Allies

Dr. Ishita Sunita Arora is an Associate Research Scientist at Yale University's Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Arora is a clinical and community psychologist who has worked with underserved and marginalized populations in the resource-limited settings of South Asia and the United States. Dr. Arora's research focuses on four core areas – (a) advancing health equity and evidence-based policy for women’s and maternal health, (b) promotion of girl empowerment and prevention of gender-based violence, (c) advancing anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice, and (d) equitable access and utilization of mental healthcare among historically minoritized communities. Dr. Arora has expertise in community-engaged participatory research, program development and evaluation, implementation science, and violence prevention and intervention in academic medicine, and community and not-for-profit organizations. Dr. Arora completed her predoctoral fellowship at Yale University’s Department of Psychiatry - The Consultation Center (TCC) and Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC). Dr. Arora earned her Ph.D. in Clinical and Community Psychology from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Liberal Studies and Leadership from Ashoka University, India. In India, she has worked as a therapist for street kids and unhoused families for the not-for-profit organization Salaam Baalak Trust. Dr. Arora’s work is guided by anti-racist, anti-casteist, anti-oppressive, and decolonial praxis.

Mustafa has graduated from Koç University School of Medicine in 2016 and is a physician by training. He is a Turkish Fulbright grantee, and currently pursuing Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Care Management degree at Yale School of Public Health. He has worked for a private not-for-profit hospital group as Patient Experience Office and CRM Manager for over 5 years before continuing his education at Yale. His professional interests include digital health, big data, and value-based healthcare.

Ally is a 2nd year student obtaining her Masters of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) at the School of Public Health and her Masters of Medical Science (MMSc) from the Yale Physician Associate Program. She has experience with biochemical research involving DNA/RNA nanoparticles as well as global qualitative research in the field of maternal and child health. Ally is a current National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholar and plans to work as a PA in primary care (pediatrics / OB/GYN).