Our Team

Dana L. Thomas, MPH (she/her)

Director

Dana L. Thomas, MPH is a connector and collaborator who leverages the strengths of her team to build the capacity of youth, organizations, and faculty to address health equity locally, nationally, and globally. She has over two decades of experience working alongside communities and institutions using a participatory action approach to improve health, address health equity, and build capacity through training. She has traveled the world (and in her own backyard) with youth to increase their public health skills, competency, and cultural awareness and appreciation.  Her work with communities in the recovery stages of disasters has taken her to Flint, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Thomas has expertise in partnership development, program development, and evaluation. Her applied work and interests include health equity; rural and island health; applied research to address community and organizational capacity building; public health preparedness; and evidence-based public health.  She is not afraid of the unknown and has a willingness to engage in moments of discomfort to stretch her understanding of humanity.  She loves a good story and uses storytelling to engage and inspire individuals, particularly the future generation of leaders. She earned a BA degree in History from Wayne State University and an MPH degree in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan.

Kaleigh Cornelison, MSW (She/Her)

Assistant Director

Kaleigh Cornelison is currently the Assistant Director at the Adolescent Health Initiative (AHI). She obtained her master’s degree in social work from Washington University in St Louis with a specialization in nonprofit management and her bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Michigan. Prior to working at AHI, she worked in St Louis and Los Angeles in youth-serving nonprofits, schools, and health care. She also enjoys developing and delivering engaging professional development opportunities for adult learners. Kaleigh is passionate about supporting young people by empowering the adults in their lives to meet them where they are.

Terrill Bravender, MD, MPH (He/Him)

Co-Medical Director

Terrill Bravender is a pediatrician and adolescent medicine physician who serves at co-medical director of AHI. He attended college and medical school at the University of Michigan, received his residency training in Pediatrics at Duke University, and completed his fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. While a fellow, he received his Master of Public Health from Harvard University. He is currently the David Rosen Professor of Adolescent Medicine and also serves as the Executive Director of the UM Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program. He has served as chair of both the General Pediatrics Exam Committee and the Adolescent Medicine Subboard for the American Board of Pediatrics and is currently the president of the Michigan Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. His career has been focused on breaking down the barriers between physical and mental health care for adolescents and young adults and on training the next generation of physicians regarding the importance of patient-centered care.

Cornelius D. Jamison, MD, MSPH (He/Him)

Co-Medical Director

Cornelius D. Jamison is a Family Medicine physician and health services researcher currently serving as Co-Medical Director of AHI. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana and a MSPH in Public Health Studies from Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine. Dr. Jamison went on to earn his medical degree from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and received his residency training at Duke University/Southern Regional AHEC in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  He completed his fellowship in the National Clinician Scholars Program at the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan and the US Department of Veterans Affairs as a VA Scholar. His passion revolves around adolescent and sexual health, specifically preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections among minority and underserved individuals. He is interested in developing interventions and healthcare practices that will improve STI prevention, including expanding the use of Expedited Partner Therapy. His career in academic medicine focuses on integrating the clinical duties of a primary care physician with his interests in healthcare research and health policy to improve the care for adolescent and patients in underserved communities.

Melissa Harris, MS (She/Her)

Administrative Assistant Intermediate

Melissa Harris received her Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University in 2017 and joined Adolescent Health Initiative in August 2019. Prior to joining the AHI team, she gained experience working with adolescents through her undergraduate and alumni work with Camp Kesem, a non-profit that sends K-12 kids with a parent(s) affected by cancer to a free week of summer camp. Melissa’s journey after graduation also led her into a Naturalist role at a Nature Center in Lansing where she facilitated team-building exercises, worked with Lansing youth in an outdoor setting, and assisted with event planning. Melissa is passionate about educational outreach and positive growth within communities.

Tahrima Khanom, MSW (She/Her)

Program Manager

Tahrima Khanom is a social worker with nearly ten years of experience in public health, domestically and internationally. She obtained her master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan with a concentration in management of human services and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit. From grassroots advocacy and direct care work to program management and administration, Tahrima has a wide range of experiences that have given her a unique and valuable perspective in creating real change in our communities. Before joining the Adolescent Health Initiative team as Program Manager, Tahrima worked in various settings, including hospital health systems, federally qualified health centers, county health departments, and nonprofit organizations. Tahrima is passionate about developing data-driven, community-centered solutions to help address society’s most pertinent needs. In her free time, Tahrima is busy planning her next adventure.

Lauren Vasquez, MS, CHES (She/Her)

Senior Program Specialist and Lead Facilitator of The Adolescent Champion’s Teen Advisory Council (TAC TAC)

Lauren Vasquez earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Science in Community Health Education from Eastern Michigan University. She also holds a CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) certification. Lauren taught Spanish and Health Education in public schools for eight years, as well as interned at The Summit, a recreation facility in Canton, where she evaluated their health and wellness program. Her previous work experience also includes working as a Wellness Coordinator for EMU’s Wellness Center, where she collaborated with various departments and student organizations to improve health for students and staff. She also worked in Corporate Wellness, and as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. She is passionate about educating and empowering youth and parents about sexual and reproductive health, emotional health, nutrition, cultural competency, and women’s empowerment. Lauren is excited to be a part of all the amazing things that AHI is doing to improve health care for adolescents. Her hobbies include writing and playing music, dancing, and spending time with family.

Emily Rowland RN, MSc, PhD candidate (She/Her)

Program Specialist – Evaluation

Emily Rowland is a Registered Nurse with a Master of Science in Health Systems from the University of Ottawa and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Public Health at the University of Toronto. She has worked clinically in level III NICUs as well as in behavioral health settings with individuals experiencing mental health crises.  Emily’s non-clinical background includes employment in a variety of research and academic settings, such as with the maternal and child health unit at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and as an evaluation expert with University Health Network in Toronto, Canada.  She brings expertise in delivering trauma-informed care to individuals in times of crisis and vulnerability- particularly with adolescents and new mothers. She is passionate about improving relationships between healthcare providers and their patients in an effort to achieve better physical and mental health outcomes. When she is not working, Emily finds joy in podcasts, yoga, and spending time with her family.

MavaMarie Cooper, MPH (She/Her)

Program Specialist, TAC TAC Co-Facilitator

MavaMarie Cooper is a two-time University of Michigan graduate, earning her Bachelors of Arts in International Studies, Global Health in 2013 and her Masters of Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education in 2016. Before joining AHI in March 2021, Mava lived in Colorado, working in various areas of youth prevention, including substance abuse prevention and youth mental health, focusing on positive youth development. She has applied her passion for working alongside youth and expertise in prevention in academia, local government, and the nonprofit sector. In her free time, Mava can be found exploring local parks and trails with her rescue pup Zeb, working on a crossword puzzle, or trying to master recipes from the Great British Baking Show.

Frankie McIntosh (She/They)

Program Coordinator

Frankie McIntosh received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice & Sociology with a minor in Computer Science at the University of Michigan-Flint. Frankie is passionate about working with various community organizations and nonprofits in Flint and Detroit, MI. Before joining AHI, they worked as a program facilitator at the Latinx Technology and Community Center, empowering youth through programming that involved community engagement and leadership development. Poetry has always been a consistent joy in their life. As an artist living in Flint, MI, Frankie can share their truth and encourage others to do the same by connecting with the local community. This inspired Frankie to create poetry programs and mental wellness programs among adolescents in Flint and Genesee County. By engaging communities and implementing programs, Frankie has always advocated the importance of arts and culture in mental health and adolescent development.

Gina Liu (She/Her)

Program Assistant Intern

Gina Liu (she/her) is a senior in the University of Michigan School of Public Health Undergraduate Program studying Community and Global Health with minors in Urban Studies and Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies. She is the former President of the United Asian American Organizations (UAAO), which is an Asian American-based racial and social justice coalition on the U of M campus. Through these experiences, she has gained interest in advocating for marginalized communities with a health-focused lens. She was drawn to AHI’s diverse initiatives, such as sexual health access and racial equity and AHI’s youth empowerment framework. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, playing tennis, and embroidering used clothing.

Tommy Lau (He/Him)

Youth Engagement Intern

Tommy received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomolecular Science from the University of Michigan in 2020. He is currently a first-year dental student at the University of Michigan. Tommy has been working with adolescents for the last couple of years through teaching and mentorship. He was also an active member of AHI’s Adolescent Champion Teen Advisory Council (TAC TAC), where he explored youth’s needs and learned from his peers. He is interested in working with adolescents in the future and is looking forward to advocating for them by exploring avenues to include all youth voices.

Sara Kleine (She/Her)

Program Assistant Intern

Sara Kleine is a senior at Ohio State University studying Public Health with a focus in sociology and psychology. Throughout her time at Ohio State, she has volunteered as a Wellness Ambassador and worked as a student assistant at the Student Wellness Center, where she does presentations and outreach on topics including safer sex, stress management, and alcohol and drug use. She also volunteered at the Ohio HIV Hotline for two years, providing support and information for Ohio residents dealing with HIV and other sexual health issues. Sara is passionate about access to comprehensive sex education, specifically in healthy relationship skills, consent, and STI prevention. In her free time, she loves hiking, skiing with the OSU Ski Team, and spending time with friends and family.

Rachel Brauer (She/Her)

Marketing & Communications Specialist

Rachel received her Bachelor of Arts in the Arts and Humanities from Michigan State University (MSU) in 2018. Her previous experience in health care communications includes her time as the Writer for MSU’s College of Nursing’s Marketing and Communications Team as well as the Storytelling Coordinator of MSU’s Chapter of Project LETS. Rachel is passionate about mental health advocacy and improving health outcomes for underserved populations. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, gardening, and spending time with her cats and loved ones.

Riss Giammalva

Marketing Coordinator

Riss Giammalva is a storyteller, communications and marketing specialist, and joyful movement enthusiast living on land stolen from Peoria, Anishinabewaki, and Waawiyatanong peoples, now known as Detroit-ish, Michigan. They strive to create space where they can support folks in confidently communicating their grand ideas and aspirations visually, verbally, and creatively through inclusive, accessible, and diverse content creation and marketing strategies.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with a minor in Graphic Communication from Eastern Michigan University in 2019, Riss realized they were missing the stories of an entire population of people, and therefore, is currently in pursuit of a degree in American Sign Language Interpretation from Wayne County Community College District.

Riss is dedicated to ongoing learning and unlearning around social justice, equity, accessibility and inclusivity. They have special interests in trans, queer, fat and disabled populations and improving their health care access.

In their free time, you’ll find Riss reading in their local coffee shop, chatting it up with strangers, practicing ASL, and teaching movement classes online.

Cindy Ko (she/her)

Marketing & Media Intern

Cindy is a junior at the University of Michigan, majoring in Biology, Health, and Society and minoring in Sociology of Health and Medicine. During her time at the University, she has conducted research with the Center for Health Disparities and Innovation Studies to determine the most significant factors contributing to health disparities in underserved racial communities. Through her work at AHI and her research project, she will continue conducting outreach activities in various communities in the upcoming year. Cindy is passionate about advocating for equitable health care and furthering racial justice outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, making music, and spending time with her loved ones.

Vijay Singh, MD, MPH, MS
Clinical Lecturer
Department of Emergency Medicine/Family Medicine/and Internal Medicine

Sara Wiener, LMSW
Project Manager
Organizational Learning

Melissa Boguslawski, PhD, MPH
Program Manager
Project Healthy Schools
MHealthy

Laura Jadwin-Cakmak, MPH
Project Manager
Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities
School of Public Health

Sharon Kileny, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics

Elisabeth Quint, MD
Dean, Professor
Medical School/Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Cindy Darling-Fisher, PhD, FNP
Clinical Assistant Professor Emerita
School of Nursing

Alfreda Rooks, MPA 
Director
Community Health Services

Elizabeth Kuzma, DNP, FNP-BC
AGNP and FNP (Co) Program Lead
Clinical Associate Professor