2011-2012 ASA Medical Student Component Governing Council

Leadership Officials

David J. Garcia, President

David Garcia is a third year medical student at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University, class of 2013. He is a dual degree student at Midwestern University where he will graduate with his Doctor of Osteopathy and Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences. Prior to beginning his medical school education, David graduated from the University of Chicago in 2005 with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Biological Sciences. David was very active in several student organizations and held multiple leadership positions while at U of C, such as Vice President of the Student National Medical Association. After graduating from U of C, David worked as a certified anesthesia technician at Edward Hospital in Naperville, IL. During his time at Edward, David became the Lead Obstetric Anesthesia Technician and made patient safety his number one priority. In order to improve patient safety in the OB anesthesia department, David requested and received upgraded anesthesia machines for the C-Section ORs, added additional epidural carts to improve access, and worked with the pharmacy to ensure emergency drugs were always available. Upon matriculating to CCOM, David co-founded and became the president of the Anesthesia Interest Group at CCOM which has hosted guest speakers in the field of anesthesia, and plans to host workshops and exhibits in the future. David also conducts research in a critical care medicine laboratory at Midwestern University, where he is developing a novel treatment for hemorrhagic shock that has produced promising results recently presented at the DoD ATACCC Conference. As the Chair, David is dedicated to increasing membership in the ASA-MSC, as well as providing extended resources to members of Anesthesia Interest Groups on medical school campuses.

Daniel A. Hansen, Chair-Elect

Daniel Hansen is a medical student at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, class of 2014. He received his B.A. degree in English from Brigham Young University in 2006 and followed with post-baccalaureate studies in Biochemistry at the University of Nevada, Reno. Daniel's passion for anesthesia began prior to medical school after working with multiple anesthesiologists and has continued and grown throughout his time in medical school. As ASA Delegate for UNSOM, and president of the anesthesia student interest group, Daniel has promoted anesthesia and helped educate other medical students about the roles of anesthesiologists. He was awarded several grants and is currently heading a research project examining epidural rates among Hispanic women and developing culturally sensitive educational materials to promote informed decision making with regards to epidural anesthesia in childbirth.  While in office, Daniel is excited to promote earlier exposure to the specialty of anesthesia during medical school and student involvement in ASA. Additionally, he wants to promote a unified, vocal presence from medical students across the country in order to protect and improve our future in anesthesia.

Amanda Gelineau, Secretary

Amanda Gelineau is a third year medical student at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.  Originally from Rhode Island, she received her bachelor's degree in Chemistry and English from Emory University and her master's degree from New York Medical College.  Amanda's interest in anesthesiology began following a friend's recommendation, motivating her to undertake an elective rotation in the field.  She has since dedicated herself to becoming involved in anesthesiology in any way she can, which led her to pursue a position in the ASA-MSC.

As secretary, Amanda hopes to continue to increase membership and improve participation in the Medical Student Component.  In particular, she hopes to recruit students to become active in the global Lifebox campaign and to encourage student involvement in legislative issues surrounding the field.

Lakshmi Geddam, Senior Advisor

Lakshmi Geddam is a fourth year medical student at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in Rootstown, OH. She began the six-year BS/MD program there after completing the first two years at Youngstown State University. During her undergraduate studies, she tutored peers in Biology and Chemistry, and volunteered at the Rich Center - a school for children diagnosed with Autism. Lakshmi has developed skills in one-on-one mentoring throughout her medical school career by serving as a peer mentor and as President of the local chapter of the American Medical Women's Association. An Anesthesiology rotation in her third year of medical school furthered her interest in the field; after residency, she hopes to complete a Pediatric Anesthesiology fellowship. As a senior advisor, she hopes to serve as a resource for other medical students who wish to optimize their chances of matching into a residency program which best suits their goals.

Liya Gendler, Member at Large

Liya Gendler is currently a second year medical student at Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, class of 2014. She received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Liya developed her interest in anesthesiology as a first year medical student, having researched the specialty and participated in analgesia research. She went on to become the delegate representing her school in the Medical Student Component. This year she is the vice president of her school's Anesthesiology Interest Group. Liya's goals include increasing awareness of anesthesiology as a field among medical students and increasing interest in academic medicine.

Allen P. Miraflor, Alternate

Allen P. Miraflor is a fourth year medical student at the Tulane University School of Medicine class of 2012.  He received his B.A. degree in Public Health Sciences as well as a Minor in Spanish for the Professions from the Department of Romance Languages and Literature from Johns Hopkins University.  Before pursuing medical school, Allen wanted to broaden his insights in Toxicology and Pharmacology by pursuing his M.S. Degree in Pharmacology at the Tulane University School of Medicine.  Throughout his medical school career, Allen served on the board for the student-ran Anesthesiology Interest Group at Tulane Med.  He served as dual treasurer-secretary during his 2 year tenure with the AIG.  He has also served on numerous boards in and out of the classroom.  Allen was part of the Medical School Government for his class in 2009-2010.  He has participated in ground breaking pharmacological research studying the estrogenic potential of soybean by-products.  He is currently completing a project in the Department of Anesthesiology under the direction of Dr. Sabrina Bent, M.D. focusing on the Operating Turnover Times and Quality Improvement.

Being in the operating room and working as a team player excites me.  Surgeons, staff and CRNAs can be the team players, but ultimately the main spectator is the patient. With the strengths gained throughout leadership roles, teaching opportunities during my 4th year in medical school, and throughout my experiences in anesthesiology, I strongly believe that I will make strong contributions to the Governing Council.

Bradford Cardonell, AMA Delegate

Brad Cardonell is a medical student at the University of Kansas, class of 2013. Brad received his B.S. degree in Neuroscience with a minor in business from KU. He is serving as Co-President of the KU-SOM's medical school assembly. Volunteering in the prehospital care setting as an EMT sparked his interest in pursuing a career in anesthesia.  After his first year of medical school, he conducted clinical research relative to techniques that may increase the tolerable apnea time, for obese patients, during induction of anesthesia. At the 2011 ASA annual meeting in Chicago this research project was presented as a poster presentation. Brad's interests are in being a part of organized medicine to advance the field of anesthesia and the practice of medicine. As the AMA delegate, Brad intends to emphasize the concerns of medical students.

Sachin "Sunny" Jha, AMA Alternate Delegate

Sachin "Sunny" Jha is a 4th year medical student Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) pursuing a residency in anesthesiology. Prior to his medical education, Sunny received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Sunny serves on the AAMC Organization of Student Representatives (OSR), his class Executive/Student Councils, and the Pan Student Council. He also serves on the AAMC's Questionnaire Advisory Board. Sunny has thrived within the American Medical Association (AMA), where has authored over a dozen policy resolutions. He has held numerous positions in the organization; such as Chairing the Committee on Legislation and Advocacy (COLA), member of the AMPAC Student Advisory Board, and as a Student Ambassador for the AMA Foundation. Notably, Sunny received the AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Award. Sunny has completed research projects at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and EVMS. Sunny has also been active with free clinics and community activities. He organized Community Care Day, a daylong health fair. Sunny also created a partnership with the Chesapeake Care Clinic to allow EVMS students to pursue organized internships. Sunny also led a team of fourth year medical students to transition EVMS' student run free clinic to a new location. He brokered an agreement with Physicians for Peace to create a sustainable scholarship to support medical student participation in international medical missions. Sunny also serves as a Board Member for the Society of Global Health Researchers in Action, an organization designed to help promote graduate student participation in international activities. At Berkeley, he was the Clinic Coordinator for the Suitcase Clinic, an acute care free medical clinic. He was also a Commissioner on the City of Berkeley's Community Health Commission. As a member of the ASA Governing Council, Sunny wants to improve outreach and increase legislative participation. He looks forward to representing his fellow medical students. 

Leadership Opportunities