Meet the team

sUPPORTIVE TEAM

ALBERT WU, MD, MPH

PRESIDENT

Dr. Wu is the Fred and Juliet Soper Professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a renowned healthcare expert with BA and MD degrees from Cornell. His commitment to advancing healthcare equity is reflected in his clinical practice and community initiatives.

Learn more

JANICE DENISE GENTRY, BS, MPA

VICE PRESIDENT

Janice, from East Baltimore, is a mother of 6 with over 40 years of community advocacy. She held various roles on local boards, focusing on enhancing community life. She enjoys family time, supporting the community, and mentoring youth.

Emily Kumpf

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Emily Kumpf is a research associate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the Department of Health Policy and Management. She is a core faculty member of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention and part of the non-profit Baltimore CONNECT team. Emily’s work emphasizes community-engaged research methods with a focus on implementation science and dissemination, advocacy and health equity, and increasing community access to resources.

Alex Aldana

Program Assistant

I am Alex Aldana, a Mexican American from Houston, TX, and a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University majoring in molecular and cellular biology with a minor in psychology. I love to engage in my community and have enjoyed becoming familiar with the city and towns within Baltimore.

Fábio Baueb Soler

Academy volunteer

Fábio Baueb Soler is a Brazilian physician specializing in Acupuncture and Pain Management.

In Sao Paulo, Brazil, worked with NGO that provided health care to vulnerable populations and training to healthcare students.

Now he is a Master of Public Health candidate in Johns Hopkins University and looking forward to help translating academic knowledge into community progress.

Patricia Barger

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mrs. Patricia, a Baltimore native, has served the city for 46 years with commitment. She holds degrees in Mental Health and Business Administration, currently pursuing a Doctorate. As the new Executive Director, she leads with experience in developing group homes, support groups, foster parent training, and more.

LEON C. PURNELL

TREASURER

Mr. Purnell, a lifelong East Baltimore resident. With experience as a counselor and therapist, he became the Men's Center director in 1997. Mr. Purnell impacts health disparities by providing assessments, teaching life skills, and offering support to strengthen families.

Veena Thamilselva

Program Administrator

Veena contributes her skills and passion to Baltimore CONNECT since the very beginning. She has played a crucial role in administrative operations, ensuring smooth processes and effective resource management. Veena excels at helping community members navigate challenges by fostering collaboration and providing guidance on addressing various issues. Her background in international health systems and public health informs her approach to de-siloing resources, driving greater impact within the community.

Avery Mentzinger

Program Assistant

Avery Mentzinger is a public health student at Johns Hopkins University. She comes to Baltimore from Portland, Maine and hopes to become a community focused physician in the future. Avery is interested in studying social determinants of health, and looking at the accessibility of the health care systems, especially in regard to reproductive & women’s health.

Mimi Avril

Program Assistant

Mimi Avril is a dedicated and compassionate advocate for community health and clinical research. As an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University, Mimi is majoring in Public Health and Psychology. With a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in healthcare, Mimi has held key roles at the Central Baltimore Partnership and Martha's Place, where she honed her skills in grant writing, community health outreach, and case management.

Chevelle Bash

CHW GRANT PROGRAM MANAGER

Dedicated to promoting health and building community partnerships for underserved populations for over 20 years, she specializes in addressing SDOH, lead poisoning, asthma, and healthy homes and collaborates with United Healthcare, Baltimore Healthy Start, Coventry Healthcare, St. Agnes Hospital.

Elyce Bloomfield

CHW Supervisor

With a passion for community engagement and a background in public health, Elyce found her calling in leading teams to implement impactful health programs that emphasize empowerment, education, and equity. Outside of work, Elyce is dedicated to her family and restoring her home in west Baltimore.

Minli Guo

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

With a master's of Marketing analytics from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Minli brings her knowledge and expertise to the Baltimore community, with a strong commitment to understanding the needs of Baltimore residents. As a Marketing Analyst in the biotechnology sector, she is more involved in the healthcare industry and infectious diseases.

Niharika Lnu

vOLUNTEER

Niharika is a research assistant at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the Department of International Health. With a strong foundation in clinical dentistry and experience in public health research, she has dedicated her work to advancing maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in underserved communities. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, and skilled in Stata and R, Niharika is committed to enhancing healthcare access and quality through research and public health initiatives.