Arni Madhok
Chief Executive Officer,
Neuro Kids Arc
CEO and Founder of Neuro Kids Arc, Arni started the initiative with a simple goal: to bring creativity, comfort, and connection to children in hospitals while also helping students discover opportunities in research and healthcare.
Her passion for service began in high school when she organized medical toy drives and volunteered with children. Through these experiences, she saw how small acts cards, care packages, and creative activities could bring meaningful joy to pediatric patients during difficult hospital stays. She wanted to expand these efforts and create a space where volunteers could host creative classes and engage with children in a supportive environment.
At the same time, Arni developed a strong interest in neuroscience and research. She has contributed to clinical research in neurosurgery at Tampa General Hospital and laboratory research at the Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute, where she has worked on studies examining brain function and neurological disease. She also previously participated in a brain sciences research program with Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Through these experiences, she recognized that many high school and undergraduate students struggle to find research opportunities, mentorship, and guidance on presenting their work. Neuro Kids Arc was created to bridge that gap—supporting hospitalized children while also helping students gain exposure to research, mentorship, and professional development.
Ana Cordero Batista
Chief Operating Officer,
Neuro Kids Arc
Ana helped start Neuro Kids Arc with the vision of creating a space where hospitalized children can experience moments of joy, comfort, and hope during difficult times. Through initiatives such as care packages, card-making, interactive creative classes, and toy drives, she strives to create meaningful moments that give children something positive to look forward to while in the hospital.
As a pre-medical student at the University of South Florida, Ana is passionate about connecting service with opportunities that inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. She currently serves as a Peer Mentor for the Rising Health Professionals Learning Community at USF, where she supports students in the volunteering and shadowing division by helping them navigate clinical experiences and mentorship opportunities in healthcare.
In addition to her leadership and mentorship work, Ana has contributed to research on literacy in oncology telemedicine, reflecting her academic interests in improving patient access and communication in healthcare. She is particularly interested in the fields of oncology and cardiology, and through her work with Neuro Kids Arc she has seen how compassion, service, and mentorship can shape a future physician.
By building this organization, Ana hopes to create opportunities for students who share the same passion for medicine and community service, while bringing smiles, comfort, and support to children facing challenging moments in hospitals.