CWRU undergraduate Reda Riffi has been awarded the Dream Fund award to support his international efforts in promoting health equity. A dedicated neuroscience student, brain cancer researcher, student leader and founder of the Eleos Association, Riffi will use the award to foster collaborations with organizations in Europe and Africa to advance healthcare access for underserved communities.
Riffi’s journey toward medical and health equity leadership has been shaped by his unique global experiences. Born in Ohio, he spent much of his life abroad, living in Morocco and graduating from a French high school before studying medicine in Tunisia, where he served in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic for two years. A passionate world traveler, he has visited 41 countries, driven by his curiosity about cultural differences, world peace, public health, and multiculturalism. His diverse experiences have deepened his commitment to health equity, diversity, and inclusion. Since joining CWRU in 2022, Reda Riffi accumulated several awards and funding for his work and vision. His mission is to promote health equity for the underprivileged, in particular for cancer patients, through community service, leadership, passion for discovery and cancer research.
The Dream Fund, established to remove financial barriers for students pursuing experiential education, will empower Riffi to embark on a global networking initiative that will expand international partnerships and advance health equity efforts. His itinerary includes strategic engagements with international health organizations, key partners, and advocacy groups across Africa and Europe, forging alliances that will strengthen Eleos’ global impact. Through the Eleos Association, Reda Riffi is dedicated to making an impact by supporting underserved communities especially in Africa. Now, he is developing Eleos to benefit the CWRU student body, creating research, advocacy, and service-based opportunities for the next generation of CWRU students to engage in global health initiatives. “My goal is to ensure that Eleos becomes a bridge for students at CWRU who want to make a real impact through this same mission,” Riffi added. “With strong international partnerships, we can open doors for students to engage in healthcare projects, advocacy work, and community service on an international scale.”
Congratulations Reda!
