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Alumni News | 05/13/2024
By: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

May 2024 Accolades

UPenn student Tej Patel (2021) was one of 60 college students named Truman Scholars. Truman awards graduate funding and leadership development training to students planning careers in public policy and public service.

“Tej is studying molecular biology, healthcare management & policy, and statistics. Inspired by his experiences as an advocate and volunteer, Tej seeks to make healthcare systems more equitable and cost-effective. Focused on health economics, radiation oncology, and human-algorithm collaboration in clinical care, his research has been published in Nature Medicine, JAMA Health Forum, Journal of National Cancer Institute, IJROBP, and Journal of Clinical Oncology. Tej co-founded the Social Equity Action Lab, a youth-led think tank that brings together students, institutional partners, and policymakers across the country to inform legislation on key issues such as America’s mental health crisis, value-based payment reform, and healthcare decarbonization. On campus, he is the director of the Locust Bioventures group, coordinator for the Netter Center High School Pipeline Program, and policy/outcomes researcher for the Shelter Health Outreach Program. He also interned with the Mongan Institute for Health Policy and Institute for Healthcare Improvement, working on projects covering Medicare Part D policy and alternative payment models. Following graduation, Tej intends to pursue an MD/MPP and leverage insights from medicine and policy to improve nationwide care delivery.” – from the Truman Scholars website.
U.S. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (2002) was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. She is the highest-ranking woman in the House GOP.
Aisha Chebbi (2020) has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship as one of 70 students pursuing a study/research award in Germany for the next academic year.
Emily Zhen (2014) was named on the 2023 EVC List, honoring the top 25 stars in venture capital.

“Emily Zhen is a Principal at Zeal Capital Partners, where she leads healthcare investing with a focus on Health Equity and also invests in Fintech and the Future of Work & Learning. Prior to Zeal, Emily was a healthcare investor at NEA. Previously, she was a healthcare investment banker at Goldman Sachs and worked in various operating roles in digital health, clinical research, and government. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Emily graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with dual degrees in biology and business from The Wharton School. Advancing health equity and promoting diversity is a personal mission for Emily as a first-generation American. She is an advisor for Gold House Ventures Accelerator for Asian American Pacific Islander founders and the healthcare co-lead for the Emerging Venture Capitalists Association.” – from EVC’s website.
Hananeel Morinville (2021) was elected Vanderbilt University’s student body president.
Lia Haile (2022) was one of five individuals inducted into the Carson Scholars Hall of Fame. The mission of the Hall of Fame is to honor outstanding Carson Scholar Alumni who are representatives of the CSF’s mission – those who have demonstrated success and excellence in the work force, who have excelled academically and/or who have made significant contributions in their communities – and to foster community amongst the alumni by continuing to recognize their achievements.
Medical Mythbuster Joel Bervell (2013) was named a 2024 TED Fellow. Learn more about Joel in The SIP episode Improving Healthcare with Heart and Intention with Joel, Anthoney, Athena, and Kaitlyn.

“Joel Bervell is a medical student educating people about health care disparities and biases through viral social media content. By sharing stories and studies with his audience of more than one million about the neglect of marginalized groups, he advocates for change in the health care system.” – from the TED website.
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