Media Kit
Concise bio (<200 words)
Dr. Heval Kelli is a Syrian Kurdish-born physician. He moved to the United States as refugee two weeks after 9/11 and enrolled at Georgia State 10 months later as a freshman. He graduated Summa Cum Laude while working as a dishwasher and he was later accepted to Morehouse School of Medicine, where he graduated Cum Laude. He finished his internal medicine residency with honorable distinction then completed cardiology fellowship at Emory University in 2020. He co-founded and operated several non-profit organizations focused on medical education (Young Physician Initiative), mentorship (U-Beyond, Mentorship Initiative for New Americans) and healthcare outreach (You4Prevent). Dr. Kelli was named the 2017 Friend of Freedom award. He received the 40 under 40 awards at each institute where he completed his education including the 2018 inaugural Georgia State University 40 under 40 award, 2019 Morehouse School of Medicine 10 under 40 and 2019 Emory University 40 under 40 alumni award. He also received the first Points of Light award after the passing of President George H.W. Bush. Furthermore, he published over 50 scientific articles in the field of preventive cardiology while implementing his work in underrepresented communities. His remarkable journey and work were praised by Presidents Carter, Bush, Obama and United Nations Secretary-General while featured on national and international news including the Emory University, Associated Press, Washington Post, NY Times, New Yorker, Hulu, WHO, UN, CNN, NPR, and more.
Dr. Heval Kelli is a Syrian Kurdish-born physician. He moved to the United States as refugee two weeks after 9/11 and enrolled at Georgia State 10 months later as a freshman. He graduated Summa Cum Laude while working as a dishwasher and he was later accepted to Morehouse School of Medicine, where he graduated Cum Laude. He finished his internal medicine residency with honorable distinction then completed cardiology fellowship at Emory University in 2020. He co-founded and operated several non-profit organizations focused on medical education (Young Physician Initiative), mentorship (U-Beyond, Mentorship Initiative for New Americans) and healthcare outreach (You4Prevent). Dr. Kelli was named the 2017 Friend of Freedom award. He received the 40 under 40 awards at each institute where he completed his education including the 2018 inaugural Georgia State University 40 under 40 award, 2019 Morehouse School of Medicine 10 under 40 and 2019 Emory University 40 under 40 alumni award. He also received the first Points of Light award after the passing of President George H.W. Bush. Furthermore, he published over 50 scientific articles in the field of preventive cardiology while implementing his work in underrepresented communities. His remarkable journey and work were praised by Presidents Carter, Bush, Obama and United Nations Secretary-General while featured on national and international news including the Emory University, Associated Press, Washington Post, NY Times, New Yorker, Hulu, WHO, UN, CNN, NPR, and more.
Short bio (<350 words)
As a young Syrian refugee washing dishes in a restaurant to support his family, Heval Kelli could not know that many years later he would become a distinguished fellow in cardiology at a university less than one mile from where his journey in the United States began. From Kobane, Syria to Clarkston, Georgia, Dr. Kelli was graduated from Clarkston High School, cum lauda from Georgia State University and Morehouse School of Medicine. He finished his internal medicine residency at Emory University and received recognition as resident of the year as well as honorable distinctions in social and inpatient medicine. Dr. Kelli served as the Katz Foundation Fellow in Preventative Cardiology and completed his fellowship in 2020. His research focuses on understanding the impact of socioeconomic status on cardiovascular outcomes and utilizing mobile health technologies to bring health education to underserved areas. In collaboration with his lifelong mentor Dr. Omar Lattouf, Professor of Surgery at Emory University, he has launched a global initiative to combat cardio metabolic syndrome through hosting seminars in the U.S. and around the globe.
As a result of his life experiences, Dr. Kelli is a steadfast advocate for serving communities in need especially immigrant and refugee communities. He is a co-founder of several non-profit organizations focused on medical education (Young Physician Initiative and You4Education), mentorship (U-Beyond) and healthcare outreach (You4Prevent). He is the co-founder and president of the Kurdish American Medical Association, an organization focused on connecting Kurdish American doctors with medical students and pre-med undergraduates. Dr. Kelli volunteers his medical expertise at various clinics which provide free medical care to uninsured individuals in the community where he grew up. Dr. Kelli was named the 2017 Friend of Freedom award. He received the 40 under 40 awards at each institute where he completed his education including the 2018 inaugural Georgia State University 40 under 40 award, 2019 Morehouse School of Medicine 10 under 40 and 2019 Emory University 40 under 40 alumni award. He also received the first Points of Light award after the passing of President George H.W. Bush. His remarkable journey and work were featured over 50 national and international news including the the Emory University, Associated Press, Washington Post, NY Times, New Yorker, Hulu, WHO, UN, CNN, NPR, and more. President Obama recently wrote of Dr. Kelli, "Your resilience and dedication reflect the best of the American spirit. Your experience offers a shining example of the American dream."
As a young Syrian refugee washing dishes in a restaurant to support his family, Heval Kelli could not know that many years later he would become a distinguished fellow in cardiology at a university less than one mile from where his journey in the United States began. From Kobane, Syria to Clarkston, Georgia, Dr. Kelli was graduated from Clarkston High School, cum lauda from Georgia State University and Morehouse School of Medicine. He finished his internal medicine residency at Emory University and received recognition as resident of the year as well as honorable distinctions in social and inpatient medicine. Dr. Kelli served as the Katz Foundation Fellow in Preventative Cardiology and completed his fellowship in 2020. His research focuses on understanding the impact of socioeconomic status on cardiovascular outcomes and utilizing mobile health technologies to bring health education to underserved areas. In collaboration with his lifelong mentor Dr. Omar Lattouf, Professor of Surgery at Emory University, he has launched a global initiative to combat cardio metabolic syndrome through hosting seminars in the U.S. and around the globe.
As a result of his life experiences, Dr. Kelli is a steadfast advocate for serving communities in need especially immigrant and refugee communities. He is a co-founder of several non-profit organizations focused on medical education (Young Physician Initiative and You4Education), mentorship (U-Beyond) and healthcare outreach (You4Prevent). He is the co-founder and president of the Kurdish American Medical Association, an organization focused on connecting Kurdish American doctors with medical students and pre-med undergraduates. Dr. Kelli volunteers his medical expertise at various clinics which provide free medical care to uninsured individuals in the community where he grew up. Dr. Kelli was named the 2017 Friend of Freedom award. He received the 40 under 40 awards at each institute where he completed his education including the 2018 inaugural Georgia State University 40 under 40 award, 2019 Morehouse School of Medicine 10 under 40 and 2019 Emory University 40 under 40 alumni award. He also received the first Points of Light award after the passing of President George H.W. Bush. His remarkable journey and work were featured over 50 national and international news including the the Emory University, Associated Press, Washington Post, NY Times, New Yorker, Hulu, WHO, UN, CNN, NPR, and more. President Obama recently wrote of Dr. Kelli, "Your resilience and dedication reflect the best of the American spirit. Your experience offers a shining example of the American dream."
