2020-2021 Executive Board

Ryan Weishaar
Executive Director
Hello! My name is Ryan Weishaar and I am from Olathe, Kansas. I am a senior studying Exercise Science with a minor in Healthcare Management. I am also on the pre-med track and hope to go on medical missions some day. I have been involved with this organization since my freshman year and it has been a phenomenal experience so far. I have had the opportunity to go on 1 brigade and I would urge anyone who is a pre-health major of any kind to consider being a part of the Jayhawk Health Initiative! Please email me at ryanweishaar@ku.edu with any questions!
Executive Director
Hello! My name is Ryan Weishaar and I am from Olathe, Kansas. I am a senior studying Exercise Science with a minor in Healthcare Management. I am also on the pre-med track and hope to go on medical missions some day. I have been involved with this organization since my freshman year and it has been a phenomenal experience so far. I have had the opportunity to go on 1 brigade and I would urge anyone who is a pre-health major of any kind to consider being a part of the Jayhawk Health Initiative! Please email me at ryanweishaar@ku.edu with any questions!

Jennifer Duepner
Associate Director
Hi! My name is Jennifer Duepner and I am a senior majoring in Human Biology with a minor in Psychology. My goal for the future is to become a physician assistant and travel to underserved populations to help those in need. I went on our Brigade to Panama in 2019 and it was amazing! I have loved being a part of this organization and helping out within our community and beyond.
Associate Director
Hi! My name is Jennifer Duepner and I am a senior majoring in Human Biology with a minor in Psychology. My goal for the future is to become a physician assistant and travel to underserved populations to help those in need. I went on our Brigade to Panama in 2019 and it was amazing! I have loved being a part of this organization and helping out within our community and beyond.

Noah Schneiders
Associate Director
Associate Director
Jonathan Zhang
Secretary & Treasurer
Hey Everyone! My name is Jonathan Zhang and I'm a senior from Overland Park, Kansas. I serve as the Secretary-Treasurer for Jayhawk Health Initiative. I went on a medical brigade trip to Panama in 2019 and it was life changing. I am majoring in biology and hope to become a radiation oncologist in the future.
Secretary & Treasurer
Hey Everyone! My name is Jonathan Zhang and I'm a senior from Overland Park, Kansas. I serve as the Secretary-Treasurer for Jayhawk Health Initiative. I went on a medical brigade trip to Panama in 2019 and it was life changing. I am majoring in biology and hope to become a radiation oncologist in the future.
Michelle Bui
Co-Chair of Local Branch Hi everyone! My name is Michelle Bui and I’m a Pre-Dental junior majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) with a Business Minor. I first joined JHI my freshman year and was part of the brigade to Panama. I loved every minute of it, but I especially enjoyed helping in the dental clinic and being a Runner in between stations. JHI is a fantastic way for pre-health students of all backgrounds to get involved around campus. It’s also a great way to expand your worldview of what healthcare is like outside of the US. If you’re passionate about healthcare and giving back to your community, then JHI is the place for you! |
Jody Cho
Co-Chair of Local Branch
Co-Chair of Local Branch
Amy Crouse
Chair of Events, Social Media, & Outreach
Chair of Events, Social Media, & Outreach

Adrian Blanco
Co-Chair of Development
Hi my name is Adrian Blanco and I am a junior on the pre-med track majoring in cellular, molecular, and developmental biology. I am the co-chair of development of Jayhawk Health Initiative, a member of the Multicultural Scholars Program, an Honors Peer Mentor, a resident assistant on Daisy Hill, and a member of both the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity and the Beta Sigma Psi Fraternity. I enjoy volunteering at the Jaydoc Free Clinic and playing soccer for the KU Men's Club Soccer Team!
Co-Chair of Development
Hi my name is Adrian Blanco and I am a junior on the pre-med track majoring in cellular, molecular, and developmental biology. I am the co-chair of development of Jayhawk Health Initiative, a member of the Multicultural Scholars Program, an Honors Peer Mentor, a resident assistant on Daisy Hill, and a member of both the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity and the Beta Sigma Psi Fraternity. I enjoy volunteering at the Jaydoc Free Clinic and playing soccer for the KU Men's Club Soccer Team!
Preston Frazier
Co-Chair of Development
Hello! My name is Preston Frazier and I am a Junior from Overland Park, KS studying Exercise Science. After college my goal is to attend Medical School and hopefully be involved with some sort of surgical specialty. This is my second year being a part of Jayhawk Brigade, but unfortunately due to COVID-19, our trip last year was cancelled. I am eager to go on our trip in the spring to help those in need. In my free time I enjoy Playing basketball, listening to music, and playing piano!
Co-Chair of Development
Hello! My name is Preston Frazier and I am a Junior from Overland Park, KS studying Exercise Science. After college my goal is to attend Medical School and hopefully be involved with some sort of surgical specialty. This is my second year being a part of Jayhawk Brigade, but unfortunately due to COVID-19, our trip last year was cancelled. I am eager to go on our trip in the spring to help those in need. In my free time I enjoy Playing basketball, listening to music, and playing piano!
Sheza Faruqi
Co-Chair of Fundraising Hi! My name is Sheza Faruqi and I am a senior studying Exercise Science. I grew up in Olathe, KS, although I am originally a proud immigrant. My goal after my time at KU is to attend Physician Assistant school and specialize in dermatology. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this organization because it fosters values of serving others and learning from new experiences. In my free time, I enjoy weight-lifting, hiking, painting, volunteering for Crisis Text Line, traveling, and spending time with my loved ones. |
Emily Gudino
Co-Chair of Fundraising
Hello! My name is Emily Gudino and I’m from Kansas City, Kansas. I’m a senior studying Psychology on track to graduate in the spring with a Global Awareness certificate. I like to be involved on campus; serving on the social media team for Her Campus KU, a member of KU Women in Medicine, and KU Pre-PA club. My goal is to become a Physician Assistant and help vulnerable underserved communities. I would urge anyone who is passionate about healthcare and giving back to their community to consider being a part of the Jayhawk Health Initiative!
Co-Chair of Fundraising
Hello! My name is Emily Gudino and I’m from Kansas City, Kansas. I’m a senior studying Psychology on track to graduate in the spring with a Global Awareness certificate. I like to be involved on campus; serving on the social media team for Her Campus KU, a member of KU Women in Medicine, and KU Pre-PA club. My goal is to become a Physician Assistant and help vulnerable underserved communities. I would urge anyone who is passionate about healthcare and giving back to their community to consider being a part of the Jayhawk Health Initiative!

Hunter Woosley
Co-Chair of Medicine & Dental
Hello! My name is Hunter Woosley and I am a sophomore studying Biochemistry and Physics here at KU. I recently went on my first global brigade last summer, and I can easily say it was the highlight of my summer. As the Co-chair or Provider Recruitment, my responsibilities include recruiting different physicians to join us on our brigade. We try to bring several different physicians with us, such as dentists, optometrist, and Family-care specialists. Outside of JHI, I enjoy playing soccer, binge watching movies and TV shows, and sampling different restaurants.
Co-Chair of Medicine & Dental
Hello! My name is Hunter Woosley and I am a sophomore studying Biochemistry and Physics here at KU. I recently went on my first global brigade last summer, and I can easily say it was the highlight of my summer. As the Co-chair or Provider Recruitment, my responsibilities include recruiting different physicians to join us on our brigade. We try to bring several different physicians with us, such as dentists, optometrist, and Family-care specialists. Outside of JHI, I enjoy playing soccer, binge watching movies and TV shows, and sampling different restaurants.
Hayden Hawks
Co-Chair of Medicine & Dental
Co-Chair of Medicine & Dental
Elena Lemke
Co-Chair of Provider Recruitment Hi! My name is Elena Lemke and I am from Garden City, Kansas. I am a sophomore majoring in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology on the Pre-Medicine Track. After college, my goal is to be physician practicing in underserved rural communities. This is my second year involved in Jayhawk Health Initiative and I cannot wait for this years' experience! Outside of school, I enjoy running, sleeping, watching Netflix, and cooking. If you have any questions about my JHI experience, feel free to contact me at eslemke01@ku.edu |
Olyvia Young
Co-Chair of Provider Recruitment Hello! My name is Olyvia Young and I’m from Kansas City, Missouri. I am a sophomore double majoring in human biology and Spanish with a minor in astrobiology on the pre-medicine track. I first joined JHI as a brigader my freshman year, but was unable to attend due to the current circumstances. However, I loved the time I spent preparing for the brigade and knew I wanted to contribute more to the organization. In addition to JHI and school, I also like to spend my free time painting, reading, and watching movies! |