Welcoming Dr. Erin Westfall to the TeachAids Board of Directors

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Erin Westfall to the TeachAids Board of Directors. A respected physician, educator, and champion of health equity, Dr. Westfall brings a career rooted in service to underserved communities and a deep belief in relational, culturally grounded care.

Dr. Westfall is the Program Director for the Family Medicine Residency program at Mayo Clinic in Mankato, Minnesota. Nationally recognized for her leadership in rural medicine and community health, she has consistently worked to bridge the gap between medical institutions and the people they serve.

Rooted in Rural America, Driven by Purpose

Raised in a town of 2,000 in eastern Colorado, Dr. Westfall’s passion for health equity began early. “People had to drive hours to get care,” she recalled. “I knew I wanted to change that.” Her journey has taken her from community-focused medical training to shaping the next generation of physicians, instilling in them the importance of leading with humility, curiosity, and a deep respect for community voices.

Practicing Medicine with Cultural Humility

As a professor and practicing physician, Dr. Westfall has developed health programs for underserved populations, from oral health for rural children to culturally specific health literacy workshops for Somali immigrants. “Even when a community asks for your help, it doesn’t mean you know how to give it well,” she reflected. Her ability to listen, learn from mistakes, and rebuild trust defines her approach.

Training Physicians to Tackle Systems, Not Just Symptoms

At her residency program, Dr. Westfall led a transformation of the curriculum to directly address the social drivers of health. This includes workshops on social medicine, justice, and structural inequities. “We can’t pretend healthcare isn’t political,” she said. “We have to name the systems shaping outcomes and talk about them with our trainees.”

She also helped implement the role of Health Equity Coordinator to ensure patients' social needs are supported across every touchpoint, from food access to unstable housing. Her focus: make care reachable, relational, and responsive.

Reconnecting with a Mission That Resonates

Despite her full-time clinical and teaching roles, Dr. Westfall is dedicating her time to join the TeachAids Board. Her close friendship with founder Dr. Piya Sorcar dates back to their undergraduate years. “When we reconnected nearly two decades later, we realized how much our work aligns.”

She was drawn to TeachAids’ model of culturally relevant, peer-driven health education. “Health literacy is powerful, but only if it’s relatable. TeachAids meets people where they are and builds capacity in communities, not just clinics.”

A Voice for Equity, A Partner in Progress

Dr. Westfall brings valuable insight from the frontlines of rural and refugee care, along with a reflective, collaborative leadership style. “I’m not here to direct,” she said. “I’m here to support, to ensure this work continues to reach those who are too often left behind.”

We are deeply honored to have Dr. Erin Westfall join our Board of Directors and excited for the wisdom and heart she brings to TeachAids’ mission.