Executive Board
President: Saharsha Shah
Year: Senior
Major(s): Physiology and Neurobiology
Rush Class: Xi
About Saharsha: Saharsha tunes into his pre-med side by scribing in the Emergency Department at Children’s National. He also works to guide pre-health students as an HPAO ambassador and is an advocate for first-generation undergraduate students through Tri-Alpha. On weeknights, Saharsha is often studying for his classes or spending time with his friends. Whenever he has a spare moment, you can catch him on the way to the gym, watching anime, trying out new restaurants, or watching old-school horror movies.
Favorite Show: One Piece
Vice President of Programming: Samantha Verras
Year: Senior
Major(s): General Biology
Rush Class: Pi
About Samantha: Samantha tunes into her pre-med side by participating in Women’s Surgical Society and Global Brigades. She enjoys volunteering in the community, a passion she developed during her time as co-chair of programming in Civic Engagement for Social Good. Whenever she isn’t in class you can find her studying or hanging out with friends. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, shopping, and going on walks. Song Currently on Repeat: “Bad Religion” by Frank Ocean
Vice President of Finance: Bill Godnick
Year: Junior
Major(s): Physiology and Neurobiology
Rush Class: Omicron
About Bill: Bill tunes into his pre-med side by volunteering as a medical interpreter at the Pregnancy Aid Center. He also conducts research in the FIRE Host Pathogen Interactions lab, investigating the dynamics of viral replication while mentoring fellow students in the process. As a proud member of Best Buddies and student advisor for the CMNS Inclusive Excellence Student Advisory Group, he also works hard to foster inclusivity and community at UMD. When it’s time to unwind, he enjoys playing the guitar, DJing, and cooking.
Fun Fact: Lived in Peru for seven years
Vice President of Recruitment: Jamie Bernardo
Year: Senior
Major(s): Neuroscience. Minors: General Business, Asian American Studies
Rush Class: Nu
About Jamie: Jamie tunes into her pre-med side as a Medical Assistant at Comprehensive Pain Center and as a Research Assistant conducting research on the impact of social hierarchy and status on the nervous system in a lab on campus. She is also passionate about challenges facing the American health care system, and is part of the UMD Federal Fellows in Public Health Policy. Jamie also has a love for teaching and mentoring, which she fulfills as a Team Leader for Maryland Mentor Corps. If you have any questions about being pre-med, you can drop by Jamie’s HPAO Student Ambassador Office Hours. When she’s not being a busy bee, Jamie loves writing restaurant reviews on Beli, taking ceramics classes, and spending time with her friends and family.
Current Obsession: Playing 2048
Secretary & Risk Management Officer: Priyanshi Patel
Year: Junior
Major(s): Computer Science
Rush Class: Omicron
About Pri: Pri tunes into her pre-med side by working as a medical assistant at a family health practice and volunteering at a free health clinic in her local community. Currently, she also is working on research relating to the use of artificial intelligence and theranostics to tackle personalized cancer treatment. Her research allows her to combine her passion for both computer science and medicine. On campus, Pri is also apart of the University Honors Student Board where she serves as a student representative for the program and as a community service coordinator. In her free time, Pri likes to hang out with her friends, listen to music, and hike.
Favorite TV Show: How I Met Your Mother