Outreach Managing Editor

University of Maryland School of Medicine


Zelle is a third-year medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She is a a first-generation Cameroonian-American who grew up in Prince George’s County, MD. Zelle attended Towson University where she graduated from the Honors college with a BS in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, & Bioinformatics and a minor in Chemistry. Zelle believes diversifying the face of medicine is imperative to building a physician workforce that reflects the growing diversity of the American population, building patient satisfaction and trust, and fortifying quality care for an increasingly multicultural society. Zelle enjoys constantly reflecting on the diverse needs of patients in order to contribute to a clinician workface that can genuinely relate to patients from all backgrounds.

Seeing better healthcare in her hometown, PG County, and similar medically-underserved areas across the nation and worldwide motivates Zelle to do the work she does. Overall, she aspires to eradicate barriers to care for vulnerable and marginalized communities by providing medical care in a manner that consistently promotes respect of human dignity. By doing so, Zelle believes that we are one step closer to ensuring all Americans will have positive health outcomes, no matter the race, gender, or socioeconomic status. She believes this new generation of doctors are at the forefront of patient advocacy, impact, and advancing treatment and discovery. She nurtures a passion for the humanistic side of medicine and feels that as leaders, doctors must be catalysts in decision-making conversations that advocate for their patients. She ultimately hopes to use her skills, knowledge, and talents to help patients of all backgrounds live an optimal life.

Away from the books, Zelle serves as a leader of various groups that promote policy and health advocacy for minority populations, including the Student National Medical Association and MedChi The Maryland State Medical Society. Zelle enjoys community impact. Within the Maryland community, Zelle has tutored children with learning disabilities and students from immigrant backgrounds. She also has experience working with homeless populations, domestic violence victims, suicide hotline counseling, HIV/AIDS outreach and education, and more. She is the former President of her campus Christian Medical Society and actively remains involved with service at her church. Zelle loves dancing, exploring scenic attractions, and playing Softball. She is also an avid music lover and enjoys watching African movies. She hopes to facilitate an environment where minority students can initiate honest discussions about their experiences and be pillars of change, “so that we can all be the positive change we wish to see in the world.”