineering research. Since graduating, she has completed post-baccalaureate courses, worked as a medical scribe, volunteered at the Hospital of Central CT, and is now a medical assistant in a pediatric practice. Outside of work and academics, she loves traveling, spending time with her puppy, and going to concerts. 

Karen serves as a Project Coordinator for the West Hartford and Gynecologic Oncology sites and is passionate about working with underrepresented populations and improving patient health outcomes. She is excited to work with volunteers and help them understand social barriers to healthcare so that they are able to confidently identify and address them as healthcare professionals.  

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Eric Rodonis, Volunteer Coordinator

Eric is a graduate from The University of Connecticut with a degree in English. He is from West Hartford, CT and joined UCHL in the spring of 2023. While at UConn, Eric was part of the UConn wrestling team where he competed among other club teams around the country.

Since graduating, Eric has worked for AMR Waterbury as an EMT. Outside of academia, he helps coach his old high school wrestling team, volunteers as a firefighter in town, and enjoys working on his motorcycle.

Eric serves as a volunteer coordinator with a passion of helping underserved communities. He also has a passion to mentor, and helps to run the mentorship program within UCHL.

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Aydin Calsetta, Volunteer Coordinator

Aydin is an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut working towards a dual degree in Physiology & Neurobiology and Sociology. His coursework in sociology is primarily focused on medical sociology in relation to social determinants of health. He is from Waterbury, CT and joined UCHL in the Summer 2023 semester. In addition to UCHL, Aydin is involved in UConn’s Pre-Med Society, is a Peer Mentor for Introduction to Biochemistry, volunteers as an EMT, and is involved in research at UCHC.

Aydin serves as a Volunteer Coordinator and is highly motivated about addressing health inequities that negatively affect underserved populations. He is excited to help the volunteers in their own work to improve health outcomes as well as to achieve their individual goals for their future careers in health care.

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Sydney Whittaker, Volunteer Coordinator

Sydney is an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut studying Molecular and Cell Biology with a minor in Business Fundamentals. She is from Boston, MA and she joined UCHL as a volunteer in January 2023. She has enjoyed volunteering with patients in the Outpatient Farmington Clinic every semester. Outside of UCHL, she is the Comptroller for UConn’s Undergraduate Student Government, a mentor coach for the Academic Achievement Center, the Vice President of Creating Caring Communities, and an undergraduate researcher in UConn Health’s Biomedical Engineering Department. She also works as a summer Blood Program Leader for the Red Cross and as a Patient Care Associate throughout the year. 

Sydney is one of the volunteer coordinators, recruiting volunteers and ensuring that the program runs smoothly. She is passionate about connecting with patients to address their needs relating to the social determinants of health and allowing the healthcare team to provide high quality care. She is enthusiastic about meeting the volunteers and working with them throughout their pre-professional journey!

UCHL Alumni

Jacqueline Steele

Jacqueline Steele, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Jacquie graduated from the UConn School of Medicine in 2022 and is now starting residency at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She grew up in Greenwich, CT and attended college at Emory University where she majored in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and minored in Spanish. In college she spent her free time volunteering at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, tutoring students at local Atlanta high schools, and playing on the club field hockey team.

Jacquie was a founding member of UCHL because she wanted to help patients from under-served communities have better access to health care services and she enjoyed mentoring incoming pre-health students about ways they can help improve patient health outcomes.

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Reinier González

After graduating from high school, Reinier moved to Connecticut from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to pursue an undergraduate education in the states. He recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Global Studies. At the University, Reinier was a member of many academic programs such as STEM Scholars in the Honors Program, LSAMP Scholar, and a member of the Leadership Legacy Experience. He also did research to find novel immunotherapy ligands in the University’s Pharmacy Department under Dr. Wiemer.

In addition to his work with UConn Health Leaders, Reinier is currently a Biomedical Science Masters student at UConn Heath. He is a member of the Young Innovative Investigator Program, working on biomaterials for pain alleviation in knee osteoarthritis. Beyond his master's Reinier seeks to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. Reinier is very passionate about working with underrepresented populations, as such, he hopes UCHL can inspire other students in understanding and dissolving the social barriers patients face to get quality health care.

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Meghan Kennedy

Meghan is an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut majoring in Molecular Cell Biology and minoring in Physiology and Neurobiology and Chemistry. She is from Southbury, CT and began volunteering with UCHL during Summer 2022. On campus, Meghan is involved in organic chemistry research, serves as an undergraduate TA and is a captain of the club tennis team.

Meghan serves as a Volunteer Coordinator and is excited to work with UCHL volunteers to address health disparities and reduce barriers to healthcare in our community.

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Katya Skaritanov, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Class of 2024

Katya is currently a first year medical student at the University of Massachusetts Medical School who was part of our very first coordinator team in 2019-2020. She was born in Russia, grew up in Israel, and graduated from high school in Needham, MA. In 2020 she graduated from UConn as a Physiology and Neurobiology Major, Honors Scholar, and University Scholar. Throughout college she was committed to community service through her work with the Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program and UCHL.

At UMass Med, Katya has been involved with the Crisis and Emergency Preparedness Committee, which has been integral in assembling the medical student volunteer force for the COVID-19 vaccination efforts in the State of Massachusetts. She is also involved with tutoring high school students and leading various interest groups on campus. She will always value the professional and personal opportunities for growth that UCHL offered her and hopes to apply her passion for community health in her future career as a physician.

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Ajshe Zulfi, Class of 2025

Ajshe is a medical student at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She is from Trumbull, CT. Ajshe graduated from UConn in 2021 with dual degrees in Economics and Healthcare Management and with a minor in Molecular and Cell Biology. She is a huge fan(atic) of the UConn women's basketball team and has had the opportunity to meet Coach Geno along with many of the players.

Ajshe is grateful for the connections that she created starting off as a volunteer in the UCHL program and is excited to continue her work with the program as a research coordinator.

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Ciara Dobrowolski, Albany Medical College, Class of 2025

Ciara is a medical student at Albany Medical College. She is from Ellington, CT and graduated from UConn in 2021 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. In college, she enjoyed engaging with the community through programs such as Engineering Ambassadors, Community Outreach, and UCHL. At Albany Med, she is involved in numerous service learning programs and public health initiatives.

Ciara joined UCHL as a volunteer in 2020 before becoming a coordinator. She is grateful for everything that UCHL taught her about healthcare disparities and is determined to continue addressing these issues in the Albany community.

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Darlene Burckson

Darlene recently graduated from the University of Connecticut (class of 2022) with a degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is from South Windsor, CT, and joined UCHL as a volunteer during the Summer 2020 semester. On-campus, Darlene is a Senior Resident Assistant for the Women in Math Science and Engineering Learning Community (WiMSE), in addition to being a member of the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network, a Peer Mentor for the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, and a member of the Leadership Legacy Experience.

Darlene is passionate about connecting patients to resources to improve health care outcomes and served as a Volunteer Engagement Coordinator.

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Sheryl John

Sheryl is an undergraduate student at UConn majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB) and Psychological Sciences. She is from Trumbull, CT. In addition to UCHL, she is the president of CHAARG and Sigma Theta Alpha. A pre-health fraternity. She is also a Senior Resident Assistant and  is involved in research in a psych lab on campus. Sheryl is also a member of Leadership Legacy at UConn. Sheryl started as a volunteer in the UCHL program during the Summer of 2020.

Sheryl serves as one of the Research Coordinators and is excited to work with UCHL leadership and volunteers to address social determinants of health and reduce health disparities in our community. She is excited to learn and implement as many resources she can to help the underserved population.

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Kristina Gaffney

Kristina grew up in Easton, CT and received her Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree in Allied Health Sciences, and minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology, from UConn. While at UConn, she worked as an undergraduate researcher in a Molecular and Cellular Biology lab exploring the functions of the Myf5 and MyoD genes in satellite cells during early development in mice. After graduation, she served as a Patient Care Technician at Bridgeport Hospital in the Pulmonary Medical/Surgical department and also joined the hospital's ethics committee, which she still serves as a standing member today. Kristina now lives and works full-time in New Haven at the Yale Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), which focuses on improving health and health care through targeted research projects.

Kristina joined our first coordinator team as a founding member of UCHL in 2019, and has participated in the program as Research Coordinator until June 2021. She continues to feel passionate about UCHL's mission to address and reduce health disparities in Connecticut, and greatly appreciates the various opportunities and mentorships that she has gained from her involvement.