Meet our summer writers!

We are excited to announce our summer 2015 volunteer writers!

Watsi volunteer writers are the masterminds behind every patient story you see on watsi.org. Our volunteers take raw data from our medical partners and bring each patient’s story to life.

Emily Abraham

Emily Abraham is a student at UC Berkeley studying Anthropology and Public Policy. She started a youth run nonprofit that raised thousands of dollars to benefit homeless, at risk youth, elderly, and pregnant and abused women in her community. She believes that nonprofits fueled by passionate people can make all the difference for those in need and really enjoys creating hands-on solutions.

Karen Brothers

Karen completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering at Georgia Tech and Stanford University, and she has worked as an engineer, technical writer, and release manager in the automotive, consulting, and software industries. Her desire to help people understand their health issues led her to earn a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from National College of Natural Medicine and complete a two-year residency in naturopathic oncology at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. These experiences introduced her to new people and ideas that have deepened her passion for medicine and technology.

Andrew Ho

Andrew is passionate about unlocking the untapped power of human potential. He studied Biology at UCLA and just moved to SF to work in the economic development space. Andrew likes trying new foods and is convinced that there’s a place for avocados in every meal.

Angeline Hong

Angeline enjoys warm naps in cold weather. She likes to look at food, make food, and eat food. One day soon, she will travel to eat the world and find a way to help the world.

Michelle Matvey

Michelle is a student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology. With a lifelong passion for healthcare, she spent the past summer working with patients in a medical office and is currently a research assistant at UC Berkeley’s Sleep and Mood Clinic. Michelle is fascinated by the innovative use of technology and writing to increase worldwide access to medical care and is excited to contribute to Watsi’s cause.

Ravi Mulani

Ravi currently works at LinkedIn as a Senior Associate in the Business Operations group, focusing on strategy, performance management, and analytics. Before LinkedIn, he worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs. He has substantial working experience in developing markets as well as the United States, and is excited about using technology to improve health outcomes and reduce inequality. In his spare time, you can find him reading a good book or trying out a new recipe.

Mara Perman

Mara Perman is a huge fan of human-centered design and its implications for global health equity. She studied government and global health at Cornell and now supports digital health startups. She loves good weather, road trips, and the internet.

Victoria Rainbolt

Victoria is a public health and business student at the University of St Andrews in St Andrews Scotland. Having competed in half-marathons and triathlons, she is a fitness lover but also enjoys graphic design, photography and writing. Victoria is passionate about improving the accessibility of healthcare as well as understanding complex health issues around the world. Her research interests relate to global public health, specifically obesity, nutrition, prevention, socioeconomics, social stigmas in health and HIV/AIDS.

Emily Ratto

Emily is a student at Saint Mary’s College of California, where she is pursuing a B.A. in English. Emily is an aspiring poet and has worked as a communication and marketing intern for a Bay Area nonprofit, Volunteers of America. Emily is fascinated by the way that written and spoken language can help improve lives.

Peyton Sherwood

Peyton Sherwood is from Alamo, California, and just finished up her first year at the University of California, Los Angeles. As an English major, writing is one of her greatest passions and she could not be more thrilled to be volunteering for Watsi, and using her interests in a way that will have a positive global impact. At school she works for the newspaper’s advertising/marketing department and is a member of a dance group called Synthesis Dance Team. In her spare time she enjoys reading, hiking, playing guitar, and going to the movies.

Kristi Sun

Kristi is a rising senior at Scripps College who is currently pursuing a psychology major and Spanish minor. She has a strong interest in healthcare and writing, and is excited to work in a position that combines both of these fields. After spending the last semester studying abroad in Madrid, she is excited to be back home in the Bay Area and working with Watsi!

Jaclyn Vanstone

Jaclyn is a die-hard Vancouverite pursuing her law degree in the interior of BC. On issues of international development, philanthropy, and human rights she has been accused of having a voice too loud and opinions too strong for her diminutive stature, but believes that the important things in life are worth yelling about. She’s looking forward to bringing this fervour to the Watsi mission.

Sakena Washington

Sakena Washington is a freelance writer and research coordinator based in Pittsburgh. She graduated from Clark Atlanta University prior to earning an MFA in Creative Writing at Antioch University, Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in Borgen Magazine, Brevity, and In the Fray.

Ryan Wentz

Ryan is a student at the University of Colorado, Boulder, majoring in political science. For fun, he blogs, tutors people in English, hikes, and drinks too much coconut water. When he was ten, he managed lemonade stands, though he no longer does. Ryan believes in Watsi, and understands how crucial healthcare is for everyone. He looks forward to making an impact in the world one patient at a time.