The J.W. Vines Foundation will host a celebratory banquet on Thursday, August 14, 2025, to honor the graduating cohort of the 23rd annual Elma Vines Summer Health Academy (EVSHA). 

The event will recognize college students who completed the intensive five-week program designed to mentor and inspire the next generation of medical professionals from the Inland Empire.

The banquet will take place at 6:00 p.m. and will feature presentations from the students, who will share their experiences and key findings from the program. 

This year's academy provided students with paid opportunities to shadow surgeons, pediatricians, general practitioners, and other medical specialists in the region, offering a unique, hands-on look into the medical field.

EVSHA is a flagship program of the J.W. Vines Medical Society and its philanthropic arm, the J.W. Vines Foundation. 

For more than two decades, the academy has been instrumental in creating a pathway for local college students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue careers in health sciences.

“This banquet is not just a celebration of the students' hard work over the summer; it's a celebration of our community's future in healthcare,” said Dr. A.J. Rogers, Chairman of the J.W. Vines Foundation. 

“We invite the community to join us, hear directly from these bright and motivated individuals, and support our ongoing mission to cultivate a diverse and dedicated physician workforce for the Inland Empire,” Rogers added. 

The event serves as an opportunity for community members, local leaders, and healthcare professionals to engage with the students and learn more about the impact of the J.W. Vines programs, providing service to Black and other underserved communities.

Event Details:

·       What: 2025 Elma Vines Summer Health Academy (EVSHA) Banquet

·       When: Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. PDT

·       Where: Canyon Crest Country Club, 975 Country Club Dr., Riverside, CA 92506

·       Tickets: Available for purchase online via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-evsha-banquet-tickets-1538360952019

Proceeds from the banquet will support the J.W. Vines Foundation and its continued efforts to fund mentorship and educational programs.

About the Elma Vines Summer Health Academy (EVSHA): For 23 years, EVSHA has provided a five-week, paid summer immersion program for college students interested in health careers. Operated by the J.W. Vines Foundation, the academy offers invaluable physician-shadowing opportunities, professional development, and mentorship to cultivate future healthcare leaders from and for the Inland Empire. 

Intern bios

Alana Gibbs  

Alana Gibbs is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a recent graduate of Miles College located in Birmingham, Alabama, majoring in Biology Pre-Med. Growing up, Alana was taught that as people, we are obligated to use our skills and strengths to make a difference and help others. This lesson has drawn her to pursue a career in medicine, and has inspired her involvement in her community as well as at her institution.  

 As a student, Alana served as the Senior Class President for her graduating class. She worked closely with the administration to plan activities for students and advocated for the needs and wants of her peers to ensure students had enjoyable experiences as prospective graduates. Also, as a volunteer at her local food bank, the Good Samaritan Center, she works closely with owners to organize customer documents, maintain accurate records, and assist customers with their overall experience.  

Alana’s unique blend of compassion, integrity, and adaptability will enable her to excel as an intern. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, exercising, and baking. 

Ayanna McAlister    

Ayanna McAlister is a fifth-year Biology student at California State University, San Bernardino. She aspires to become an OB-GYN, where she can serve and advocate for underserved communities, particularly Black women and children in the Inland Empire, to advance Black maternal health. Her interest in this work stems from hearing her own mother’s traumatic childbirth experiences, which sparked her commitment to providing equal opportunity care for Black women.

Ayanna currently serves as the ASI Vice President of Finance and previously held the role of Vice President of the Medical and Pre-Health Student Society (MAPSS) in 2024. She has been a student leader since 2022, using her voice to advocate for student needs and equity in higher education. Her background as a Pre-health Student Advisor and volunteer in educational settings shows her dedication to helping others feel that their healthcare career goals are achievable. 

Outside of academics, Ayanna enjoys creating digital content and using social media to inspire and connect with others. As a Black woman, she challenges the idea that Black women must fit into the boxes society creates and aims to show that Black women can thrive beyond those boxes, pursuing success on their terms. 

Hana Roble 

From Chino Hills, CA, Hana is a 2023 Biology graduate from the University of California, Riverside. Hana developed an interest in medicine through her family's limited access to medical care in Somalia and her lived experiences navigating the healthcare system as a pediatric patient at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Hana hopes to become a physician to study the development of chronic diseases and how medicine can improve the health and quality of life of marginalized communities. 

This past year, Hana served as a volunteer “Health Coach” at a Riverside Community Health Center, where she aided 12 patients looking for additional help in managing a chronic disease. By utilizing motivational interviewing techniques, Hana was able to 

listen to systemic barriers that directly impact a patient’s health and assist the patient in setting and completing health goals. Hana is currently a Master of Public Health (MPH) student studying Urban Health Disparities at Charles R. Drew University of Science and Medicine, where she will soon begin public health field work. Additionally, Hana will serve as the Secretary for the 20252026 Public Health Student Association. 

Hana’s interest in community building traces back to her undergraduate experiences, where she was able to serve as a Resident Advisor to 68 first-year students, a College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) Science Ambassador who led multiple tours during Highlander Days and Transfer-fests, and as a decathlon coach for middle school students at Riverside STEM Academy for the “Disease Detectives” group. Hana was able to lead her students to secure 1st and 2nd place in their division at the annual Science Olympiad competition. She returned to coach “Disease Detectives” and “Ecology” the following year. Hana hopes to become a family medicine provider to address the health concerns of underrepresented communities.  

In her free time, Hana enjoys trying new restaurants–more importantly, matcha spots–hanging out with friends and family, listening to music, and going on hikes to beat her daily step records. 

Keith Colder 

Keith (KJ) Adeyemi Colder is a third-year Biology major at the illustrious Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; originally from Pomona, California, now residing in Upland, California. Keith is a member of Morehouse’s Ultimate Frisbee team, where he serves as the Social Media Chair. Notably, this team became the first in HBCU history to win a sanctioned game of Ultimate Frisbee. He’s also involved in the Atlanta University Center (AUC), a California Club, representing students from the West Coast.  

Outside of campus, Keith works as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), assisting individuals with mental and physical disabilities to improve their quality of life. He has also volunteered at Western University as a simulation patient for medical students. Keith is exploring his interests in orthopedic surgery and radiology, inspired by his grandfather, a former football player who suffered a paralyzing arm injury. His goal is to become a healer for those facing similar challenges. Keith is driven by a desire to break barriers and be a role model for Black men and boys. He is passionate about showing that they, too, can thrive in positions of power and excel in roles they are often excluded from or discouraged from pursuing. 

Sarah Peters 

Sarah Peters is a 2024 graduate from the University of California, Riverside (UCR), obtaining her bachelor’s degree in biology, who furthered her academic preparation with a 4.0 GPA during a post-baccalaureate year at Norco Community College (2024-2025), where she was also an embedded tutor for Microbiology. Her foundational experience includes her role as a Certified Nurse Assistant since 2020, where she primarily supports elderly patients with Dementia, Alzheimer's, and those in hospice care. This commitment to healthcare stems from her personal experience caring for her father, who had ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).  

Beyond her direct patient care, Sarah has actively engaged in both academic and community leadership roles. At UCR, she served as Dance Captain and Event Coordinator for the Nigerian Student Association, helping to foster a safe and inclusive environment for her peers. Her dedication to learning and research is further evidenced by her six-month volunteer position in the Cavallero Lab at Charles Drew University, where she learned introductory lab techniques, such as imaging immunofluorescence through complex microscopes. That being said, she is an aspiring Internal Medicine Physician, and her journey is characterized by a blend of academic rigor and compassionate service, driven by a desire to serve her community both locally and in Nigeria. Outside of her professional pursuits, Sarah enjoys activities like going to the movies, learning her native tongue, shopping, bible study with friends, and dancing, of course!