Join future entrepreneurs, scientists, and clinicians
in empowering pediatric patients
iCAN’s Young Adult Professional Program provides young
professionals in the first stages of their career, ages ~19 -29, with the tools, network opportunities, and community needed to excel as they transition from students to professionals.
iCAN is committed to empowering young people to become future leaders, researchers, innovators, and clinicians in the world of healthcare. No matter where one is in their growth and development, the Young Adult Professionals program will help develop necessary skills such as leadership and communication.
By connecting young people with their peers and the larger iCAN community, iCAN Young Adult Professionals empowers them to reach their full potential in their careers.
01
Healthcare Decision Making for Young Adults with Rare Diseases: A Resource Guide
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This guide is developed by experts in EveryLife Foundation’s Young Adult Rare Representatives (YARR) program. It contains advice on anything from setting up healthcare insurance to organizing information after a doctor's appointment.
02
Financial Knowledge in RARE: Navigating the US Health System for Young Adults
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This guide provides information and tools to help you have purposeful conversations with your family and care providers about care transitions. These conversations can prepare you to make the transition into adult care, set health goals, and work with your adult care team.
03
Taking Control from RARE: Gaining Independence as a Young Adult with a Rare Disease
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This guide provides both detailed explanation and tools on steps to take as young adults approach adulthood while living with a rare disease. This tool kit is geared towards families and young adults and aims to help support them on topics such as building self confidence, managing treatment, understanding healthcare and much more!
YPN's Amazing Leaders
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Ella Schaffer
Co-Chair
Ella Schaffer is a member of the Class of 2027 at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where she studies neuroscience with minors in biology and interdisciplinary literature and psychology. Inspired by her childhood in Chicago, she aspires to become a physician serving pediatric patients and underserved populations. Ella joined iCAN in high school seeking to better understand the patient perspective and gain greater insight into pediatric healthcare. Additionally, being Polish, she was drawn to iCAN’s global outreach and emphasis on collaboration across countries. She now looks forward to helping lead the Young Professionals Network and contributing to iCAN’s noble mission.
Anvita Ambardekar
Co-Chair
Anvita Ambardekar is an 18-year-old Irvine, California, and an aspiring medical device innovator. Anvita was diagnosed with small bowel Crohn’s disease at age 13, which sparked her passion for patient advocacy and giving young patients a voice in healthcare. She has been a member of the International Children’s Advisory Network (iCAN) for three years, serving on its Advisory Board and participating in multiple KIDS chapters, including KIDS CHOC, KIDS Research, and Summit Planning Committee. She attended iCAN Summits in Bari, Italy (2024), and Montreal, Canada (2025), and represented pediatric patients at FDA meetings to provide insight into the patient and community perspective on healthcare programs and research. Outside of iCAN, she loves to cook and bake!
Mary El-Abed
Co-Chair
Mary is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UCLA, majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics on the pre-med track. Her interest in patient advocacy began after being diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) at a young age, which shaped her understanding of the healthcare system from a patient’s perspective. Mary has worked in pediatric healthcare innovation through the Mi4 Institute at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and currently supports clinical research in the UCLA Emergency Department, where she helps enroll patients in ongoing studies. She is passionate about connecting research, innovation, and patient voices to improve healthcare outcomes. Through iCAN’s Young Professional Network, Mary hopes to help create a supportive community where young professionals can collaborate, share ideas, and contribute to advancing healthcare and patient advocacy.