Mia-Cirone
Mia Cirone
My AI Traning
Multicutural Health Institute
Organization Facts
The Multicultural Health Institute (MHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 by Dr. Lisa A. Merritt and based in Sarasota, Florida. Its central mission is to address health inequities and improve healthcare access and treatment for vulnerable communities.
MHI organizes its work around its PEARLS model: Prevention, Education and Advocacy, Resources, Linkage to Care, and Sustainability.
Its programs address conditions and disparities involving cancer, diabetes, obesity, stroke, cardiovascular disease, infant mortality, mental health, and environmentally related health disorders.
MHI also provides health screenings, education, care coordination, navigation, and other resources designed to help individuals better understand and access the healthcare system.
Multicutural Health Institute
About the Organization
MHI seeks to “level the healthcare playing field” by reducing disparities in healthcare access, treatment, prevention, and health education among vulnerable populations.
The organization combines preventative screenings with education and advocacy so community members can identify health risks earlier and become stronger advocates for their own healthcare needs.
Its initiatives include diabetes prevention and lifestyle education, care coordination, environmental health programming, mental health initiatives for veterans, and youth-focused environmental education.
In 2025, MHI reported conducting 127 outreach events reaching approximately 6,000 people, while its care coordination and navigation program has provided direct assistance to more than 1,000 individuals since its launch.
Multicutural Health Institute
Community Involvement
MHI works through a coalition of staff, board members, volunteers, healthcare professionals, community-facing agencies, and community-based organizations.
Its documented partners include the Gulf Coast Medical Society, Cobb Institute, Resilient Americans Coalition, National Medical Association, American Red Cross, Project HOPE, and Morehouse School of Medicine.
The organization has also maintained a partnership with AmeriCorps for more than a decade, using AmeriCorps VISTA members to strengthen community engagement, health education, and programming.
Community members can participate through health events, office and program volunteering, organizational partnerships, advocacy, and MHI’s scholar program for students interested in healthcare careers.
Multicutural Health Institute
Funding Source
MHI is supported primarily through charitable contributions and philanthropic giving. Its 2024 IRS filing reported $98,527 in revenue, 100% of which was classified as contributions.
The organization accepts direct donations and operates fundraising campaigns throughout the year to support healthcare equity programs and community outreach.
MHI also participates in philanthropic initiatives including Give 8/28, Giving Tuesday, and the Giving Challenge through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
Donor support helps finance community screenings and outreach, chronic disease prevention and education, care coordination, and training for the next generation of Community Health Workers.
My AI Proposal
Throughout the AI & Medical Innovation Internship, I worked closely with Multicutural Health Institute to understand its operating model, goals, current patient intake system, and growth opportunities. Alongside Dr. Daniel Spar and Dr. Omar Aljawfi, I learned the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and explored how emerging AI technologies can be strategically applied to address real-world medical operational challenges, including patient intake, community awareness campaigns, patient-interface systems, and more.
Throughout the week, my team approached Multicutural Health Institute as business consultants, analyzing its existing processes, identifying operational vulnerabilities, and evaluating areas where artificial intelligence could create meaningful value. We considered the organization’s specific needs and researched potential AI applications that could improve efficiency, strengthen operations, support patients, and contribute to long-term growth.
Using our research and analysis, my team developed a comprehensive AI business proposal tailored specifically to Multicutural Health Institute. Our recommendations outlined practical strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into the organization while considering implementation, potential risks, and ethical and legal frameworks. The final proposal, shown alongside this description, represents the culmination of our week-long consulting process and demonstrates how AI can be applied strategically to solve real medical challenges.
My AI Proposal Presentation
During the AI & Medical Innovation Internship, I worked with Dr. Daniel Spar and Dr. Omar Aljawfi to learn about the basics of artificial intelligence and the potential medical applications it possesses.
Throughout the week, I worked with a clinic named Multicutural Health Institute to develop AI solutions to support their operations and healthcare offerings. I worked with my team to analyze the opportunities for growth as well as their current vulnerabilities.
At the end of the week, I presented my AI proposal to a panel of judges and the LI Grant Committee, and I received grant money to implement the solution to support the clinic, their healthcare services, and the broader health of their community.
Internship Highlights
Throughout my internship, I participated in multiple hands-on labs that allowed me to utilize technology and artificial intelligence to create solutions for optimization in various healthcare settings.
These labs were created to replicate real-world scenarios and enabled me to develop applicable solutions to complex problems. This immersive experience allowed me to develop proficiencies in programming languages, implementing CNNs for image classification in the context of diagnostics, and the use of predictive analytics in healthcare.
Each session required attention to detail and the utilization of my skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and adaptability to learn in a fast-paced setting. This was an invaluable experience that allowed me to translate theoretical knowledge into tangible solutions.
Virtual and augmented reality have transformed healthcare delivery, allowing medical professionals and students to learn and perform select diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in a remote setting.
During this internship, I had the opportunity to learn about the uses of virtual reality in medicine. I also participated in hands-on activities that allowed me to learn about the applications of virtual reality in surgery and radiation oncology planning.
Many people live in areas where access to quality care of specialty services is limited. Virtual reality and technology have been instrumental in bridging this gap. These activities helped broaden our understanding of this complex issue, and this new knowledge will be applied to the solutions we develop for our clinical partners.
During my internship, I gained valuable insight into the world of robotics from Dr. Laura Stegner, a distinguished professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at The George Washington University. She introduced the concepts behind a wide range of technology that facilitates the delivery of more precise, efficient, and minimally invasive patient care.
Dr. Stegner, alongside lectures from MedStar faculty, including Dr. Omar Aljawfi, covered the growing potential of medical innovation and the increasing demand due to the aging patient population. Current applications include surgical robotics, rehabilitation and exoskeleton technology, automation in laboratory settings, and remote care robotics.
Additionally, we researched the logistical and regulatory challenges associated with implementing medical technology and innovation into day-to-day practice. These challenges include the high cost associated with the machinery and the specialized training required for operation.
Understanding the logistical, financial, and medical implications of this technology enabled me to strengthen my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, allowing us to apply this knowledge to our clinical partnership.
During my internship, I had the opportunity to apply my training in AI consulting by working directly with clinics around the United States. Meeting with Multicutural Health Institute allowed me to gain a clear understanding of their goals, challenges, and long-term vision, giving me the chance to explore how artificial intelligence could provide meaningful solutions.
Working alongside their leadership, I developed tailored recommendations on how AI tools could streamline operations, improve patient relations, and improve healthcare offerings. This included analyzing areas where automation could reduce inefficiencies, identifying opportunities for predictive analytics, and suggesting ways to incorporate AI-driven patient strategies.
Through this hands-on consulting experience, I not only strengthened my ability to assess patient and clinic needs and translate them into actionable strategies but also learned the importance of aligning AI solutions with each clinic’s unique context. By applying these skills, I was able to deliver practical recommendations that could support Multicutural Health Institute in reaching its goals and preparing for long-term success in an increasingly data-driven economy.