The mission of AAHI is to reduce health disparities, highlight healthcare needs, increase health literacy, and fight stigma within the Arab American community with the goal of improving health outcomes.
Our Team
Board of Directors
Mariam Ayyash, CEO
Mariam is a first year Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow at Columbia University. She completed her medical school training at the University of Michigan Medical School, Masters of Science in Clinical Research at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and her Obstetrics & Gynecology residency training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She is passionate about public health, women's health, mentorship and research. She also has a passion for humanitarian relief and global work with refugees and Arab communities in the Middle East.
Malak Kabalan, Board of Directors
Malak earned her MS in Global Health from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Currently, she works as a Public Health Coordinator Southeast Michigan. She manages projects that address social determinants of health and barriers preventing underserved populations from accessing health and social services. Her work includes advocacy, policy, research, and program development relating to the MENA population and health equity. Her experience has led her to develop expertise in navigating cultural dynamics and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including community members, healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers, to develop effective interventions that promote health equity and well-being.
Marwa Ayyash, COO
Marwa is an emergency medicine physician with OhioHealth. She received her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and completed her emergency medicine residency training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She is interested in global health care and participating in medical missions, especially in the Middle East. Outside of medicine, Marwa enjoys weightlifting.
Marwa Saad, Board of Directors
Marwa earned her Bachelor in Science degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Psychology. Marwa first joined AAHI in 2018 and continued on to serve as both the Social Media Chair as well as the Community Service Chair. During her time in AAHI, she created events focused on increasing health education and reducing health disparities amongst the Arab American community. Through events such as Health Education Day at local elementary schools to Suicide Prevention training (QPR), Marwa implemented ways to educate various age groups on the importance of increasing health literacy. Marwa is passionate about serving the underserved population and giving back to her community. She hopes that as she continues to serve her community as part of the Board of Directors, she has the opportunity to highlight the Arab American narrative within the health field.
Hebah Reda, Board of Directors
Hebah received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, graduating with a major in biological sciences and minor in law and society. Hebah is currently an M2 at the University of Michigan Medical School. She is passionate about culturally competent medical care, minority health, and social justice. Hebah’s contributions to AAHI started off her freshman year while interviewing healthcare professionals and progressed to her leadership roles organizing and holding community seminars tailored to the unique needs of Arab Americans while also normalizing conversations around health stigmas. She hopes to continue to educate, empower, and advocate for the Arab American community in her current role on the Board of Directors and as an aspiring future physician.
Executive Board
Ahmad Alsheikh, President
Ahmad Alsheikh is a recent graduate of Harvard University, where he studied Chemistry and Government. Having attended high school in New Mexico, Ahmad was surrounded by a small but warm Arab American community that motivated him to become more involved in healthcare. As an aspiring physician interested in government, Ahmad hopes to contribute to Arab American health and health policy. On campus, he was involved in a number of healthcare and foreign policy organizations, where he invited leaders in healthcare for guest speaker lectures. Through his position, he is eager to contribute to healthcare research in the Arab American community and promote health advocacy. Specifically, he hopes to empower AAHI members to advocate for bills and legislations that relate to Arab American health and healthcare broadly. Beyond his studies, he enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and mountain biking.
Selene Alatrach, Administrative Coordinator
Selene Alatrach is a sophomore at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor majoring in Biology, Health, and Society (BHS). Having a passion for both medicine and research, she is dedicated to helping advance health advocacy and representation for the Arab-American community in our country. As part of the executive board, Selene hopes to provide an opportunity for all students and members in the health field to become familiar with the events, seminars, and resources AAHI works to advance and bridge the healthcare gap in our community.
Farah Chouaib, Vice President
Farah Chouaib received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a major in public health. Passionate about women's health, she currently serves as a research assistant for the Study of Women Across the Nation (SWAN), concentrating on muscular health for menopausal women. Farah previously served as the Social Media Chair for AAHI, where her focus was on destigmatizing mental health topics and creating healthy Mediterranean recipes within the Arab American community. In her current role as vice president and an aspiring physician assistant, she aims to continue integrating a public health perspective into the Arab American community and nationally.
Nadine Bazzi, Seminars Chair
Nadine Bazzi is an alumna of Wayne State University, where she graduated from the Honors College with a major in public health and a minor in biological sciences. She is now pursuing her medical degree as a second-year student at the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her dedication to advocating for the Arab-American community began during high school and continued throughout her undergraduate studies. She has organized numerous events to advance her community, including discussions on HIV prevention and panels addressing mental health stigma. Currently serving as a seminars coordinator for the Arab American Health Initiative (AAHI), Nadine plans to use her position and future role as a physician to facilitate essential conversations within her community.
Hanan Mehdi, Social Media Chair
Hanan is a junior at Oakland University majoring in Social Work and double minoring in psychology and sociology with the aim of becoming a School Social Worker. Born and raised in Dearborn, MI, Hanan is passionate about advocating for the youth in the community and addressing the stigma surrounding mental health. Her mission is to reshape perceptions, educate, and empower communities, with a particular focus on bridging the gaps in mental health disparities. Beyond her studies, she enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends. Hanan hopes to continue to serve the Arab American community by providing innovative resources for community growth.
Natalie El-Zayat, Mentorship Co-Chair
Natalie El-Zayat is a second year Doctorate of Physical Therapy student at the University of Michigan-Flint. She is a first-generation college student and spent her childhood moving from continent to continent. She grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, and then moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo before settling in Michigan. Natalie has a passion for pelvic health physical therapy and wants to immerse herself in the field of prenatal care. She majored in Psychology during her undergraduate education and hopes to incorporate mental health while treating her future patients. She would like to practice in her Arab-American community and advocate for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves. Natalie understands the pivotal role that mentorship can have in helping navigate the complexities of higher education and wants to help supply the community with the necessary tools to be successful.
Hesham Atoui, Community Outreach Chair
Hesham Atoui graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor's degree in Public Health. He is currently a third-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Passionate about preventive medicine, during his undergraduate studies, Hesham focused on educating his community about ways to lead healthy lifestyles. He hopes to continue this work with AAHI and also aims to educate his community about their illnesses to improve their health literacy.
Hayat Bazzi, Mentorship Co-Chair
Hayat received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, graduating with a major in Biopsychology, Cognition, & Neuroscience. Hayat is currently an M2 at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Raised in Dearborn, MI, she hopes to empower future generations of Arab Americans through AAHI by participating in mentorship and educational programs. Through this position and as an aspiring physician, Hayat hopes to create a lasting impact by making educational resources and opportunities more accessible to her community. In her free time, you can find Hayat reading a book or trying new coffee recipes!