OUR STAFF
Dr. Jocelyn Freeman Garrick, Founder
Dr. Freeman Garrick was an undergraduate at UC Berkeley and attended medical school at the University of Southern California. She trained in Emergency Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Jacobi/Montefiore Emergency Medicine Residency Program in New York, serving as chief resident during her final year in 2001. She is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician who, after completing her residency, obtained a Masters in Science in Epidemiology from Cornell University. Dr. Freeman Garrick is currently an attending physician at Alameda County Medical Center- Highland Hospital in Oakland, California.
Dr. Freeman Garrick was an undergraduate at UC Berkeley and attended medical school at the University of Southern California. She trained in Emergency Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Jacobi/Montefiore Emergency Medicine Residency Program in New York, serving as chief resident during her final year in 2001. She is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician who, after completing her residency, obtained a Masters in Science in Epidemiology from Cornell University. Dr. Freeman Garrick is currently an attending physician at Alameda County Medical Center- Highland Hospital in Oakland, California.
Asha Vitatoe, Director
Asha Vitatoe received her B.A. from Emory University in African American Studies and has been working in Youth Development for the past eight years. She began working with youth in Atlanta and moved back to the Bay Area five years ago to continue that work. As a dedicated Youth Development professional she has worked hard to develop and deliver quality programming and mentorship. An Oakland native, Asha is passionate about working with young people to identify, pursue and achieve their goals for their future. Contact Ms. Vitatoe at avitatoe@mimscience.org.
Asha Vitatoe received her B.A. from Emory University in African American Studies and has been working in Youth Development for the past eight years. She began working with youth in Atlanta and moved back to the Bay Area five years ago to continue that work. As a dedicated Youth Development professional she has worked hard to develop and deliver quality programming and mentorship. An Oakland native, Asha is passionate about working with young people to identify, pursue and achieve their goals for their future. Contact Ms. Vitatoe at avitatoe@mimscience.org.
Denae Reed, Mentor Coordinator
Denae Reed has been a Physician Assistant for 18 years with a focus in Emergency Medicine and Forensic Examinations for Sexual Assault Victims. For the past 15 years she has worked at Alameda Health System, Highland Hospital in Oakland, California. Her other areas of clinical practice have included Women’s Health, Adolescent and Geriatric Care in the Bay Area. Mrs. Reed graduated from the 32nd PA Class at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, in Los Angeles, after receiving her B.S in Health Science, with a Minor in Human Biology from CSU, Hayward. She is an Oakland native, married, with 3 amazing children, and 1 grandchild. She finds her career to be very rewarding and enjoys going to work. She has a passion for mentoring, and enjoys traveling, spending time with family/ friends, and watching football /basketball at all levels. Contact Denae at dreed@mimscience.org.
Denae Reed has been a Physician Assistant for 18 years with a focus in Emergency Medicine and Forensic Examinations for Sexual Assault Victims. For the past 15 years she has worked at Alameda Health System, Highland Hospital in Oakland, California. Her other areas of clinical practice have included Women’s Health, Adolescent and Geriatric Care in the Bay Area. Mrs. Reed graduated from the 32nd PA Class at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, in Los Angeles, after receiving her B.S in Health Science, with a Minor in Human Biology from CSU, Hayward. She is an Oakland native, married, with 3 amazing children, and 1 grandchild. She finds her career to be very rewarding and enjoys going to work. She has a passion for mentoring, and enjoys traveling, spending time with family/ friends, and watching football /basketball at all levels. Contact Denae at dreed@mimscience.org.
Mareme Diakhate, Program Coordinator
Mareme was born in Senegal and grew up in Oakland, CA. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College of CA where she earned her B.S. in Health Science. She participated in the MIMS Healthy Ambassador Program (HAP) during high school. Her participation in the program exposed her to the health inequalities in her communities. After HAP, she joined many more pre-health programs, such as Stanford HCOP and Health Career Connection, which have increased her interest in health and social service work. Prior to her position at MIMS. Mareme worked for different nonprofit organizations in the area, These experiences have increased her interest in health and non-profit work. Mareme is also passionate about social justice and public health. Outside of work, she enjoys being around family and friends, cooking and catching up on her shows. She is excited to utilize her background, in both health science and social service work in her role as a MIMS Program Coordinator, . Contact Mareme at mdiakhate@mimscience.org.
Mareme was born in Senegal and grew up in Oakland, CA. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College of CA where she earned her B.S. in Health Science. She participated in the MIMS Healthy Ambassador Program (HAP) during high school. Her participation in the program exposed her to the health inequalities in her communities. After HAP, she joined many more pre-health programs, such as Stanford HCOP and Health Career Connection, which have increased her interest in health and social service work. Prior to her position at MIMS. Mareme worked for different nonprofit organizations in the area, These experiences have increased her interest in health and non-profit work. Mareme is also passionate about social justice and public health. Outside of work, she enjoys being around family and friends, cooking and catching up on her shows. She is excited to utilize her background, in both health science and social service work in her role as a MIMS Program Coordinator, . Contact Mareme at mdiakhate@mimscience.org.
Starkeshia Jammer, Program Coordinator
Starkeshia Jammer was born and raised in East Palo Alto, CA. She graduated from California State University East Bay with a B.S. in Biology. This accomplishment made her the first in her family to graduate from college. Since then, she has been encouraging and motivating others to pursue a higher education. Her passion for medicine developed at an early age, and all throughout high school and college, she was intentional about getting medical exposure. She participated in MIMS Summer Internship and the Healthy Ambassador programs which helped her solidify her career aspiration of becoming a Physician Assistant. After her Mentoring in Medicine & Science program participation she was awarded a scholarship through the Alameda County Health Pipeline Partnership to continue her education. Within months, she became a certified Emergency Medical Technician. Ms. Jammer believes that everyone needs at least one person who believes in them, and she strives to be that one for the students she works with at MIMS. Contact Starkeshia at sjammer@mimscience.org
Starkeshia Jammer was born and raised in East Palo Alto, CA. She graduated from California State University East Bay with a B.S. in Biology. This accomplishment made her the first in her family to graduate from college. Since then, she has been encouraging and motivating others to pursue a higher education. Her passion for medicine developed at an early age, and all throughout high school and college, she was intentional about getting medical exposure. She participated in MIMS Summer Internship and the Healthy Ambassador programs which helped her solidify her career aspiration of becoming a Physician Assistant. After her Mentoring in Medicine & Science program participation she was awarded a scholarship through the Alameda County Health Pipeline Partnership to continue her education. Within months, she became a certified Emergency Medical Technician. Ms. Jammer believes that everyone needs at least one person who believes in them, and she strives to be that one for the students she works with at MIMS. Contact Starkeshia at sjammer@mimscience.org
Maritza Gomez, Mentor Associate
Maritza Gomez is a U.C. Berkeley graduate who studied community health and healthcare. Maritza grew up in a small coastal town in south San Diego near the U.S.-Mexico border. From a young age, Maritza developed a passion for understanding the complexities of healthcare and its relation to health disparities within minority communities. Her education at Cal has only helped solidify her aspirations and motivated her to pursue a career assisting underrepresented communities. She is a MIMS Summer Internship alumni and has been volunteering at MIMS since Fall of 2016. After graduating from Cal, Maritza plans to pursue a master’s in public health with the hopes of working within the administration/management sector of a health facility. Contact Maritza at intern@mimscience.org.
Maritza Gomez is a U.C. Berkeley graduate who studied community health and healthcare. Maritza grew up in a small coastal town in south San Diego near the U.S.-Mexico border. From a young age, Maritza developed a passion for understanding the complexities of healthcare and its relation to health disparities within minority communities. Her education at Cal has only helped solidify her aspirations and motivated her to pursue a career assisting underrepresented communities. She is a MIMS Summer Internship alumni and has been volunteering at MIMS since Fall of 2016. After graduating from Cal, Maritza plans to pursue a master’s in public health with the hopes of working within the administration/management sector of a health facility. Contact Maritza at intern@mimscience.org.