Ilyas Mehkri

Executive Director

Ilyas is a first-year medical student at New York Medical College and currently serves as Co-Executive Director of the NYMC Center for Human Rights. Born in Yonkers, New York, and raised in Central Jersey, Ilyas studied at Washington University in St. Louis, where he volunteered at a local psychiatric care center serving underserved and marginalized populations. This experience deepened his passion for advocacy and highlighted the vital role healthcare providers can play in supporting individuals facing significant social and systemic challenges. His upbringing and volunteer work have driven him to stand beside those whose voices often go unheard, especially asylum seekers navigating complex legal and medical systems. As a child of immigrants, he feels a deep connection to the mission of NYMC CHR and is committed to using medicine to promote equity, dignity, and access. Outside of school, he enjoys lifting, playing basketball, and spending quality time with his family and friends.