Advancing equitable pediatric healthcare and empowering underserved communities.
Rania is from Hawthorne, California, where her own experiences in the hospital and healthcare systems inspired a lifelong commitment to helping others feel seen, supported, and empowered. After returning to the hospital as a volunteer, she discovered a passion for compassionate healthcare, learning that healing often begins with simple acts of presence, kindness, and trust. She has carried that philosophy into every aspect of her leadership, including co-founding Selam Connection, a nonprofit that connects Ethiopian American youth through mentorship, cultural traditions, and community, growing the organization to serve more than 100 participants. Her commitment to health equity also led her to UCLA’s Health Justice Scholars Program, where she conducted research on barriers to mental healthcare and explored culturally responsive approaches to public health. Rania will attend the University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to study nursing and public health with the goal of building healthier, more equitable communities. Guided by the belief that lasting change is cultivated—not created overnight—she is dedicated to building the foundations that help individuals and communities thrive.
Leadership:
- Business Director, FRC Team #4201
- Intern, Kaiser Permanente
- Volunteer, Torrance Memorial Medical Center
