Premed Leadership Introductions

Tej Nuthulaganti Rutgers University - Camden National Premedical Trustee-at-Large Welcome to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). AMSA is our nation's oldest and largest medical student association and is currently composed of more than 68,000 members. AMSA members are medical students, premeds, resident physicians, and physicians who are all advocating change in medicine, as all members have for over 50 years now. I've been involved in AMSA as a premed for 4 years. During this time AMSA has shown me amazing possibilities as a premed. I first started to get involved with AMSA because my home college was missing the link from undergraduate education to health care. I was going through the motions of my classes and really had a hard time figuring out why I wanted to be a doctor. I know what you're thinking- he's going to say, "I wanted to help people". You're absolutely right. Wanting to help people and liking science were the only reasons I had as a freshman. It seemed to be everyone's reason until I got involved and became more informed. After getting involved with AMSA, I started to understand how medicine works, the politics behind it, why medical school costs so much, how to start a clinic in an underdeveloped area, the importance of our voice as physicians-in-training in Congress, the differences between single payer vs. multi payer health care models, the pros and cons against Universal Health Care and HMO's, and much more. AMSA provides you the necessary tools to become an informed applicant and physician-in-training without having to go out on your own and rediscover the wheel. AMSA has made me an informed applicant to medical school by allowing me to work hand-in-hand with medical students. It provided me with the culture I was missing as an undergrad. AMSA having a chapter at virtually every medical school provides premeds with an unprecedented networking opportunity! Through AMSA's many services like medical school student surveys, personal statement writing workshops, and amazing networking capabilities at conferences and institutes, AMSA has been my premed advisor every step of the way. Throughout the course of the year I want to share with you stories of fellow premed members that have had some amazing experiences through the premed page of the AMSA website and through monthly newsletters. I encourage you to get involved by coming out to our regional conferences this fall and our national convention this March. Throughout the school year please email me and keep in touch. I'll inform you of upcoming opportunities and ways you can get more involved to enhance your knowledge as a future health care worker. Regardless, if you are a premed just browsing around, an AMSA member, or a chapter officer, I encourage you to introduce yourself to me and find out how you can get involved! AMSA has been my link from my college to a future physician and I want to share with you how it can be yours. My number and email are below. I look forward to talking to you.

Christine Lee Rutgers University - New Brunswick Campus in New Brunswick, NJ Premedical Region 2 Director Greetings, Region II and fellow AMSA members! I am absolutely excited to serve as the Premedical Regional Director (PRD) for Region II for the upcoming year, which comprises of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Puerto Rico. Well, let me backtrack for a second and tell you a little bit about myself! I am currently a fourth year undergraduate student at Rutgers University- New Brunswick and am studying Genetics and English. My aspiration is to become a physician one day and my more immediate goal is to help create an environment in which we, future physicians, can build individual proactive leadership. For the upcoming year, I have several goals in mind for our region—my major goals include building a strong foundation for struggling and up-and-coming local. I would also like to help take strong chapters to the next level by providing them with valuable resources. Additionally, I look forward to increasing communication amongst the different local chapters and work towards collaboration and sharing of ideas, especially with regards to programming. Ultimately, I am always open to new ideas from all of the local chapters! I am simply a liaison and an instrument to making your visions & goals for AMSA come true. So, never hesitate to contact me through email or phone and share your ideas and concerns. I am truly looking forward to a year of collaboration and advance for Region II! Cheers!

David Ciaccia Temple University in Philadelphia, PA Premedical Region 3 Director I first began my long and initially stressful track as a pre-med when I found out about a more holistic approach to practicing medicine than the cold doctor visits I had in my past. In my sophomore year, I joined one of the AMSA premed chapters and quickly became involved, becoming a chapter officer. I became involved with the primary intentions of helping other premeds navigate through the premed obstacle course which included things like having a high GPA, how to get a strong MCAT score, opportunities for a superb volunteer record, and developing a primary understanding on why I want to go to medical school. These were all great and able get one into medical school but I felt like, "Where's the creme filling?" It was not until I attended one of the regional conferences did I find and understand the diversity of premed development. In experiencing AMSA on a national level, I came in contact with other premeds who had similar altruistic goals and interests within medicine that aligned with mine. I was excited that there was a physician-in-training community who said going into medicine is going to be worth it. Through being involved in AMSA, I was able to develop my interests in public health and preventive medicine and grow in my understanding about issues that affects us all like our nation's health care crisis or the global health inequality that unfortunately exists. AMSA has given me the opportunity to look forward not only to medical school but to make medicine a lifelong career for the purpose of fulfilling the humanistic values of life. Now that I'm the Premedical Regional Director (PRD) for region 3 which includes Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, I'm in a position where I can work with amazing AMSA premeds in this idea of premed activism and development. My desire as a PRD is to be that connection between national AMSA and at the same time connecting various premed and medical AMSA chapters in key geographical areas. Through this initiative, I hope to boost premed membership, install a fire of passion for medicine in premeds, keep a well established connection between national AMSA and its premedical chapters, visiting various chapters for organizational support, and help with recruitment and funding for premeds to attend our regional and national conferences. Ultimately, it is to develop a premed that has his/her eyes fully open into becoming a physician and wants to change the world at the same time.

Bobbie-Jo Dyson Kent State University in Kent, Ohio Premedical Region 4 Director My name is Bobbie-Jo Dyson and I attend Kent State University in Ohio. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. I absolutely love AMSA! Throughout my undergraduate years, AMSA has given me a new view on medicine and a new enthusiasm for the medical field through its activism and support! I represent Region 4 which includes the 17 chartered chapters in Ohio and Michigan. As your Pre-medical Regional Director, I act as a liaison between national AMSA to existing premedical chapters and potential premedical chapters. I have several goals while serving my term this year. The first is to establish connections between premedical chapters within our region. This will create a passage to network and collaborate with each other and share information on AMSA related projects. Also, the connection between local pre-medical chapters and national AMSA is very important for the heart of each chapter; therefore I would like to keep an open line of communication with the leaders of each chapter. I welcome you to present any questions you may have about issues presented in your local chapter as well as questions about national AMSA. The knowledge of national AMSA events is very important for local chapters. This is why attending regional and national conferences are vital to each chapter’s success. I will assist you in fundraising ideas and writing letters to your college/university to help you solicit funding that will allow you to attend these conferences. I am really excited to act as your Region 4 PRD this year! Please take my information down and contact me, I would love to speak with you about your chapter and learn how I can be of assistance to you!

Lesford Duncan University of Florida in Gainsville, FL Premedical Region 5 Director Hi, my name is Lesford Duncan. I am a rising junior, and a Microbiology major and Anthropology minor at the University of Florida. As Premedical Region 5 Director (PRD), I represent North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. My most important role as PRD is to function as a resource to the schools in the Southeast, providing advice, support, or just a listening ear where needed. If there are any unchartered schools that have a sincere desire to become a chartered Premed AMSA chapter, I will do everything in my ability to see to it that you have the proper resources and guidance to become a strong chapter. Also, it is an important goal of mine to focus on schools that have highly underrepresented populations, such as, but not limited to, Black and Hispanic students. Minorities make up about 6% of all the physicians in the U.S., while composing more than a 1/4 of the US population. I believe that by incorporating Premed AMSA chapters into non-chartered schools, we can increase, even if only marginally, the percentage of minorities in the medical field. For the handful of recently started Premed AMSA chapters, I will help you to grow into your full potential. For the many struggling chapters, I am here to lend a hand in revamping and revitalizing your organizations. For the more established chapters, feel free to use me for fresh ideas for your program or organizational matters. Nevertheless, no matter what type of Premed AMSA chapter you’re a part of, I’m your resource! The second most important initiative for me is tightening the ties between the Premed AMSA chapters of the Southeast and National AMSA. It would only make sense, since you’re the medical students of tomorrow, that your ideas and concerns are heard by our national organization today. The Southeast Premed AMSA has the aptitude to become a strong voice in our local communities, in our nation, and in our global neighborhood. First, though, we need to unite, be it through the sharing of ideas or the promotion of joint events. We are all striving to become health professionals. Your choice to join Premed AMSA was one of the first steps in achieving that goal. Now, become active in your communities, become leaders in your societies, and become passionate about what you do. Because what you do now will affect your future and, very much, the future of the many lives you will soon touch.

Connor Deal University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign in Urbana, IL Premedical Region 6 Director Three years ago on a sunny day during my freshman year at the University of Illinois, I was wandering aimlessly in an endless ocean of people known as “Quad day.” I would mention that I had no way of seeing where I was going, but being 6’7” gives a distinct advantage when in large crowds. Interestingly, I didn’t spot the AMSA booth with my watchtower like capabilities. I heard it first. “WHO WANTS TO BE A DOCTOR?” Going into college knowing that medicine is the right career choice for me, I mentioned that I, in fact, want to become a doctor. “THEN SIGN THIS SHEET!” I didn’t realize that becoming a doctor was as easy as signing a sheet. Well, I found it was a little more difficult than that; but to be honest, that’s all it took. That first step of signing the sheet for AMSA let to a world of opportunity for me. I discovered the altruistic and holistic approach that AMSA has on medicine is the real way to think of medicine. AMSA has a way of helping you find out what part of medicine you are passionate about. It gives you so much more than just volunteering experience and MCAT help; it gives you insight into the true reason that you want to become a physician. As region 6 PRD, I am excited to help all chapters within Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana discover the events that will achieve that very goal. I want to help these chapters become more active with national AMSA and work with members and chapters to be more active and present in their communitie

Paige McGilvray University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR Premedical Region 7 Director Hi! I’m Paige McGilvray, and I’m pre-medical regional director for region 7, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. I’m from Little Rock, Arkansas and am currently working to finish up my degree in Biology at the University of Central Arkansas. I will have been involved with AMSA for four years and am serving as my local chapter’s president. If you are in my region, I would love to hear from you. I’m excited about helping to form fledgling AMSA chapters all across the mid-South! Please, please contact me if you have any questions at all, or just need a little encouragement. I look forward to working with you.

Cara Wiloughby Truman State University in Kirksville, MO Premedical Region 8 Director My name is Cara Willoughby and I will be a senior biology major this fall at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. As Premedical Regional Director (PRD) for Region VIII, I represent the states of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota. My primary goals for this year include strengthening our newly chartered chapters and reaching out to prospective AMSA chapters. I feel it necessary that the establishment of a bridge between premedical chapters and the national leadership of AMSA would be beneficial for the development of essential networking skills. During my three years as an AMSA member, I have become very familiar with the structure of AMSA and the vast resources this organization offers to its premedical members. AMSA has continually shaped my leadership skills and has strengthened my passion for medicine. It is my goal to inspire this same passion for all the pre-med AMSA chapters in region 8. As PRD, I hope to be able to create constant contact between all region 8 premedical chapters. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns. I look forward to the exciting year ahead and working with all of you!

Clay Ritchey Baylor University in Waco, TX Premedical Region 9 Director My name is Clay Ritchey and I am currently a graduate student at Baylor University working on a Masters of Science degree in Health Education. My degree focuses on community health and community interventions when dealing with specific health issues. I represent Region IX, which includes the great states of Texas and Oklahoma. I am here to serve as your liaison between your local AMSA chapter and National AMSA. I am also here to serve as a resource for chapter officers to gain the important information and advice needed to run a successful AMSA chapter. My goals for the region include increasing membership and chapters, increasing successful activities, implementing a bridge between premedical and medical students, and increasing the overall communication between local AMSA chapters and National AMSA. Therefore, please feel free to contact me if you would like recruitment strategy ideas, project ideas, chapter ideas, or if you’re interested in a chapter visit. I look forward to working with you all and I hope you have a successful and enjoyable year.

Amanda Barbeau University of California - Davis in Davis, CA Premedical Region 10 Director I am a recent graduate from the University of California, Davis with a double major in NPB (Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior) and Psychology. I will be starting a Masters in Public Health program in the fall. I am one of two pre-medical region 10 directors, and I am responsible for overseeing the development of, maintenance of, providing support to, and encouraging collaboration among all pre-medical AMSA chapters in Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. My goal as region 10 pre-medical director to these states for the upcoming year is not only to continue to encourage and support the already active and prospering chapters in our region, but to focus on the locations where AMSA may be needed most - Our junior colleges, and areas where there is a strong pre-med population, but little access to resources. It is important that a pre-medical voice is present in every state in our region so we can continue to support each other during our path to becoming a physician. Additionally, it is vital that AMSA be introduced to educational institutions that have surrounding communities in which a voice for healthcare activism is needed. It is my goal to inspire passion among region 10 chapters, and to not only encourage collaboration among chapters, but to cultivate the individuality that each chapter, and its surrounding community has to offer. I believe leadership is key, passion is a necessity, and advocating is a must for all pre-medical AMSA region 10 chapters. In the 6 years I have been involved in AMSA, it has continued to shape and challenge me as a leader. I intend to give back, and do the same for all the pre-med AMSA chapters of region 10. Let me know if there is anything you need! :)

Sarah Owens Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA Premedical Region 10 Director I am a senior biology major at Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA. In addition, to my love for all things biological, I am a history and Spanish minor. I am graduating in December and taking the rest of the year off to continue my work as a ski patroller. I also hope to travel before going to medical school. I have been involved in AMSA for four years, serving as president of my local chapter and as a national officer (Premedical Representative for the Military Medicine Interest Group and the Preventive Medicine Interest Group) for the last two years. My main responsibilities will be to serve as a liaison between pre-medical chapters in the region, particularly in the Southern half of Region 10. The Northern PRD and I will be working together closely so please feel free to contact either one of us. Region 10 covers a vast portion of the country; therefore one of my goals for this year is to increase communication between chapter officers. It is my hope that this unity will encourage the continuous growth of new chapters and renewed participation from those chapters that have become inactive. In addition, I hope to further develop and strengthen the bond between undergraduate chapters and corresponding medical chapters. I am looking forward to continuing my involvement with AMSA and, in particular, getting to know all of you at the local level!