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Abigail is a third year medical student at Florida State University College of Medicine - Daytona Beach. Prior to beginning medical school, she attained two bachelor degrees from the University of Florida, where her passion for the field of anesthesiology was ignited through patient safety research, mentorship, and exposure to the many essential roles of an anesthesiologist.
She was a FAER Medical Student Research Fellow at the University of Colorado in the Summer of 2019, and since the advent of COVID-19, has both developed and contributed to many resources for the Class of 2021 to better navigate the Match.
As President of the ASA Medical Student Component, Abigail intends to further ASA’s mission to “secure the future” of anesthesiology. She plans to focus on the development of leadership and sponsorship opportunities for medical students including a diversity and inclusion initiative and program to enhance state component involvement.
Natalie Koons graduated from Mercyhurst University with a bachelor degree in Biology of Dance. She is currently a second year medical student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, ME. Natalie has had a passion for anesthesiology, research, and leadership throughout her professional career and is excited to lead the future of anesthesiology. She has been very involved as a student member in the Maine Society of Anesthesiologists and was a FAER Medical Student Research Fellow who matched at the University of California, Los Angeles in the Summer of 2020. As President-Elect of the ASA Medical Student Component, Natalie is excited to serve ASA’s mission of expanding professional growth through mentorship. Her goal is to create a career development initiative and expand resources for medical student mental health. Aside from medicine, Natalie enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading a good book.
Uju Momah graduated from Amherst College with a bachelor degree in Biology. She is currently a fourth year medical student at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She is eager to work with the governing council to create opportunities and initiatives that support medical students across the country who are interested in anesthesiology. As secretary, she hopes to serve as a valuable intermediary between the ASA, the governing council and medical students at large to support the success of her future colleagues. Aside from medicine, Uju enjoys narrative medicine as well as watching professional basketball.
Akshay Shanker graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with bachelor degrees in Biochemistry and Writing. He then began medical school at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he found anesthesia to be a perfect intersection of procedural expertise with medical / surgical decision making.
Akshay truly cherishes the mentor-mentee relationship from both perspectives. As the Delegate to the AMA, he plans to advocate for all levels of student engagement—from first year students looking to learn more about the field to fourth year students in need of detailed residency guidance. Akshay hopes to use his experience in both community and academic programs to help students decide if anesthesiology is the right field for them and if so, support them along every step of the way. He can be reached via email for questions or comments at any time.
Sarah Sun is a third-year medical student at Rush Medical College in Chicago. She graduated with a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Science and a minor in Chicana/o Studies from University of California, Davis. As an immigrant and a first generation college graduate, Sarah experienced firsthand how personal support from mentors can help students to overcome obstacles and build up chances for success. As the Alternate Delegate to the AMA, she hopes to reach out to more individuals who are in need of resources, create network opportunities to increase medical student involvement and work collaboratively with members of AMA to serve our members and students. Her goal as a future physician is to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes among underserved and vulnerable populations. Beside medicine, Sarah enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding and going on adventures in nature.
Matthew Hidalgo is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Before medical school, he taught high school chemistry to 150 wonderful students in Dallas, TX. Now, Matthew strives to become an exceptional anesthesiologist, teaching faculty member, and researcher. As the Senior Advisor, Matthew is expanding the nationwide mentorship program between medical students, residents, and attending physicians. He also interviews program directors on what they love about their residency and subsequently showcases their excellent opportunities on the ASA website. This allows residency applicants to target programs with similar goals. Overall, Matthew desires to create an environment conducive to medical students' success in anesthesiology. Matthew's hobbies include reading one book per week, writing, watching all sports, and listening to podcasts related to pop culture, current events, and sports.
Tanisha Verneus is a third year medical student at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Biology from Brown University in 2018. Tanisha is passionate about anesthesiology, medical education and diversity and inclusion. As Member at Large, Tanisha aims to support the efforts of her fellow board members, while also working to consolidate information and opportunities from different programs, in order to work towards eliminating any information accessibility barriers within the field. Tanisha also hopes to use her position to empower students who come underrepresented backgrounds. Outside of medicine, Tanisha’s hobbies include practicing yoga and discovering new shows on Netflix.
Jordan Arends is a fourth year medical student at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and attended the University of Dayton. He spent time before medical school as a high school teacher and basketball coach where his own basketball injuries brought him to his love for anesthesiology. During his time at OU, he worked in pediatric anesthesiology research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He hopes to help out any new students to ASA after helping start the AIG on his own campus. In his free time he enjoys sports and hosting his own podcast.
