Patient Navigators

  • Timothy Ahn

    Timothy Ahn

    Timothy is a biology major on the pre-medical track. His future aspiration is to become a pediatric anesthesiologist.  He loves working alongside families and children to empower them to thrive. Timothy is honored to join the Preschool and Me team to support families and make a difference in their lives.

  • Valeria Becerra Chavez

    Valeria is a fourth-year biology major on the Pre-Medical track. She aspires to attend medical school and become a developmental-behavioral pediatrician. She is excited to support families and their children and connect them to the resources they need to promote their growth and development. 

  • Denise Carreto-Munoz

    Denise is a student at UIC majoring in neuroscience and minoring in chemistry. She is on the pre-medical track and aims to attend medical school to pursue surgery. Denise is very excited to join the Preschool and Me team and help families receive the proper resources to be successful.

  • Caroline Cotto

    Caroline Cotto

    Caroline is a senior at the University of Illinois Chicago, majoring in applied psychology with a minor in sociology. She plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology, focusing on youth mental health, community-based care, and marginalized populations. She is passionate about advocacy and equity in mental health, ensuring underserved families are supported and every child has access to the resources they need to thrive.

  • Brynne Darden

    Brynne Darden

    Brynne graduated with a B.S in biological science and a minor in business management from Hampton University (Home By The Sea). She will be attending The University of Chicago to obtain her PhD in cancer biology. Brynne aspires to focus on cancer epigenetic treatment and targeting the molecular, environmental, and social components contributing to health disparities and inequities.

  • Marsha Francois

    Marsha Francois

    Marsha is a recent graduate of Florida International University, where she earned her Ed.S. in School Psychology. Marsha is passionate about supporting children’s social-emotional and academic development through culturally responsive and evidence-based practices. She is excited to join the Preschool & Me team and looks forward to contributing to a nurturing environment where all children and families feel seen, supported, and empowered.

  • Sereen Hassaballa

    Sereen just finished her first year at UIC majoring in Integrated Health Studies with a minor in Human Nutrition. Sereen aspires and plans to attend medical school to specialize in pediatric anesthesia as she loves working with kids and has great experience. She is dedicated to making a purposeful impact and hopes to support and make a difference in the lives of the families and children she will work with by connecting them with the resources they need to flourish! 

  • Artitzy Herrera

    Aritzy is a third-year student attending UIC set to graduate May 2026. She is majoring in Integrated Health Studies and minoring in Nutrition. She is on the pre-med track and hopes to work in a pediatric specialty. Aritzy hopes to take what she has learned with helping families at Pre-School and me into consideration when working with families in the future.

  • Lynn Idriss

    Lynn is a third year student at UIC majoring in biology and pursuing the medical field. She has experience in working at Preschool as a teacher assistant. She’s passionate about helping families and children specifically and aspires to work in the pediatric field.

  • Shloka Jain

    Shloka is a freshman majoring in Integrated Health Studies on the pre-medicine track. She hopes to pursue a career in pediatric neurology. Shloka loves working with children and is passionate about giving back to the community in any way she can. She is excited to be part of the Preschool and Me team and looks forward to supporting families and making a meaningful impact.

  • Sean Juarez

    Sean is in his junior year at UIC majoring in Applied Psychology and minoring in Biology. His academic interests include clinical psychology, neuropsychology and really anything else that has to do with the brain. He is planning on either pursuing a doctorate-level degree in clinical psychology or attending medical school to become a psychiatrist. He is passionate about mental health and hoping to help improve the mental healthcare system as a whole. He is excited to be a part of the Preschool and Me team because he loves working directly with families and helping them get the support they need!

  • Adil Lokhandwala

    Adil is an applied psychology major, graduating in May 2025. He is infatuated with the human mind and will use this curiosity in medicine to become a Child Psychiatrist. Adil is jubilant to join this team and hopes to make a difference in families' lives.

  • Zain Mohammad

    Zain Mohammad

    Zain is a fourth year student majoring in applied psychology at University of Illinois at Chicago. He is set to graduate in May 2025 and aspires to attend law school after. In the future, he wants to help programs like Preschool & Me in creating a better education system for future generations.

  • Diya Patel

    Diya Patel

    Diya is a third year student at UIC set to graduate in December 2025. She is majoring in psychology and double minoring in biology and kinesiology. She is on the pre-physician assistant track where she hopes to work in the pediatric speciality. She is dedicated to ensuring children have access to the right resources and supporting families.

  • Rashida Peshawarwala

    Rashida Peshawarwala

    Rashida is a sophomore pre-dental student at UIC majoring in integrated health studies. She is passionate about delivering health equity to kids especially because she has a strong interest in working with kids in the future. Her goal is to become a pediatric dentist who advocates for accessible care and community health. She is very excited to be a part of this team and hopes she can do her part in bridging the gap and supporting children's growth and developmental needs.

  • Julian Reyna

    Julian is a fourth-year Neuroscience student at UIC passionate about public health and early childhood education. He has spent over two years working with children as a gymnastics instructor, further deepening his dedication to early learning. Julian looks forward to continuing to support families and making a positive difference one system at a time.

  • Ashley Santizo

    Ashley Santizo

    Ashley will be attending the UIC College of Nursing in the fall of 2025. She is passionate about working with families and ensuring they receive the support they need. As a Patient Navigator, she helps guide families through important processes, and her experience as a literacy tutor has allowed her to support children with Down syndrome in developing their reading and writing skills. She is excited to continue making a meaningful impact, whether through patient advocacy or early childhood education programs like Preschool and Me.

  • Anvi Shevade

    Anvi is a freshman majoring in integrated health studies and minoring in public health on the pre-medicine track. She hopes to pursue a career that integrates public health and medicine. Anvi loves interacting with diverse community groups and is passionate about giving back. She is excited to join the Preschool and Me team to better understand the local systems and make navigation easier for families.

  • Valeria Silva

    Valeria Silva

    Valeria is a student at UIC majoring in applied psychology and minoring in Spanish. She is passionate about providing bilingual therapy services; she aspires to become part of the system that promotes well-being for those struggling with mental health. Valeria is excited to become a PN, offering the support that families need by providing comprehensive care and guidance during critical moments.

  • Tiffany Thang

    Tiffany is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Chicago pursuing a double degree in applied psychology and disability and human development. Currently, she volunteers and participates in philanthropic events in the Chicagoland area. In the future, she aspires to give back to the community as a school counselor. She is thrilled to join the Preschool & Me team and looks forward to supporting families and children in receiving the resources they need to thrive.

  • Samantha Torres

    Samantha Torres

    Samantha is a first-year UIC student majoring in integrated health science and minoring in Spanish for the Professions. She is on the pre-med track and plans on attending medical school to become a pediatrician. Samantha is excited to join Preschool and Me because she wants to connect with and support families in her community, inspired by her own personal experiences growing up.

  • Simrah Wahabuddin

    Simrah Wahabuddin

    Simrah is a psychology major with a double minor in business administration and disability inclusion. Her career goals involve pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology. She works as a Registered Behavior Technician to provide ABA therapy to children with Autism. She is excited to advocate for families to receive proper resources that can help kids reach their full potential!

Interested in joining our team?

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