Loan Mitigation Pilot Program: 2022 Recipients
The ASN Loan Mitigation Pilot Program (LMPP) aims to reduce the loan burden of future nephrology leaders.
Justin L. Bullock, MD, MPH
Dr. Bullock is an incoming nephrology fellow at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, he completed his undergraduate studies in Chemical-Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology followed by medical school and residency at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Bullock is passionate about medical education research; narrative medicine; and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. He is ecstatic to begin his nephrology fellowship and is open to exploring many nephrology interests.
Juan Moreno-Ortiz, MD
Dr. Moreno-Ortiz is a PGY-3 internal medicine resident at the University of Arizona and a proud incoming nephrology fellow at UC Davis. Born in Mexico, Dr. Moreno-Ortiz grew up along the United States-Mexico border in Mission, TX. As a result, he experienced many of the challenges afflicting immigrant populations in healthcare and education. Dr. Moreno-Ortiz was an active member of the International Learning Community at Loyola University Chicago. While there, he mentored students of diverse backgrounds and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
Dr. Moreno-Ortiz went on to obtain his medical degree at Texas A&M College of Medicine, where he served as executive officer of Martha's Clinic, a free, student-run clinic for the uninsured population. He also sought opportunities to visit patients of low resources as a delegate of Embracing Health. Dr. Moreno-Ortiz is graduating from his internal medicine residency at the University of Arizona with distinction in Spanish Language Healthcare Disparities and plans to continue championing minorities by advocating for health equity as he pursues his career as a nephrologist.
Dr. Moreno-Ortiz's interests include hiking, playing the piano, reading, boardgames, and learning Mandarin Chinese.
Ana Solis Zavala, MD
Dr. Zavala was born in Mexico City but grew up in Houston, Texas. She later moved to Austin, Texas, to complete her undergraduate studies. After college, Dr. Zavala worked at Disney World before returning to Houston, Texas, for medical school.
Dr. Zavala always knew she wanted to be a pediatrician and moved to St. Louis to complete her Pediatric Residency. She is excited to pursue her Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship in Chicago. Dr. Zavala enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with her friends and family.
Gabriel J. Torres-Rivera, MD
Dr. Torres-Rivera is an internal medicine resident at the VA Caribbean Healthcare Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he also gets to enjoy the beach. Born and raised in Aibonito, a small town in the mountains of the island, Dr. Torres-Rivera was always a constant and curious learner. He attributes his love of science to his mother, an elementary school teacher, and his grandfather, a science teacher.
Dr. Torres-Rivera completed his bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. While there, he discovered his passion for human physiology and medicine. Dr. Torres-Rivera went on to pursue a doctoral degree in medicine at Ponce Health Sciences University. While in medical school, he faced many challenges, including Hurricane Maria, which destroyed half of Puerto Rico, and a testicular cancer diagnosis. Nevertheless, Dr. Torres-Rivera earned his doctoral degree. He plans to complete his residency in internal medicine with the same enthusiasm and curiosity and continue his journey by starting a fellowship in nephrology.
Dr. Torres-Rivera's current areas of interest are diuretic resistance, chronic kidney disease, and vascular access health and accessibility. He also loves cars and used to work as a technician while in college. On weekends and post-call days, Dr. Torres-Rivera can be found working on his Jeep or by the beach.
Manuel Urra, MD
Dr. Urra was born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, grew up in Miami, Florida, and attended medical school at Creighton University. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Colorado. During residency, Dr. Urra developed a passionate interest in medical education and nephrology. He will be starting a nephrology fellowship at the University of Colorado in the next year and is eager to work with underserved populations after his training. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Urra enjoys weightlifting, cycling, and, above all, spending time with his wife Claire, newborn daughter Esme, and tiny pup Missy.
Anna E. Williams, MD
Dr. Williams grew up in Seneca, a small town outside Clemson in upstate South Carolina. After completing all her formal education in South Carolina, she received her B.S. from Clemson University and her M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Williams later moved to Durham, NC, and has spent the past five years at Duke for her pediatrics residency, research year, and chief residency. She is excited to remain at Duke and join the Division of Pediatric Nephrology as a fellow this summer, as she has thoroughly enjoyed working with the faculty and fellows in both a clinical and research capacity.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Williams enjoys making gourmet ice cream—banana white chocolate is her personal favorite—and attending as many Clemson football games as her busy schedule allows. She is thankful to have been chosen as part of the ASN Loan Mitigation Pilot Program and greatly appreciates the impact this award will have on her future!