Meet our team!
Associate Dean
Associate Dean
Paloma F. Cariello, MD, MPH
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Paloma F Cariello, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She is a clinical educator who graduated from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 2003 and obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Health from University of Massachusetts in 2013.
In 2020, Dr. Cariello was appointed Associate Dean for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. She embraces diversity as a core value and fundamental priority across the different fields in medicine, and believes the power of a diverse group allows for increased creativity and innovation, with unparalleled opportunities for growth. Dr. Cariello is a strong supporter and advisor for female medical students interested in leadership. During her free time, Dr. Cariello enjoys cooking, puzzles, hiking and outdoor activities.
Specialties: Infectious Diseases, Solid and Bone Marrow Transplant
Fellowship: Transplant Infectious Disease - University of Pittsburgh
Fellowship: Infectious Disease and MPH - University of Massachusetts
Residency: Internal Medicine - MetroWest Medical Center
Medical School: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Medical School
Email: Paloma.Cariello@hsc.utah.edu
Assistant Dean
Assistant Dean
Line Kemeyou, MD
Pronoun: She/Her/Hers
Dr. Line Kemeyou received her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (UTSW) in Dallas. She then completed her training in Internal Medicine and in Cardiovascular Diseases at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (UTSW) and the University of Florida, respectively. She continued her training with an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Fellowship at the University of Utah. She sees patients at the Cardiovascular Center at the University Hospital and at the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center.
Specialties: Cardiac Sarcoidosis, Cardioversion, Heart Failure, Heart Transplant, Mechanical Circulatory Support
Fellowship: Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant - University of Utah School of Medicine
Fellowship: Cardiovascular Disease - University of Florida College of Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine - Parkland Health & Hospital System
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Email: Line.Kemeyou@hsc.utah.edu
Director
Director
Donna Eldridge, MSW
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Donna is a member of the Navajo Nation from Shiprock, New Mexico, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Utah in 2012 and followed it with a Master's Degree in Social Work from the same institution in 2013. Currently serving as the Director of the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, Donna is dedicated to formulating and executing organizational strategies that foster equity, diversity, and inclusion.
In her capacity as Director, Donna takes charge of directing and overseeing the operations and strategic planning of office initiatives. This includes the development and implementation of goals, objectives, and partnerships with external organizations. She is actively involved in creating programs focused on the recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and students.
Donna’s passion lies in enhancing representation and health equity for Indigenous peoples. Donna serves as a liaison between various departments on campus and within the community, fostering robust collaborative partnerships to increase support for Utah's Tribal Nations, Native organizations, and educators. Through her efforts, she aims to expand the reach and impact of pathway programs within Native communities. Donna's commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity resonates through her strategic leadership and collaborative efforts.
Email: Donna.Eldridge@hsc.utah.edu
Director of Health Equity
Rawad Farhat, MD, MSPH
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Rawad Farhat is originally from Lebanon and earned her medical degree from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. After completing her pediatric residency and fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at the American University of Beirut, she pursued a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Utah.
Dr. Farhat has been committed to providing medical care to underserved communities throughout her career. She has worked extensively in Lebanon's refugee camps and underprivileged and rural areas, offering healthcare services to disadvantaged groups and displaced families. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Farhat has also held positions as a case investigator for the Utah Department of Health and the University of Utah Department of Family Preventive Medicine. In these roles, she developed health assessment protocols and provided healthcare education at regional healthcare facilities. She also worked with the Utah Department of Health to assess the resources required for health equity, coordinate implicit bias training, and establish communication methods.
Dr. Farhat is passionate about health equity and improving health outcomes for marginalized populations. As Director of Health Equity, she focuses on the socioeconomic determinants of health. She involves community health workers in community clinics to ensure patients' opinions are heard and addressed. Her mission is to increase access to healthcare, advocate for policy changes that address health inequities, and work towards a more equitable healthcare system for all.
Email: Rawad.Farhat@hsc.utah.edu
Program Manager
Program Manager
Eric Warner
Pronouns: He/Him/His
After earning a Master’s degree in English from Texas Tech University, Eric Warner lived and taught abroad for over eleven years, one year in the Sultanate of Oman, and over ten years in the Republic of Korea. Eric loves to travel and has visited over twenty countries. He believes in the transformative power of education and how it could solve many of the challenges we currently face. Eric also believes that equity, diversity, and inclusivity are a core values that are integral to the future, and he strives to support and promote those values for everyone.
Email: Eric.Warner@hsc.utah.edu
Program Coordinators
Administrative Program Coordinator
Lia Bermudez
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Lia is originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, but moved to the United States during her childhood. Currently, she is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Communications at the University of Utah with aspirations to pursue a master's degree in Social Work. Lia is actively engaged in the Utah community and volunteers with the Utah Foundation for Suicide Prevention and contributes her time to the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home. She strongly believes that a more beautiful world is created through diversity of people, philosophy, culture, and experience. Lia also finds joy in traveling to new places, cherishing moments with her dog, Bruno, and going thrifting.
Email: Lia.Bermudez@hsc.utah.edu
Administrative Program Coordinator
Shiya Zeng
Pronouns: She/They
Shiya was born in Taishan, China and immigrated to Salt Lake, Utah with her family in the early 2000s. They earned their BS in Health, Society and Policy from the University of Utah, where they worked as a teaching assistant for the Department of Chemistry and researched into how physician identities impacted patient-centered care with Dr. Candace Chow at the Office of Health Equity and Inclusion. After graduating in 2019, Shiya was dedicated to advancing health equity, with a focus on marginalized communities, by working at multiple non-profits including the Road Home, Mountain West Mother's Milk Bank, and UAF Legacy Health. Outside of work, she is involved with event planning with local Asian American organizations and pursuing artistic and creative interests. Shiya is passionate about a world where everyone has access to excellent and inclusive healthcare along with having all their needs met.
Email: Shiya.Zeng@hsc.utah.edu
