Built by
Volunteers
This book didn't come from a publishing house or a funded team. It came from over 40 volunteers — students, editors, designers, researchers, social media managers, and coordinators — who believed the stories were worth the work.
Every part of this book was volunteer-made
From the first interview to the cover design to the launch event in Chicago — every piece was produced by students who gave their time because they believed in the mission.
Pages Written, Edited & Published
From raw interview transcripts to a finished, published book. Two professional editors, volunteer editorial contributors, and four beta readers shaped every page.
Professionals Interviewed & Featured
Volunteer outreach coordinators and communications leads reached, scheduled, and facilitated interviews with 30 healthcare professionals across six specialties.
Social Platforms Built & Managed
Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn — reels, posts, graphics, and campaigns produced and managed entirely by the volunteer content and social media team.
Thematic Parts Shaped by Research
A five-person research team sourced the peer-reviewed citations and real-world data that ground each of the book's six parts in evidence — not just narrative.
Cover Designed from Scratch
A volunteer graphic designer created the book's cover — described in the acknowledgments as "visually stunning" and perfectly representing the heart of the project.
Full Launch Event Produced
A live in-person launch at Loyola Chicago with on-site media and PR coverage — planned, coordinated, and executed entirely by the volunteer team.
The people who held it all together
Acknowledged by name in the book for their outsized contributions — the leads, editors, designers, and coordinators without whom this project wouldn't exist.
Communications, PR, marketing, and project management across every stage. The connective tissue of the entire project — acknowledged in the book for her meticulous attention to detail and outstanding leadership.
Led the visual team and designed all visual content. Her creativity and vision brought the project to life through the imagery, graphics, and layout that give the book its look.
Nearly 20 years of editorial experience. USC Annenberg graduate, contributor to peer-reviewed publications. Shaped the final manuscript into the polished, professional work it became.
Howard University graduate and freelance medical writer and editor. Has worked with Johnson & Johnson, P&G, and Medline. Brought clinical precision to every page.
BFA in Graphic Design from Cal State Long Beach. Created the book's cover — described in the acknowledgments as a visually stunning design that perfectly represents the heart of the project.
Dedicated to internal communication and logistics, ensuring clear and effective coordination across the full team throughout the project's entire run.
"This project would not have been possible without the dedication of our incredible volunteer team."— Ramsha Essa & Mirza Baig, from the Acknowledgments
Every name in the book
Named in the acknowledgments of Heroes Behind the Mask — over 40 students from across the country who gave their time across social media, research, editorial, marketing, outreach, and logistics.
The first readers of the final manuscript
Four individuals whose thoughtful feedback, attention to detail, and support were crucial in refining the final version of the book.
Phase 2 is just beginning
Phase 1 built the book. Phase 2 takes it national — into classrooms, campuses, and healthcare programs across the country. The volunteer work isn't done.
What the community already built
- 30 healthcare professionals interviewed and featured across 6 thematic parts
- Full manuscript written, edited, designed, and published
- Book launch event in Chicago, April 2025
- Hundreds of copies sold
- Social media presence built across three platforms
- Research, PR, outreach, and coordination — all volunteer-run
What we're building next
- Educational integration with universities and health programs
- Partnerships, events, and co-branded campaigns
- National campus showcases and community panels
- Digital storytelling and grants to sustain the mission
- Curriculum integration in pre-health and medical education
Join the team that built this
Website, PR, partnerships, events, social media, and author support. Remote and flexible. Submit your interest and tell us which department excites you most.