JP2 Newman Foundation Alumni

Because today's students will become tomorrow's leaders, the mission of the JP2 Newman Foundation is to offer all students attending the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) with projects, programs and experiences that will enhance and motivate their civic pride, community involvement and family values.

Listed below are UIC/JP2 alumni including a description of their academic interests, their involvement with the JP2 Newman Foundation and what they are currently doing to positively influence the community in which they work.

Nilofer Kidiwala

Liberal Arts and Sciences
B.A. in Spanish
Graduation in Spring 2007

UIC Involvement:

Society of Future Physicians (volunteer chair), New Life Volunteering Society (health education chairperson), JP2 Mentoring Club
                                       
Currently Serving the Community: 
Nilofer's role in the Mesa, AZ community is through the medical school she is attending. Her current projects include working on initiating volunteer programs in hospitals and starting a Cancer Walk/Run. Nilofer states: "We're a brand new med school so there is a lot to do but not so many already existing resources."     
                                        
This year, all 107 students in the med school worked in various Community Health Centers around the nation. These clinics are located in medically underserved populations where patients receive healthcare, dental care, mental care, drugs, etc. all for free or on a sliding scale. It is medicine geared towards that specific community because over 51% of the board of the clinic must be patients at the clinic; "so patients are really running the show."
  
Nilfoer states: "I am currently working in a medically underserved area in California where about 80% of the population does not have adequate access to healthcare; its a pretty staggering number. I'm really excited to help and make a difference."

Krista L. McClain

Honors College and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Magna Cum Laude
B.S. in Biochemistry
Graduation in Spring 2007

UIC Involvement:  President - Society of Future Physicians, University Relations Colleges Against Cancer (Chair/Co-Relay Chair), New Life Volunteering Society, Honors College (Consultant Coordinator), DuPage Prevention Partnership, JP2 Mentoring Club

JP2 Newman Foundation Involvement: 
Krista played a significant role in the development and successful execution of the JP2 Newman Foundation's "Spring into Health" 2007 Health Fair at Saint Ann Catholic School in Pilsen.

Currently Serving the Community: 
As of August 2007, Krista has been teaching at Harward-Westlake School in North Hollywood. There she is teaching tenth grade chemistry and coaching cross country, soccer, and track.

Sandy Tsao

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
BA in Communication
Graduation in December 2008

UIC Involvement:     UIC Ambassadors, Communication Society, SAFC (Student Activities Funding Committee) , UIC Army ROTC, JP2 Mentoring Club

Currently Serving the Community:     Sandy has a long record of service experiences including, but not limited to: the Navy Pier's Chicago Children's Museum, The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, the South-East Asia Center, St. Luke's Rush-Presbyterian Hospital, KAN-WIN (Korean American Women In Need), and the St. Vincent dePaul Center.  She enjoys working with school-age children who have the propensity to learn just about anything their heart's desire.  Sandy will be serving in the military for 6 years of active duty as a Military Police officer.  During this time, in addition to taking care of the soldiers who serve our country, she intends to explore her options regarding receiving a B.S. in math or the natural sciences.  Sandy states: "After my service requirements are up, I will probably consider renewing my contract or looking for a job that involves teaching children practical skills in life."