Board of Directors

Lydia L. Musula, PA-C is a Physician Assistant with a passion for improving the lives of children and families affected by sickle cell disease. Her journey as both a clinician and caregiver has shaped a deep commitment to advancing early diagnosis, expanding access to quality care, and improving health outcomes for children living with sickle cell disease.
Lydia has worked in both general medicine and pediatric hematology, providing care to patients across diverse clinical settings. For the past several years, she has focused on pediatric hematology, caring for children with sickle cell disease and witnessing firsthand the profound difference that early diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and ongoing family support can make. These experiences, combined with her own personal journey as a caregiver, inspired her to establish the Mich Sickle Cell Foundation (MSCF).
Born in Nairobi and raised in western Kenya, Lydia has always maintained a strong connection to her roots. Through MSCF, she hopes to partner with local healthcare providers, county governments, researchers, and communities to strengthen screening programs, improve access to treatment, advance research, and promote sustainable models of care.
Lydia believes that every child deserves the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life, regardless of where they are born. Her vision for MSCF is to help create a future where early diagnosis becomes the standard-not the exception-and where children living with sickle cell disease receive the care they need to thrive.

Patrick T. McGann, MD, PhD is a pediatric hematologist and internationally recognized physician-scientist dedicated to improving the lives of children living with sickle cell disease. He serves as a physician at Brown University Health and is a faculty member at Brown University, where his clinical care and research focus on advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and global management of sickle cell disease.
Throughout his career, Dr. McGann has led and collaborated on numerous research and clinical initiatives in both the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. His work has focused on expanding access to evidence-based therapies, strengthening newborn and early childhood screening programs, and improving healthcare systems for individuals living with sickle cell disease in resource-limited settings.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the Mich Sickle Cell Foundation (MSCF), Dr. McGann provides strategic guidance on clinical programs, research initiatives, and partnerships. His expertise in pediatric hematology, global health, and implementation science supports MSCF’s mission of improving early diagnosis, expanding access to quality care, and advancing sustainable models of sickle cell care across Western Kenya.

Ayaye Erick is a Clinical Officer (BSc in Clinical Medicine and Community Health) and a dedicated sickle cell disease advocate with over 10 years of experience in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of sickle cell disease and haemophilia in Kenya.

He has led and supported numerous newborn and infant sickle cell screening initiatives, helping to improve early diagnosis and timely linkage to care for vulnerable children. His expertise includes implementing point-of-care diagnostic technologies, training healthcare workers and Community Health Promoters, conducting operational research, and strengthening health systems to improve access to quality care.

Ayaye serves on the Research Board of the Sickle Cell Federation of Kenya and has presented his work at both national and international scientific conferences.

Andisi Jefferson is an accounting professional with experience supporting private foundations in the United States and prior work with the Girl Scouts, Northern California. She currently serves in foundation accounting roles focused on financial reporting, compliance, and audit support. She is honored to serve as Treasurer for Mich Sickle Cell Foundation, supporting its mission to improve early diagnosis and management of sickle cell disease through screening, linkage to care, and community partnerships in Western Kenya.
Originally from Western Kenya, she has a personal connection to the impact of sickle cell disease and a strong appreciation for the role nonprofits play in expanding access to care and opportunity. She brings both professional expertise and lived experience to support the organization’s financial stewardship and mission impact.

Allison McGirr-Crowley, LICSW, is a clinical social worker at Rhode Island Hospital, where she specializes in the care of children and adults living with sickle cell disease. Originally from Philadelphia, she has dedicated the past four years to sickle cell care, combining evidence-based mental health treatment with patient advocacy, care coordination, and systems-level initiatives aimed at improving health equity.

Throughout her career, Allison has been drawn to sickle cell disease because it sits at the intersection of medicine, mental health, and social justice. She is passionate about addressing the psychosocial barriers that affect health outcomes and believes that meaningful care extends beyond the hospital walls. Her work focuses not only on supporting patients and families through the challenges of living with a chronic illness, but also on advancing models of care that recognize the profound impact of social determinants of health.

Allison serves on the board of this organization and looks forward to contributing in a way that is grounded in listening and learning from local partners. In her clinical work, she collaborates closely with community health workers, whose relationships with patients and families are essential in bridging gaps in care and supporting day-to-day needs. These experiences have shaped her understanding of how much effective sickle cell care depends on strong community-based systems. She is grateful for the opportunity to support efforts in Kenya and to help strengthen connections between clinical care, community health work, and the lived experiences of individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease.

My name is Adam Touray, and I am an Urgent Care Manager currently leading two urgent care clinics.

On paper, I manage operations, teams, and patient care. In real life, I am a new mother learning to balance motherhood with leadership, and a daughter of a family deeply touched by sickle cell disease.

In my family, some were born with sickle cell disease and others carry the sickle cell trait. Growing up, I witnessed the pain, the hospital stays, the fear that comes with a crisis, and the strength it takes to live with it every single day. I saw how it affects not just the person in pain, but everyone who loves them.

Those childhood memories stayed with me and led me into healthcare. Today, I use my role not only to ensure patients receive compassionate and efficient care, but to be a voice for sickle cell awareness, education, and early screening. I know what it feels like to be on both sides of the bed as a healthcare leader and as a family member.

My mission is simple: to make sure no family feels lost, unheard, or alone while navigating sickle cell.

Lisbel Gonzalez has spent the last three years working as a Research Coordinator in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, supporting clinical trials and research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for children living with blood disorders, including sickle cell disease. Her work sits at the intersection of clinical care and discovery, helping translate research into real, tangible progress for patients and families.

Sickle cell disease has touched Lisbel’s life in ways that go beyond her professional role. That personal connection is part of what drew her to this work in the first place, and it continues to shape the depth of care and urgency she brings to every project she’s part of.

In November 2025, Lisbel had the privilege of traveling to Kenya, where she met children and families navigating sickle cell disease in communities with far fewer resources than she was used to seeing. Sitting with patients and caregivers, hearing their stories, and witnessing both the challenges and the resilience of the community left a lasting impression, deepening her commitment to expanding access to early diagnosis and quality care globally.

Lisbel is honored to bring her research background, clinical insight, and personal investment to the Mich Sickle Cell Foundation’s board, working alongside Lydia and the broader team to help build a future where every child with sickle cell disease, no matter where they’re born, has the chance to thrive.

Dorah Owango is a stem cell biomanufacturing professional with nearly a decade of experience in regenerative medicine, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies, and cell therapy manufacturing. Since beginning her career in biotechnology in 2017, she has developed expertise across stem cell manufacturing, process development, and translational research.
Dorah spent five years at Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, where she specialized in iPSC manufacturing and differentiation, helping develop robust and scalable stem cell processes for research and therapeutic applications. She later joined Herophilus, where she contributed to stem cell-based research supporting drug discovery programs focused on neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, including Rett syndrome, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
She currently serves as the Manager of Stem Cell Manufacturing at Canventa Life Sciences, where she leads manufacturing operations, oversees process execution, and supports the production of high-quality stem cell products for research and development.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the Mich Sickle Cell Foundation, Dorah combines her scientific expertise with a passion for advancing innovation, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease. She is committed to supporting initiatives that promote research, expand access to knowledge and resources, and accelerate progress toward better treatments and future cures.
Dorah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and is dedicated to using science and leadership to improve patient outcomes and strengthen the impact of the nonprofit community.

Anjali Mandal holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Public Health and works as a medical assistant with experience in patient care, clinical documentation, and laboratory instruction. She is passionate about global health, health equity, and advancing access to quality healthcare for underserved communities.

As an advisor to the Mich Sickle Cell Foundation, Anjali is honored to support its mission of improving early diagnosis and management of sickle cell disease in Kenya. She is committed to contributing to the foundation’s work through collaboration, research, and evidence-based public health initiatives.

Pranav Addanki is an undergraduate student at Emory University pursuing a career in medicine, with a passion for advancing equitable healthcare in underserved communities through clinical care, research, and public health initiatives.

While studying Chemistry on the pre-medical track, Pranav has worked as an urgent care medical assistant for the past two years, where he has gained experience caring for and communicating with patients from diverse backgrounds. He also enjoys volunteering with Ronald McDonald House Charities, where working alongside children and families facing serious illness has further inspired his commitment to expanding healthcare access for underserved communities, both locally and globally.

Pranav is also involved in hematology and oncology research at the Emory University School of Medicine, where he studies the role of cellular metabolism in multiple myeloma to identify therapeutic targets. His exposure to hematology research has sparked a growing interest in caring for patients with blood disorders, particularly those affected by sickle cell disease and the systemic disparities they face in accessing quality care.

As Communications and Development Coordinator at the Mich Sickle Cell Foundation (MSCF), Pranav aims to increase awareness of sickle cell disease, lead fundraising efforts that expand newborn screening initiatives, and contribute to clinical and public health programs that improve access to life-saving care for children and families across Western Kenya.

Alexandra (Aly) Pachter, PhD, is a clinical psychologist at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and faculty member at Brown University, specializing in the care of children, teens, and young adults living with sickle cell disease. She has trained at various sickle cell centers and children’s hospitals, including in Washington, D.C., Oakland, New Orleans, and Portland.

She has a background in advocacy and research, specifically in areas of social and health equity, reparative justice, and institutional accountability. Her work focuses on understanding and supporting psychosocial well-being, mental health, and resilience through individual and systems level work.

As director of advocacy with Mich Sickle Cell Foundation, Dr. Pachter’s goal is to amplify the efforts to expand access to sickle cell care for children in Western Kenya. She is honored to serve as MSCF board member to formally support improving access to early screening, quality healthcare, and promoting scalable and sustainable models of care for all children with sickle cell, regardless of birthplace.

Manpreet (Preethi) Kochhar, MD is a board-certified pediatric hematologist-oncologist and serves as Medical Advisor for the Mich Sickle Cell Foundation (MSCF). She is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Brown University and Fellowship Program Director for the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program. She specializes in pediatric hematology, oncology, stem cell transplantation, and the care of children with sickle cell disease and other blood disorders.

Dr. Kochhar earned her medical degree from New York Medical College, completed her pediatric residency at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore-Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and her fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She is an active member of several national professional organizations, including the American Society of Hematology and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

As Medical Advisor to MSCF, Dr. Kochhar provides clinical guidance and supports the Foundation’s mission to improve early diagnosis, expand access to evidence-based care, and strengthen outcomes for children living with sickle cell disease in Western Kenya. Her expertise in pediatric hematology and her commitment to education, mentorship, and global child health make her an invaluable member of the Foundation’s leadership.

Jude Amoako is a storyteller, strategist, and community leader whose work sits at the intersection of healthcare, advocacy, communications, and community engagement.

He supports sickle cell initiatives across Rhode Island and New England, helping strengthen connections between patients, families, healthcare systems, community organizations, and public partners. His work includes patient and family engagement, community outreach, education, advocacy, and strategic communications.

Jude is also the founder of Based On A True Story (BOATS), a Rhode Island-based marketing and storytelling agency that helps organizations and leaders communicate their mission through authentic, human-centered storytelling.

He is a co-founder of the Crescent Dream Foundation, an organization focused on improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by sickle cell disease through education, support, advocacy, and community-building.

Across his work, Jude is committed to ensuring that the voices and experiences of communities are reflected in the systems, stories, and decisions that affect them.