Congratulations to our 2022 honorees
We are pleased to celebrate these Plater Medallion recipients.
Undergraduate recipients
Melissa Aceves
Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
Melissa Aceves, an Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health undergraduate from Columbus, Indiana, is dedicated to equity, equality, and inclusion of underrepresented populations by working with community members, grassroots organizations, Indiana campuses, and collaborators. Through her undergraduate career, Melissa has been a leader with Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Movimiento Cosecha, and the Undergraduate Student Government to expand resources, research, and justice for her community.
Aiysha Amjad
School of Science
Aiysha Amjad, a Purdue University School of Science graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to advocating for STEM education, refugee resettlement efforts, and increased access to dental care. Through meaningful involvement with local organizations such as The Stem Connection, Exodus Refugee, and the IU School of Dentistry, Aiysha has grown as a leader, optimistic that her valuable experiences working with diverse populations and missions will assist her in being a change maker in her community.
Ana Danner
School of Science
Ana Danner, a Purdue University School of Science graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to educating and empowering future generations of students through her work with the IU Health GOAL University Program and the IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) Honors College Peer Mentor Program. In addition to working as an EMT, she continually advocates for vulnerable populations and strives to promote equity and inclusion across society through her work with the IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) Alternative Break Program and Multicultural Leadership Empowerment Program.
Autumn Hodge
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Autumn Hodge, an Indiana University Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate from Monrovia, Indiana, is dedicated to serving the community by working with nonprofit organizations to address various social issues. Since coming to IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), Autumn has worked with nonprofits working to combat food insecurity, senior citizen engagement, and sustainability through agencies including Campus Kitchen at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), CICOA Aging Services, and the IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) Center for Service and Learning, where she has been able to build on valuable skills to use after graduation.
Sukhdeep Kaur
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and School of Liberal Arts
Sukhdeep Kaur, an Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a School of Liberal Arts graduate from Greenwood, Indiana, is dedicated to using her academic experiences to address community issues in Indianapolis. In the last four years, Sukhdeep has volunteered with Toastmasters International, Gurdwara, and Franciscan St. Francis Health. Sukhdeep has been a service member for these nonprofit organizations while collaborating with versatile individuals like prisoners, doctors, and community advocators.
Gretchen Leis
School of Science and School of Liberal Arts
Gretchen Leis, a Purdue School of Science and Indiana University School of Liberal Arts graduate from Salem, Indiana, has dedicated the last three years to compassionately serving Indianapolis hospice patients in their final stages of life. As a volunteer, Gretchen provides socialization, companionship and allows caregivers a break without leaving their loved ones alone. Gretchen believes that serving patients and their families though hospice is an emotionally meaningful, and gratifying experience that supports patients and families within the Indianapolis area through their most vulnerable times.
Kassandra Mejia
School of Science
Kassandra Mejia, a Purdue University School of Science graduate from Peru is dedicated to advocating for Spanish-speaking communities to help close the inequality gap they often face due to language barriers by working with Community Health. For over two years, Kassandra has been working with patients from different backgrounds at Eskenazi Health and has been assisting in delivering patient care through providing interpretation services for patients at Community Health.
Reggie Parker
School of Science
Reggie Parker, a Purdue University School of Science graduate from Albion, Indiana, is dedicated to the expansion of healthcare access in Indianapolis by working in the community through VIDA Health Partnerships. VIDA has allowed Reggie to volunteer by checking-in patients at the IU Student Outreach Clinic and educating elementary school children about health and nutrition through GOAL University. These undertakings have allowed Reggie to get direct experience assisting in the campaign towards health equity.
Caleb Shannon
School of Science
Caleb Shannon, a Purdue University School of Science graduate from Fremont, Indiana, is dedicated to serving underrepresented populations by performing in leadership. All four years of college have been dedicated to advocating for others through being a resident assistant, a member of the Chancellor’s Student Advisor Board, and the Jagathon 2022 president. All of these leadership opportunities have aided Caleb in trailblazing for underrepresented students in leadership such as African Americans and the LGBTQ+ community.
Sylvia Singh
School of Science
Sylvia Singh, a Purdue University School of Science graduate from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is dedicated to service learning and advocating for health equity. Since her second semester at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), Sylvia has been highly involved with students as a peer leader through Chemistry Peer-Led Team Learning and has been involved with VIDA Health Partnerships for three years. As President of VIDA, Sylvia focused on creating a collaborative community where students are passionate about healthcare service and advocacy.
Dua Tariq
School of Science
Dua Tariq, a Purdue University School of Science graduate from Brownsburg, Indiana, is dedicated to combatting and understanding the healthcare disparities that exist in marginalized communities. Working as a medical service-learning intern at Indiana University School of Medicine, Dua has supported capacity-building efforts at IUSM to increase and implement opportunities for civic engagement and public health initiatives. Her work and commitment to social justice have been pivotal in launching the federal grant-funded program IUSM, AmeriCorps.
Reece Thompson
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Reece Thompson, an Indiana University O’Neill School of Public Environmental Affairs graduate from Lebanon, Indiana, is dedicated to being a civic leader by creating and finding resources for issues in need. Reece has demonstrated this by restoring an African-American cemetery and working as a law enforcement officer. He also helped to create two organizations at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), Alpha Sigma Phi and Paw’s Closet. Reece deeply cares for his community and the well being of others.
Bri Youn
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Bri Youn, an Indiana University Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate from Fishers, Indiana, is dedicated to making sustainable change in her community for those who are less privileged, but not any less talented. Bri is committed to amplifying unrepresented voices by utilizing her passion of research, policy, and forever love of education through her various volunteer roles with student organizations both on and off campus.
Graduate recipients
Kevin Albert
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Kevin Albert, an Indiana University Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate from Brownsburg, Indiana, is dedicated to public service and serving his community, state, and nation. For eight years, Kevin has been a soldier in the Indiana Army National Guard where he has conducted missions ranging from training exercises in Japan to responding to COVID-19 in Indiana.
Alejandro Bolivar
School of Medicine
Alejandro Bolivar, an Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Venezuela, is dedicated to overcoming discrimination and inequities often present in the health care system. He has focused his work on the Latinx and other underserved communities while serving as the Clinic Manager at the IU Student Outreach Clinic, the cofounder of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, and the What Does It Mean to be Latinx? Project. Alejandro states that he is an amalgam of his family, friends, colleagues, and patients that he has interacted with in the past and strives to fight for their well-being and that of everyone else.
Sean Buehler
School of Medicine
Sean Buehler, a Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Carmel, Indiana, is dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized and impoverished patients, especially the homeless. For three years, Sean served on the Board of Directors of Beacon Bloomington’s most extensive poverty service organization, and helped start and eventually directed the Monroe County Isolation Shelter, which provided a safe and dignified COVID isolation location for South Central Indiana’s most vulnerable community members.
Michael Harding
School of Medicine
Michael Harding, an Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Tampa, Florida, is dedicated to addressing healthcare system reform, social inequities and increasing diversity in medicine. Michael has founded and serves as Chair for the Indiana State Medical Association Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion aimed at addressing healthcare disparities and increasing diversity. He established Walk with a Future Doc chapter in South Bend to promote healthy lifestyle habits in the community.
Sara Hindi
Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Sara Hindi, an Indiana University Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs graduate from Indianapolis, Indiana, is dedicated to ensuring that Indiana is an inclusive and welcoming state for everyone. Previously, she had served the refugee community in Indianapolis for seven years. She currently serves on two nonprofit boards: the American Civil Liberties Union and Women4Change. She is also a part of Class 4 for Hoosier Women Forward.
Maria Khan
School of Medicine
Maria Khan, an Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Avon, Indiana, is dedicated to community advocacy, public health, and mentorship. She served as a leader within multiple Indianapolis free clinics to improve the quality of care. As president of the Medical Student Council, she worked closely with school administration to advocate for supportive student experiences. Finally, she served as a mentor for undergraduates and medical students to encourage younger colleagues to continue work for underserved communities.
Eric Klipsch
School of Medicine
Eric Klipsch, a graduate of the Indiana University School of Medicine from Evansville, Indiana, has volunteered with organizations dedicated to providing free healthcare to the underserved populations of Indianapolis for nearly six years. As a board member at the Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic, he has devoted his efforts to helping patients enroll in affordable medical insurance plans and to creating new services that help patients overcome the barriers keeping them from receiving quality healthcare.
Vik Meadows
School of Medicine
Vik Meadows, an Indiana University School of Medicine PhD graduate from Houston, Texas, is dedicated to science accessibility, science education outreach, and science communication within the Indianapolis community through collaborations with Indiana Latino Institute and Christamore House. Outside of Indianapolis, Vik works with Behind our Science podcast to increase accessibility to scientific articles. She also co-founded Biochem Chat to increase representation in STEM and improve networking opportunities for minoritized graduate students across the United States.
Vitalis Osuji
School of Medicine
Vitalis Osuji, a Indiana University School of Medicine and Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health graduate from Boston, Massachusetts, is dedicated to mental wellness of physicians in Indianapolis through the Vital Healing Project organization. He is also invested in giving back to underserved communities, both here in Indianapolis and globally, through the 7 Elements at IUSM organization. During his time at IU, he has developed 7E partnerships with Fletcher Place Community Center and VHP partnerships with Crispus Attucks.
Luz Peredo-Muniz
School of Health & Human Sciences
Luz Peredo-Muniz, an Indiana University School of Health and Human Sciences graduate from Carmel, Indiana, is dedicated to increasing access to care for survivors of sexual violence, improving physical therapy services to underserved populations, and educating clinicians about trauma-informed care. Luz was a servant leader in IU Student Outreach Clinic’s PT program and facilitated the creation of the Intimate Partner Violence Screening Protocol, as well as the founding of the Women’s Health PT Clinic day.
Brycen Ratcliffe
School of Medicine
Brycen Ratcliffe, a Indiana University School of Medicine graduate from Newburgh, Indiana, is dedicated to increasing access to healthcare in Terre Haute by volunteering at Otter Creek Fire Department and the Mollie Wheat Memorial Clinic. For nearly six years, Brycen has been volunteering as an EMT firefighter, responding to emergency calls, and providing direct patient care, in addition to teaching classes and helping at the student-run free clinic.
Mariam Sylla
Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
Mariam Sylla, an Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health graduate from Conakry-Guinea, has been active at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) for six years. She dedicated her time to being a campus citizen serving through programs on campus such as International Peer Mentoring, Resident Assistant, Social Justice Education, Peer Health Education, University Hearing Commission, Regatta, Student government/organizations, where she developed outreach programs and presentations. She is also involved in communities in Indianapolis and Conakry.