The People Behind Dimbaya

Co-Founders

Ashna Patel & Isabella Santiago-Lindsay

Ashna and Isabella both graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2025 and interned together at Bwiam General Hospital through GRIP in the summer of 2022. That experience — and the relationships they built there — led them to spend the following years working to support BGH's satellite health posts and maternity ward renovation. Together, they raised over $80,000 for infrastructure improvements and took on a leadership role in managing the internship program as Power Up Gambia dissolved.

Ashna completed the Life Sciences & Management dual-degree program with majors in Biology and Finance and a minor in South Asia Studies, and is currently working in biopharma investment banking at Centerview Partners in San Francisco. Isabella majored in Health & Societies (Public Health) with minors in Neuroscience and Healthcare Management, and is currently based in Chicago at Huron Consulting Group's Healthcare Sector.

Co-Founder

Arnav Patel

Arnav is currently an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University studying Public Health and Psychology. He traveled to The Gambia to assess the progress of the maternity ward renovation firsthand and is currently leading fundraising efforts for the surgical theater renovation at Bwiam General Hospital.

Hopkins Chapter Lead

Rishi

Rishi is a junior at Johns Hopkins University studying Neuroscience and Public Health with a minor in Psychology. At school, he is involved in neonatal medicine research and enjoys staying active outdoors. As a part of Dimbaya Health & Education, he hopes to help build meaningful global health partnerships while learning from the communities and healthcare professionals he works alongside.