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Dr. Al-Talib focuses on general and preventative cardiology and specializes in cardiovascular disease in women, including those with breast cancer or other oncological history.

Her love of science began at Roland Park Country School. She credits some of her most formative educational experiences as a result of her incredible teachers. She learned many life skills at RPCS that have guided her as a compassionate physician, including active and engaged listening, thoughtful communicating and empathizing with others. Now as a current RPCS parent of two daughters, Dr. Al-Talib recalls how being part of an all-girls environment helped her find her voice and build her character and confidence. Working in a traditionally male-dominated field, Dr. Al-Talib felt prepared from her time at RPCS. “Here, I learned the importance of being tenacious, hard-working, and organized, while maintaining confidence and staying humble.”

I became the Hospital Director and Chief Medical Officer of Ryan Hospital in the height of the pandemic in January 2021. We have focused on patient care, team wellbeing, and workflow efficiency and have fostered a culture where we seek out resources to empower our teams with the tools that we need to succeed personally and at work.

I have no doubt that much of the foundation of my journey originated at RPCS where we learned to work within teams, develop productive study habits, and understand different perspectives. RPCS also encouraged curiosity and supported exploration of novel ideas or topics. It was on the Roland Park campus that I started the journey of lifelong learning and gained the confidence to know that I could venture into a new challenge and discover a successful path forward.

Dr. Patricia Burt is a faculty member in the Music Theory and Analysis Department at The Juilliard School, where she supports the artistic and intellectual growth of exceptionally talented musicians from around the world. Her nationally recognized research focuses on improving the teaching and learning of music theory. 

I came to RPCS in the sixth grade as a scholarship student and was immediately struck by two things: the teachers were warm and encouraging, creating a learning environment that was both rigorous and imaginative. Their example sparked my lifelong love of teaching. Second, I was captivated by the school’s vocal ensembles. I still remember hearing the Semiquavers perform at my first winter concert. From that moment, I dreamed of joining them. My senior year, I served as president of the Semiquavers, an experience that strengthened my confidence as a musician and introduced me to the challenges and rewards of musical leadership. 

After RPCS, Alexandra Day received a bachelor’s degree in physics with a mathematics minor from Wellesley College, where she was a Fellow at the Albright Institute for Global Affairs. She recently earned a PhD in Computer Engineering from Northwestern University, where her work focused on developing AI tools for automated nanoparticle characterization. In graduate school, she received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship as well as the Northwestern Cabell Fellowship for engineering. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the United States Naval Academy and is excited to be back in Maryland.

RPCS encouraged Alexandra to pursue a path in STEM and gave her the foundation and tools to succeed. Her projects and classes at RPCS inspired a lifelong love of research that eventually led to her PhD in computer engineering.  "My teachers and mentors at RPCS challenged me to think creatively and provided a positive learning environment that I strive to emulate as a professor.  RPCS also helped me cultivate my other interests along with STEM, from visual and performing arts to foreign language, which have enriched my life and expanded my worldview. I am grateful to RPCS for giving me the tools to succeed on my chosen path!"

Susan was fortunate to find a field of work that was perfect for her interests, goals, and skillset. After interning in college at Ferris, Baker Watts working with several stockbrokers, she was hired after graduation and grew into her role over time. After 33 years, she leads a team of Certified Financial Planners at RBC Wealth Management to help their clients and families achieve their financial goals.

RPCS provided a supportive and empowering environment to Susan, which produced the confidence she needed to take risks and pursue opportunities. This led to an incredibly rewarding career that matches her skills with her interests and passions.

It was at Roland Park Country School where Lydia Kang, 1989 truly learned how to be herself. Now a physician and author, Lydia credits RPCS for giving her ample opportunities to create and be creative in the Fine Arts Association and the Semiquavers, and for being encouraged to let her mind ask questions and form opinions. The small classes and close relationships with teachers helped her flourish academically. Lydia also loved being surrounded by a diverse group of students and feeling welcomed for her personality traits that made her different. “It was easy to thrive in an environment where people expected the best of you, and nurtured that every step of the way.”

Dr. Makhzoumi is a dermatologic surgeon at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She specializes in the advanced technique of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and surgical reconstruction for skin cancer. A major focus of both her clinical practice and research efforts is the behavior and management of non-melanoma skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients. A large portion of her practice is devoted to the care of these patients at particularly high risk for skin cancer. Her expertise also includes all aspects of procedural dermatology, including laser surgery and the rejuvenation of aging skin.

As Chief of Clinical Services in the Department of Dermatology, Dr. Makhzoumi oversees all aspects of clinical operations for the department. She is also responsible for the recruitment of new faculty, the expansion of clinical opportunities for the department and the development of collaborative projects across campus, particularly those focused on Cutaneous Oncology.

Being at RPCS for 12 years not only gave me a foundation of knowledge and a quest for exploration but also instilled in me a sense of self. I attribute my determination and discipline to the teachers at RPCS who always made sure we gave our best efforts- whether in the classroom, on the field, or in life. I will forever be grateful to RPCS for making me the physician, mother, athelete and human being that I am today.

After graduating from RPCS, Dani earned a B.A. in government with a minor in English from the University of Virginia and then earned a J.D. from William & Mary. Now an accomplished lawyer, Dani serves as a Vice President and Data Privacy Compliance Officer at IDB Bank in New York, focusing on data privacy and protection matters. In 2022, Dani also co-founded and serves as Chief Operating Officer of a nonprofit diversity pipeline organization called Pembe that is dedicated to mentorship and boosting the representation of people of African descent in the legal profession.

In addition to her career, Dani has been a passionate volunteer through the years. As a Young Professionals Board member for the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), the largest Africa-based healthcare nonprofit that serves millions of people each year, Dani helps to raise awareness and critically needed funds for the organization’s work in Africa through social media campaigns and event planning. Dani has also continued to volunteer her time on behalf of RPCS, serving as a member of her 10^th and 15^th Reunion Committees and continues in her role as one of the 2009 Class Reps, helping to keep her class connected and engaged with RPCS. Dani is making a lasting impact on the world as a RED through her outstanding leadership and remarkable achievements!

Whitney went on to earn her Master of Science degree in Environmental Science and Management from Portland State University, in Oregon, in 2017. Her research focused on community ecology, specifically marine invasive invertebrates. During graduate school, Whitney was named a National Science Foundation GK–12 Fellow, which provided her with the opportunity to work with and teach sixth-grade ecology students at a local public school in Portland. 

Throughout her eight years at Roland Park Country School, Whitney McClees, 2008 recalls being inspired by the teachers and other adults at school who so clearly loved their jobs.

“My time at Roland Park Country School provided me with a strong foundation in being an independent, inquisitive, and determined learner, which led me to pursue both of my passions (technical theater and environmental science) in college. Balancing these very different majors necessitated focusing on the big picture rather than one small piece.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree at SU, Nicole went to New York City with an intent on working in the Art Auction Business. She started her career at Sotheby’s in their Impressionist and Modern Art Department before working for the Swiss auction house, Habsburg, Feldman Fine Art, and then at Phillips Fine Art Auctioneers. She then obtained her Master’s Degree in architecture at NJIT and worked at two firms before starting her own business, Nicole Migeon Architect, PLLC (NMA) which is where she today. NMA is a full-service design firm that offers architecture, interiors, millwork, furniture, lighting, and art consultation. Nicole is also a tenured adjunct professor at FIT where she teaches design studios. 

The overall experience during my 11 years at RPCS helped to guide my professional path. Art, art history, and conceptual thinking have always inspired me in design work. My first exposure to art history was at RPCS. RPCS exposed me to many different activities, experiences, and people. Examples include the Model UN trips to DC and Glee Club field trips to neighboring schools. RPCS taught me how to take risks by providing an environment where it was safe to take risks. 

When Elena Olivi joined Roland Park Country School in ninth grade, she thought she would become a physicist. Instead, she has pursued a career in public health, working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Laos, Southeast Asia, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Mozambique and South Sudan, leading initiatives to prevent and manage malaria, pneumonia, malnutrition, and other life-threatening ailments.

As a professor at NYU School of Law, Catherine Sharkey, 1988 values the unique student-teacher relationship and the lasting impact it can make. Reflecting on her time at Roland Park Country School, Catherine credits the role her teachers played in her intellectual and personal development. Specifically, she remembers Mrs. Judy Pittenger, Mrs. Myra Goldgeier, Mrs. Anne Heuisler, Mrs. Joyce Brown, and Ms. Linda Trapp for planting seeds, offering encouragement, setting expectations, and directing her through six formative years to help her build a sense of self-confidence and the ability to take initiative.
 
“I was fortunate to have extraordinary teachers who were not only excellent at their craft, but who also cared so much about their students,” Catherine said. “They met me where I was, identified exactly how I needed to be challenged and guided my intellectual and personal development.”
 
After graduating from RPCS, Catherine earned a B.A. in Economics from Yale University. A Rhodes Scholar, she went on to earn an M.S. in Economics for Development from Oxford University and a J.D. from Yale Law School, where she was Executive Editor of the Yale Law Journal. Today, as Segal Family Professor of Regulatory Law and Policy at NYU School of Law, Catherine is one of the nation’s leading authorities on artificial intelligence in federal agencies, the economic loss rule, punitive damages, and federal preemption of state tort law. She has published more than 50 law review articles, essays, reviews and book chapters in the fields of torts, products liability, administrative law, remedies and class actions.

After graduating from RPCS in 2005, Alisha attended Duke University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in Spanish. She then went on to earn her Doctorate of Medicine from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC. In 2017, Alisha completed her pediatric residency training at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown PA, and three years later she completed a fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. She is now board certified in both pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is currently on staff as an attending physician in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, NC, where she also teaches residents and medical students from Duke University and the University of North Carolina. Her professional interests include pediatric injury and trauma, and she currently serves on WakeMed Hospital’s trauma committee.

Throughout medical training, Alisha dedicated a significant portion of her nonclinical time working with the Student National Medical Association, serving as regional director, member of the Board of Directors, and later as the alumni affairs co-chair. She also serves as a liaison to her hospital’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Roland Park has been pivotal to my development and success. In a field historically dominated by men, being successful has required a courage, a drive, and a presence that was harnessed “here, within these walls” (love my Semiquavers!). We were taught to be bold, and that experience has allowed me to enter into and thrive in spaces that traditionally had not been designed for me.