Deena Aboul-Hassan is a senior at the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology, majoring in Movement Science and minoring in Writing, with plans to attend medical school in 2026. As Co-President of the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) NextGen, she plays a vital role in facilitating communication across chapters and supporting the growing presence of NAAMA NextGen chapters nationwide. In this role, Deena fosters connections between aspiring and established healthcare professionals by organizing nationwide conferences and events, helping Arab-Americans achieve their career goals.
Deena’s leadership in NAAMA NextGen aligns with her research on health disparities, as she explores how socioeconomic and cultural factors affect chronic illness management. She is the first author of the study “The Intersection of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Social and Occupational Environments among Black Adults: A Qualitative Study” published in the Disability and Health Journal. Currently, Deena is working on a global health equity project in collaboration with Tanta University in Egypt, developing educational materials on diabetic neuropathy to raise awareness about its early symptoms and the importance of prevention. This project reflects her deep passion for education and health literacy, as she believes accessible information is key to improving healthcare outcomes, especially in the Arab world.