Current Administrative Fellows

Catalina Lopez – Second Year Administrative Fellow 2024-2026

Catalina earned her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and behavior from Barnard College. Her role as a research assistant in a neuroscience lab, where she completed her senior thesis on adolescent autism gene markers, sparked her interest in data-driven decision-making and children's healthcare. A thought-provoking course in medical sociology highlighted the challenges of limited healthcare access for underserved populations, prompting her to pursue a master’s in public health at the University of North Carolina (UNC).

During her time at UNC, Catalina leveraged data analysis and strategic planning in her healthcare management and health system development coursework to further enhance her knowledge and skills. She solidified her commitment to hospital administration during her administrative residency at University Health in San Antonio, Texas, where she gained firsthand exposure to the intricacies of hospital operations and healthcare management. Catalina worked closely with healthcare professionals and administrators to lead two community analysis reports detailing the current state of University Health's diabetes and healthy eating/nutrition education programs. Additionally, she generated three new partnership opportunities to support University Health's healthy eating education initiatives.

Catalina plans to leverage her skills in data analysis and project management to identify and implement innovative solutions to enhance patient satisfaction and streamline hospital processes. She is particularly interested in developing programs that prioritize clear communication, personalized care, and supportive environments for patients and their families.

Outside of her professional interests, she enjoys cooking, yoga, hiking, listening to podcasts, and playing tennis.

Dumebi Uba – First Year Administrative Fellow, 2025-2027

Dumebi Uba graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in Public Health, concentrating in medical sciences. As a result, she was drawn to clinical care, but through her exploration of healthcare delivery systems, she found that her passion lied in making community-level impacts.

At the Center for Better Beginnings, Dumebi served as a vibrant research and marketing assistant, collaborating with physicians and mothers to drive initiatives that positively impacted maternal and child health outcomes. Now at UNC, Dumebi has leveraged both quantitative and qualitative research skills to deepen her understanding of the factors that influence care delivery within health systems.

While attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dumebi has been able to leverage quantitative and qualitative research skills to expand her knowledge of the factors that influence the delivery of care within health systems. Thus, she has taken on various roles within healthcare settings, honing her expertise in strategic planning, financial management, and quality improvement to drive positive patient outcomes.

Dumebi completed her administrative residency at Kaiser Permanente, where she gained hands-on experience in healthcare operations. She worked closely with executives and clinical staff to improve patient throughput and care experiences while identifying cost-reduction opportunities. Throughout all of her experiences, her passion for adolescent care has remained constant.

Dumebi is dedicated to improving pediatric and obstetric care by combining quantitative and qualitative expertise to ensure equitable access to care for all individuals. In her free time, Dumebi enjoys spending time with family, reading, hiking, and trying authentic street food in the Bay area.