AZ HEAL

Arizona Health Education and Learning

Previously University of Arizona HEAL

Our Mission

AZ HEAL is dedicated to using healthcare education as a form of preventative medicine in local middle schools and community events. Through interactive, age-appropriate physiology lectures and activities, we aim to raise health awareness, reduce the prevalence of preventable illnesses, and spark interest in medical careers. After each presentation, we host open discussions to address students’ questions and offer mentorship. Our long-term goal is to help close systemic gaps in disadvantaged communities, where limited exposure to health education and healthy habits often contributes to disease.

How it Began

Riley (left), Adam (middle), Daniel (right)

Riley, Daniel, and Adam met during their undergraduate years at the University of Arizona, united by a shared passion for their degree in physiology. As they studied together and discussed their future careers in healthcare, they became increasingly aware of the disparities that leave many communities underserved. What began as casual brainstorming evolved into a meaningful realization: real change often starts small, and preventative health education towards the youth could be a powerful first step in reducing disease and improving outcomes within local communities.

Determined to turn their ideas into action, they founded the first chapter of UA HEAL at the University of Arizona as a tangible way to begin making a difference. After graduation, UA HEAL expanded beyond campus and became AZ HEAL, a state-recognized nonprofit organization serving communities across Arizona.

What We Do

We provide research-based health education to local middle school students with support from University of Arizona professors, practicing physicians, and practicing dentists. We bring our engaging, age-appropriate physiology presentations directly into middle schools, where we teach students about healthy habits and introduce them to different opportunities in STEM and healthcare. Our health education extends into the community through local events, including farmers markets, where we give presentations and offer free, hands-on activities that make learning about health fun and interactive for kids.

During our programs, we share our personal journeys in healthcare and explain the pathways to a variety of careers in the field. By talking about the challenges we faced and overcame, we encourage students to pursue their goals with confidence and without fear of failure.

Previous Lecture Topics at Schools and Community Events

We have delivered physiology-based lessons on:

- immune health

- sleep and its effects on the body

- the physical and mental impacts of stress

- heat-related illness

- pathways to careers in healthcare

-nutrition

We plan to expand our topics to include oral health, exercise and cardiovascular health. We collaborate with local MDs, DDS professionals, PhD students, and University of Arizona professors to review our content and refine our approach to instruction.

Interactive Discussion Starters

Throughout our school presentations and community events, we ask questions to reinforce the content of our physiology lessons while fostering positive, small-group discussions that encourage students to reflect on their goals and the qualities needed to achieve them. By asking what health means to them and what careers interest them, we create space for students to explore their own aspirations, whether in healthcare or any other field. We share our experiences as current or aspiring professional students to create an open dialogue where students can explore their perceptions of health, careers, and their own potential.

Some of Our Team's Prospective/ Current Career Paths:

Daniel Mulumba

University of Arizona Physiology Graduate, Current Medical School Applicant

Humza Safdar

Medical Student at University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

Adam Akkad

University of Arizona Honors Physiology Graduate, Current Medical School Applicant

Riley Zapata

Dental Student at ATSU Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health

Jason Zheng

University of Arizona Physiology Graduate, Current Medical School Applicant

Aryan Eskambe

Medical Student at University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

Past Presentations and Events!

We have had the pleasure of presenting at Glenn L. Downs, Aprende, Akimel, and Centennial Middle Schools! At Glenn L. Downs, we reached over 300 students, while at Aprende, Akimel, and Centennial, we delivered multi-session programming across four AVID classrooms at each school.

You can also find us at Heirloom Farmers Markets for Kids Programming every first Sunday!

We are currently seeking partnerships with local refugee clinics, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other community organizations to expand our reach.