CFAAR's Ambassador program: 95 Students, 22 Sessions, 35 Speakers, 13 Workgroups — One week
August, 5 2025
By Elizabeth Folger
Last week, the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research (CFAAR) at the Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) wrapped the 5th cohort of the CFAAR Ambassadors Program.
More than 95 high school students from 19 states came together for the week-long immersive experience, diving into the world of public health, community advocacy, and medicine. Participants attended 22 dynamic sessions, hearing from 35 speakers including researchers, clinicians, patient advocates, and non-traditional healthcare professionals. The experience offered students a front-row seat to the many career paths available as they plan for the future.
“The CFAAR Ambassadors Program is more than just a summer program — it’s a launching pad for the next generation of leaders in public health, medicine, and community-driven research,” said Ruchi Gupta, MD, MPH, professor of Pediatrics and director of the CFAAR.
The CFAAR Ambassadors Program is more than just a summer program — it’s a launching pad for the next generation of leaders in public health, medicine, and community-driven research.”
Throughout the week, students explored topics that are reshaping the future of healthcare and equity. Christopher LeMark, Founder of Coffee, Hip-Hop, & Mental Health, opened up about his journey turning personal challenges into a movement for community wellness.
Students also connected deeply with Robert Garofalo, MD, MPH, Chief of Adolescent Medicine and Director of the Gender & Sex Development Program at Lurie Children’s, who shared his personal, non-linear path into medicine and the power of authenticity and advocacy.
Students explored how healthcare careers extend far beyond traditional clinical roles in a panel discussion on alternative routes to medicine. Andrea Graham, PhD, associate professor of Medical Social Sciences, shared how focusing on user experience design guides her work creating health intervention apps.
Rachel Brown, MS, CCLS, certified child life specialist at Lurie Children’s Hospital, discussed her role in supporting children and families through medical experiences.
Innovation and entrepreneurship were also key themes. Lisa Dhar, PhD, Associate Vice President for Innovation at Northwestern University’s Innovation & New Ventures Office (INVO), led a dynamic session on bringing healthcare innovations to life. Nico Thom and the team from She Became shared an empowering message on leadership, advocacy, and creating spaces for women and girls to thrive.
A central element of the program was mentorship. Twenty-four undergraduate and medical school mentors — many of whom are CFAAR Scholars Interns or alumni of the Ambassadors program themselves — provided candid advice on navigating the college experience, pursuing passions, and building networks of support in higher education and beyond.
In addition to attending presentations, students worked in collaborative groups to develop community health intervention proposals related to health equity, environmental health, food allergies, asthma, and mental health. At the end of the week, each group presented their ideas.
CFAAR closed out the week with a reflective exercise in which students wrote letters to their future selves. These letters will be sealed and mailed back to students in one year, serving as a personal reminder of their goals, growth, and the impact they set out to make.
To learn more about the CFAAR's student programming, visit the center website or email Samantha Sansweet at Samantha[dot]Sansweet[at]northwestern[dot]edu.