2025 Health Policy Academy Fellows Spotlights
Pooja Dave, MD
Program: Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital
Pooja Dave, a third-year EM resident, is deeply committed to understanding all the ways she can help not only patients, but also the profession. In addition to serving as a 2025 Health Policy Academy fellow, she is an EMRA Critical Care Committee leader. Her goals as a leader – both in critical care medicine and health policy – focus on quality care, community involvement, and lifelong learning. Success, she says, requires one to be “able, affable, and available.” Dr. Dave has published multiple papers and presented posters and abstracts at national conferences. She enjoys Indian classical dance, running, hiking, knitting, reading, and board games.
Robert Dunn, MD
Program: University of Maryland
Now in his final year of residency, Robert Dunn has become well-versed in representing emergency medicine trainees. An active member of EMRA, AAEM, ACEP, and the American Medical Association, Dr. Dunn started learning the ropes of health policy as a means to support and enhance the house of medicine. He believes in the power of each individual physician to effect change – through collaborative effort and engagement at every level, departmental all the way up to national stages. Health equity remains one of his passions, and as a first-generation physician, he is committed to serving the most vulnerable patients.
Leah Grinshpun, DO, MPH
Program: George Washington University
Leah Grinshpun, a member of GWU’s EM Class of 2028, brings a wide scope of experience to her role as a policy advocate. She has combined a master’s degree in public health with years of volunteer service to build her advocacy skills. In her master’s degree capstone project, she detailed the many factors affecting Ukrainian public health, demonstrating her ability to “communicate complex findings to stakeholders, bridging the gap between research and practical application.” Dr. Grinshpun has been a leader for SOMA, a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and a Vot-ER health captain. She is a 2026 Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee.
Samantha Powell, DO, MPH
Program: Medical College of Wisconsin
Samantha Powell, PGY2, believes in the power of advocacy to achieve equitable health care – a longtime goal as she has studied and worked in public health. Her service has focused on clear, accessible messaging as way of activating grassroots advocacy. She has worked with the Iowa Public Health Association to achieve state-level progress; for national efforts, she engages as an active member of multiple medical societies (EMRA, ACEP, APHA, AAEM, SAEM). Dr. Powell hopes to complete a health policy fellowship to continue her advocacy journey in medicine. Outside of medicine, she is a member of Team USA for aquabike and qualified for the 2025 Aquabike World Championship in Australia.
Louisa Weindruch, DO
Program: Baylor University Medical Center
Louisa Weindruch will complete residency in 2026 – but her considerable service to trainees continues as Director of Education for the EMRA Board of Directors. Dr. Weindruch also served as chair of the EMRA Ultrasound Committee, secretary of ACOEP-RSO, chair of TCEP MSC, and a leader in her residency program. Her focus as a Health Policy Fellow has been on mastering the legislative process; she has also contributed her skills as a collaborator, connecting people with similar goals and expanding the group’s efficacy through networking. She hopes to pursue a career in academic medicine, where she will continue to advocate for patients, trainees, and the profession.
Laila Zomorodian, MD, MPH
Program: St. Luke’s Bethlehem Emergency Medicine
Laila Zomorodian, PGY2, got involved in the Health Policy Academy to polish her skills and “bridge the gap between those who make policy and those who are directly affected by it.” With a master’s degree in public health (concentration on global health), Dr. Zomorodian aims to use advocacy and health policy to improve health equity for patients in all settings. She has lobbied for various initiatives, ranging from violence prevention in the emergency department to better access to care; international training has sharpened her focus on humanitarian aid. In her free time, she is a freelance musician (viola and violin) and enjoys running, travel, and cooking.
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