Meet Our 2024 Summer Interns

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Hannah Barnes

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Hannah Barnes

Hannah is a recent Master of Public Health graduate from the Gillings School of Global Public Health. In previous summers, she has completed research projects with us on neurological software as well as produced curriculum for introductory videos to the practice. This summer, she will be developing a strategic plan for integrating local clinical research into the standard care of Memory and Movement Charlotte. After she leaves us in July, Hannah is headed to the University of Missouri Columbia for medical school with hopes of becoming a neurologist.

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Haylee Church

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Haylee Church

Haylee, a rising senior studying Psychology at UNCC, is excited to learn from her internship with Memory and Movement Charlotte. Influenced heavily by her personal experience with a family member diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, she is passionate about the well-being of not only the patient, but the caregivers as well. Haylee looks forward to working with the family members and caregivers of patients, helping them work through such a difficult time, and learning more about how Alzheimer's and Dementia affects the inner-workings of people's lives. Upon graduating college, she plans to continue her education into graduate school at UNCC to obtain her master's degree in Psychology. In her free time, Haylee loves to go on long nature walks, spend time with family and friends, and journal.

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Luke Heath

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Luke Heath

Luke is currently an undergraduate student at The University of North Carolina Wilmington, with a major of Exercise Science. He is interested in pursuing a career in Physical Therapy, as he is passionate about health, helping people, and the way the body works. Luke Is always eager to talk about his other passions of martial arts, history, and books.

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Pratham Oruganti

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Pratham Oruganti

Pratham is a rising junior at Weddington High School. He is thrilled to work with the celebrated staff here at MMC. With a sincere passion for neurology, he eagerly anticipates utilizing his interpersonal skills to engage in patient conversations on a profound level. He envisions his role at MMC will expand his knowledge, refine his skills, and hopefully one day he will make meaningful contributions to the field of neurology. Besides studying, he plays club volleyball with an ultimate goal of going D1.

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Sophia Samaan

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Sophia Samaan

Sophia, a rising high school junior, is eager to learn from her internship with Memory and Movement Charlotte. Inspired by following and working on a treatment plan for a patient with epilepsy, she brings a passion for neurology. Sophia looks forward to further exploring medicine and the ins and outs of running a successful office with Dr. Chaconas and the rest of the MMC staff. Upon graduating, she plans to attend medical school and open a practice. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her rescue dog and puppy.

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Grainger Shull

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Grainger Shull

Grainger is a neuroscience student at The University of Tennessee. He is super excited about his internship at Memory and Movement Charlotte this summer. Grainger eventually wants to go to medical school and become a neurologist because he is interested in understanding how the brain works and treating neurological disorders. He cannot wait to learn from all the doctors and staff at MMC. Grainger loves playing golf in his free time, trying to beat his dad and younger brother.

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Annie Smith

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Annie Smith

Annie is a rising senior at Charlotte Latin School, and she is very excited for this opportunity to intern at the MMC office. She is interning this summer because she knows she wants to pursue a career in the medical field but is not quite sure which field yet. Annie has a grandmother with Parkinson’s disease who is a patient of Dr Iyer’s, and she wants to continue to spread awareness about Parkinson’s disease. She has spent the last two summers volunteering at the JCC Rock Steady Boxing class designed to help those with movement and memory conditions. While not at school, Annie can be found running track or working.

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Demi Stamatakos

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Demi Stamatakos

Demi is entering her senior year at UNC Chapel Hill, where she is majoring in neuroscience and minoring in chemistry. This summer, she is working on a project to identify and connect eligible patients with a promising new drug that treats Alzheimer’s disease. She is excited to dive into the intersection between research and patient care as well as the innovative model of healthcare at MMC. In her free time, she enjoys reading, rock climbing, and crocheting.

What Do Interns Do?

They learn - and so do we!

This summer, two of our interns are working on specific projects. Hannah Barnes is helping to develop a plan to integrate clinical trials into MMC operations. Demi Stamatakos is helping to identify patients who may benefit from emerging treatment options. And both are exploring their love for medicine and especially neurology as they pursue their studies.

Six students are working together on an assortment of projects including:

  • Leading production of Flavors to Remember, a cookbook compiled of recipes submitted by MMC patients and families
  • Observing members of our clinical team, family care navigators, and physical therapy partners
  • Providing technical support for patients and caregivers who need assistance using the patient portal
  • Helping to edit and format educational handouts
  • Assisting with mailings and other administrative tasks
  • Escorting patients and families from the parking area to the clinic at our Southminster location

Overall, interns are here to explore some of the careers that may develop from their current interests. And we learn from them as much as they learn from us. Summer interns bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and perspective and every year we welcome their energy.

It's a privilege to play a small part in preparing the next generation of neurologists, and we're happy to spend our summer with the (Intern) class of 2024!