Meet the Committee on Membership and Chapter Development

 
Matthew Brooker, Chair

Matthew Brooker, Chair
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

My name is Matthew Brooker, and I am excited to be serving as this year’s Chair for Membership and Chapter Development. I am currently a third year medical student at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. I am originally from San Diego, Calif., but grew up a Navy brat, so I have lived in six different states. I am looking forward to working with the Committee to make membership in the AMA a must for medical students, not only for the great opportunities that the AMA offers to medical students to get involved in organized medicine, but also for meeting great friends and making connections with colleagues across the nation. Some of my goals for this year in MCD include increasing AMA awareness and membership in all medical schools, including Osteopathic medical schools. I also plan on making sure that the MCD is in contact with all the Region’s membership leaders to keep close tabs on chapters across the nation. Outside of my time spent on rotations, I try to run and bike as much as possible while still balancing time for friends and family. If you have any ideas or questions for me concerning membership and chapter development please do not hesitate to contact me.

 
Neal Patel, Vice Chair

Neal Patel, Vice Chair
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

My name is Neal Patel, and I am a third year medical student at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. This is my second year serving on the Membership and Chapter Development Committee, however I have served on the House Coordination Committee at the A-07 and participated in the 2007 AMA Lobby Day. I am also the immediate past chapter president at my medical school, Region 2 Chair, and the co-Chair of the Chicago Medical Society. Seeing how medical students are the future of medicine, I joined MCD because I wanted to help develop strategies for retaining and increasing AMA membership. I am a terrible golfer, but I enjoy every minute of it.

 
George Salloum, Vice Chair

George Salloum, Vice Chair
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

I'm an MSII (Class of 2011) at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in the lovely Greater Dayton Area of Ohio. Although currently living in Ohio, I was raised in upstate New York and attended SUNY Geneseo outside Rochester for my undergraduate studies. Along with being a medical student, I am also an officer in the Air Force and after graduation am looking forward to a military residency program in Pediatrics. Outside of my studies I enjoy playing rugby and coaching the Special Olympics. As a member of the AMA I am fortunate to have been appointed the positions of local chapter recruitment chair, MSS Region 5 Vice Chair, and am looking forward to serving on this year's MCD as Vice Chair as well. I feel that the AMA has endless opportunities that have yet to be fully tapped by a majority of medical students across our country, and I hope to provide non-members as well as current members with insight on how important and exciting everyone's individual involvement can prove to be.

 
Chris Bucciarelli

Chris Bucciarelli
University of Florida College of Medicine

I am currently in my second year at the University of Florida College of Medicine. I am very excited to serve on the CDR committee because I am a firm believer that membership is the lifeline of an organization. I have been involved in the AMA since I began medial school, including attending an FMA meeting during my second week of classes. I am currently also serving as Region 4 Chair, the Alternate Delegate for Region 4 to the AMA HOD, and as the Treasurer of my local chapter. I received a B.S. from the University of Florida and have been a part of the Gator Nation since I was born. My philosophy on membership is, “You’re either growing or your dying,” and I am excited to serve on this committee to ensure the former.

 
Arpan Patel

Arpan Patel
Jefferson Medical College

My name is Arpan Patel, and I am starting my second year at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. This year, I've been very involved with the AMA chapter on campus, serving as the Membership Chair, and the experience has been both rewarding and challenging. I’m definitely looking forward to working with MCD to help make larger impacts on AMA membership and to assist new chapters this year. I completed my undergrad at Penn State and am naturally a big Penn State football fan. In my free time, I enjoy playing football, basketball, and Frisbee, swimming, listening to and creating music, reading, being a twin, and, of course, entertaining notions that I will one day be a pro athlete / karaoke superstar.

 
Rajan Singla

Rajan Singla
Jefferson Medical College

My name is Rajan Singla, and I'm in my second year at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa. I've been an active member in the AMA-MSS, serving on the Legislative Committee and Chairing the Membership Committee of my school's chapter. Attending last year's Interim Meeting in Honolulu and Lobby Day in D.C. made me want to get more involved in the organization, so I'm thrilled to be a part of MCD. Aside from all that, I'm a Penn State graduate and die-hard fan. In my spare time, I like to travel, watch films, and play tennis. I miss having spare time.

 
Daniel Skinner

Daniel Skinner
University of Arizona College of Medicine

I am from Mesa, Ariz., and is a fourth year student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. I will graduate in 2009 and plan to train in dermatology and then practice dermatology in a rural setting in Utah. Prior to attending the University of Arizona, I graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Business Management. I am excited to serve on this year’s MCD Committee to help get other medical students interested in organized medicine and active in the AMA. I have been married to my wife, Marie, for four years. We have an 18-month old daughter, and we are expecting another daughter later this year. In addition to spending time with my family, I enjoy playing and watching sports, am active in my church, and am interested in politics and public policy.

 
Christopher Wong

Christopher Wong
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hi, my name is Chris Wong, and I am a second year student at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University. I am originally from Los Angeles, Calif. and completed my bachelor’s degree in Human Development at the University of California, San Diego. As the co-Vice President of my local AMA chapter, it is a real honor to join this year’s MCD committee. I believe that the key to our organization is the hard work and increased involvement of our members in important legislative and community service projects. I look forward to working with committee members to develop effective recruitment programs, as well as collaborating with chapter leaders to increase student membership.