People Archive - AMSA /people/ American Medical Student Association Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:06:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 Caimin Shuman /people/caimin-shuman/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:06:27 +0000 /?post_type=people&p=21257 What inspired you to join AMSA? I am a first-generation college/medical student that followed a non-traditional route to medical school, and I grew up in rural northeast Florida. My upbringing taught me much about the struggles of the economically disadvantaged, and my family personally felt the strain of living in a medically underserved community, something...

The post Caimin Shuman appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
What inspired you to join AMSA?

I am a first-generation college/medical student that followed a non-traditional route to medical school, and I grew up in rural northeast Florida. My upbringing taught me much about the struggles of the economically disadvantaged, and my family personally felt the strain of living in a medically underserved community, something I always knew I wanted to address with my career once I had committed to medicine. When I learned of the work ÃÛÑ¿appdoes to better the world of medicine for all, especially to bring about meaningful change that serves those whose healthcare has historically been left behind… I knew I needed to do my part to help foster the change the people of this country and world desperately need. As a medical student, it’s so easy to feel small in a world much bigger than any one of us, but organizations like ÃÛÑ¿appgive us the unique opportunity to be seen and heard by those in power; to get a message out loud and clear that demands we do what is right and leave the field of medicine brighter than it was yesterday. What inspired me to join ÃÛÑ¿appis the same thing that inspired me to go down the path of medicine to begin with, to be a voice for the voiceless, a light for those lost in the dark, and to do everything I can to ensure just and fair treatment isn’t something people have to wish for, but something every man, woman, and child can obtain at any time for any reason.

What motivated you to become a national leader or volunteer?

As I alluded to in my inspiration for joining AMSA, I’ve known from the time I was a child that the world of medicine wasn’t a fair one. I knew that not all were treated with the grace and respect each and every one of us deserve, and I struggled for years to figure out why so much about this field seemed so wrong, when we pride ourselves as medical professionals in doing what is right. As a second-year medical student I began learning more about advocacy work, and how pre-professional medical students have a chance to make the change we hope to see in the world of medicine a reality. Dedication to forwarding legislation and policy can directly shape the way every single person sees and interacts with healthcare, and as a national leader, I knew I would have the privilege to work directly towards building an equitable future for medicine through these means. It is my ultimate goal to know that I did what I could to create a world of medicine that is accessible, fair, and that caters to the needs of those who have yet to come as well as those here today, and I whole-heartedly believe becoming a national leader for ÃÛÑ¿appwas the best way for me to do exactly that.

Previous ÃÛÑ¿apppositions held

  • Environmental Health Action Committee Chair (2025-2026)

Skills

  • Professional communications (UCF PPMS President, Scribe/Technician experience)
  • Design (UCF MSAS Executive Board member)
  • Teaching (UCF human anatomy TA, CMU College of Medicine anatomy dissection program member)

The post Caimin Shuman appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Eleanor Renteria /people/eleanor-renteria/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:59:55 +0000 /?post_type=people&p=21256 What inspired you to join AMSA? I joined ÃÛÑ¿appbecause I wanted to keep learning skills that could directly improve my patients’ experience. Coming from a prehospital background as a 911 EMT, I had a working understanding of trauma-informed care in the field, but I recognized a gap in my knowledge of how those principles...

The post Eleanor Renteria appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
What inspired you to join AMSA?

I joined ÃÛÑ¿appbecause I wanted to keep learning skills that could directly improve my patients’ experience. Coming from a prehospital background as a 911 EMT, I had a working understanding of trauma-informed care in the field, but I recognized a gap in my knowledge of how those principles translate into the clinical hospital setting. The trauma informed care course through the ÃÛÑ¿appScholars Program was my entry point into ÃÛÑ¿appand it filled that gap in a way I had been unable to find elsewhere. More than anything, I want my future patients to leave our clinical encounters with a clearer understanding of their own health and feeling like they were part of the process, not just recipients of it. ÃÛÑ¿appfelt like the right community to help me build toward that.

What motivated you to become a national leader or volunteer?

The conversations I had throughout the TIC course were some of the best seminar-based discussions I have had in a class setting in years. As those conversations unfolded, I found myself thinking about perspectives and experiences that the curriculum had not yet had the chance to incorporate, and I knew I wanted to be part of developing it further. What I want most as a course director Is for students to leave with something they can carry into every part of their lives, because trauma-informed care belongs in the clinic, at the bedside, in the relationships they build with patients over time, and in the way we treat the people around us every day.

Skills

I have extensive experience in academic writing, editing, and communications through my work as founder and Editor-in-Chief of Praxis: A Scholarship Journal of Lived Experience, where I have built peer review infrastructure, trained reviewers and editors, and developed outreach materials for faculty across disciplines. My research background includes working with large dataset analysis using R and Python, survey instrument development, and scientific writing for academic audiences. I also have direct experience in curriculum and training development, having designed reviewer and editor training modules, built course materials in Google Classroom.

External Affiliations

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
  • American Physician Scientists Association (APSA)
  • Minorities in Medicine at ASU
  • Black Medical Student Association at ASU

The post Eleanor Renteria appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Arman Seth /people/arman-seth-2/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:44:17 +0000 /?post_type=people&p=21255 What inspired you to join AMSA? I was inspired to join ÃÛÑ¿appbecause I believe healthcare is a human right, and physicians have a responsibility to advocate for patients both inside and outside of the clinic. My experiences in medicine have shown me that health is deeply connected to social justice. Factors such as income,...

The post Arman Seth appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
What inspired you to join AMSA?

I was inspired to join ÃÛÑ¿appbecause I believe healthcare is a human right, and physicians have a responsibility to advocate for patients both inside and outside of the clinic. My experiences in medicine have shown me that health is deeply connected to social justice. Factors such as income, education, housing, race, geography, and public policy all shape a person’s ability to receive quality care. I want to be part of an organization that recognizes these realities and works to address them.
AMSA’s commitment to advocacy, health equity, and social justice strongly resonates with my values. I believe reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right, and protecting access to comprehensive reproductive care is essential to promoting the health, autonomy, and dignity of patients. I also believe men have an important role to play in reproductive health. Too often these conversations are viewed as issues that only affect women, when in reality everyone has a responsibility to listen, learn, advocate, and help create a healthcare system that respects patients’ rights and bodily autonomy.
Joining ÃÛÑ¿appis an opportunity to work alongside other physicians and medical students who are committed to advancing health equity through advocacy, education, and service.

What motivated you to become a national leader or volunteer?

My motivation to become a national volunteer grew from the incredible sense of community I found through AMSA. After attending the Health Equity and Advocacy Week of Action, participating in community-building sessions, and having the honor of attending the Committee to Protect Healthcare Summit in Chicago as an ÃÛÑ¿apprepresentative, I realized I had found a group of people who shared many of the same values that brought me to medicine in the first place. The conversations were thoughtful, welcoming, and centered on advocacy, social justice, and the belief that physicians have a responsibility to improve the healthcare system for everyone.

What stood out to me most was how genuinely connected everyone was. Even as a new member, I felt encouraged to contribute, ask questions, and engage with others who were passionate about making a difference. Those experiences showed me that advocacy is strongest when it is rooted in community and collaboration. After speaking with several national leaders about ways to become more involved, I was encouraged to apply for a volunteer position, and I knew I wanted to help create the same welcoming environment that inspired me.

As Community and Communications Lead, I hope to strengthen connections between members, amplify opportunities for advocacy and engagement, and foster an inclusive community where every member feels heard, supported, and empowered to make an impact. I want to help ensure that students find a community that reminds them they are not doing this work alone.

Previous ÃÛÑ¿apppositions held

  • Scholars Program Member
  • Digital Rural Health Project Georgia Committee Member
  • Digital Rural Health Project – Research Leader (Co-)

Awards and Recognition

  • Dean’s List (x3)

Skills

Some social media; my wife is great at marketing. I can talk to anyone about anything, and get along with everyone in some capacity.

External Affiliations

  • Committee To Protect Healthcare
  • Men4Choice

The post Arman Seth appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Jacob Spaulding /people/jacob-spaulding/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:40:52 +0000 /?post_type=people&p=21254 What inspired you to join AMSA? Throughout medical school, I have become increasingly interested in how factors outside the clinic shape patient health. My background in chemistry, including graduate coursework in green chemistry, introduced me to the connection between environmental stewardship and human health long before medical school. As I began caring for patients and...

The post Jacob Spaulding appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
What inspired you to join AMSA?

Throughout medical school, I have become increasingly interested in how factors outside the clinic shape patient health. My background in chemistry, including graduate coursework in green chemistry, introduced me to the connection between environmental stewardship and human health long before medical school. As I began caring for patients and volunteering through Street Medicine, I saw firsthand how environmental exposures, housing conditions, and access to healthy communities influence health outcomes.

ÃÛÑ¿appstood out to me because of its commitment to advocacy, education, and empowering medical students to create meaningful change. I wanted to be part of an organization that encourages future physicians to consider the broader environmental and social factors that affect the patients we serve, alongside the clinical care we provide.

What motivated you to become a national leader or volunteer?

The most rewarding experiences I’ve had in medical school have come from teaching, mentoring, and serving others. Whether coordinating volunteers, mentoring students, or participating in community outreach, I’ve learned that leadership is about creating opportunities for others to grow and make a difference.

Serving as a national leader allows me to contribute beyond my own campus and help develop educational resources that can benefit medical students across the country. As Environmental Health Education Coordinator, I hope to make environmental health topics more approachable, clinically relevant, and engaging while encouraging students to recognize the important role physicians play in protecting both individual and public health.

Awards and Recognition

Myler Scholarship (Central Michigan University College of Medicine, 2025–2029)
Undergraduate Research and Creative Projects Funding (Wayne State University, 2023)
Graduated Summa Cum Laude with Departmental Honors in Neuroscience (Wayne State University, 2024)

Skills

I have experience organizing educational programming, coordinating volunteers, and leading student organizations. My strengths include communication, mentorship, public speaking, event planning, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. I enjoy translating complex scientific concepts into practical, engaging educational content and have experience working with community outreach initiatives and student organizations. I also have experience with scientific writing, literature review, and research, which helps me develop evidence-based educational materials for diverse audiences.

External Affiliations

Central Michigan University School of Medicine

The post Jacob Spaulding appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Sara Amini /people/sara-amini/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:29:47 +0000 /?post_type=people&p=21251 Inspiration to join ÃÛÑ¿appWhat inspired me to join ÃÛÑ¿appin the first place was the community. When I was 18 and had just moved to the United States, I wanted to feel like I belonged in medicine, and ÃÛÑ¿appgave me that right away. The advocacy is what kept me here. Seeing how AMSA...

The post Sara Amini appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Inspiration to join AMSA

What inspired me to join ÃÛÑ¿appin the first place was the community. When I was 18 and had just moved to the United States, I wanted to feel like I belonged in medicine, and ÃÛÑ¿appgave me that right away. The advocacy is what kept me here. Seeing how ÃÛÑ¿apphelps students deal with real healthcare problems and make a difference gave my work with the organization a deeper meaning and made me want to keep growing within it.

Motivation to become a National Leader

As I got more involved in AMSA, I realized that I didn’t just want to be a part of it; I wanted to help make it better for everyone else. The community that first drew me in had a big effect on me, and it felt natural to want to give back. AMSA’s work for students also showed me how much power students can have when they have the right platform. Becoming a national leader seemed like the best way to combine those two goals: helping others while working for bigger changes in healthcare, especially in the current climate.

Previous ÃÛÑ¿appLeadership Experience

National

Medical School

Undergraduate

Awards Received

Skills

External Affiliations

The post Sara Amini appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Brandon Githinji /people/brandon-githinji/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:27:28 +0000 /?post_type=people&p=21250 Bio coming soon!...

The post Brandon Githinji appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Bio coming soon!

The post Brandon Githinji appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Kathleen Egan /people/kathleen-egan/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:27:03 +0000 /?post_type=people&p=21249 Bio coming soon!...

The post Kathleen Egan appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Bio coming soon!

The post Kathleen Egan appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Open Position /people/open-position-5/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:26:37 +0000 /?post_type=people&p=21248 The post Open Position appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
The post Open Position appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Daryl Traylor /people/daryl-traylor/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:26:14 +0000 /?post_type=people&p=21247 Bio coming soon!...

The post Daryl Traylor appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Bio coming soon!

The post Daryl Traylor appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
Open Position /people/open-position-4/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:25:26 +0000 /?post_type=people&p=21246 The post Open Position appeared first on AMSA.

]]>
The post Open Position appeared first on AMSA.

]]>