Meet the HOD Coordinating Committee

 
Meredith Williams, Chair

Meredith Williams, Chair
Baylor College of Medicine

I am in my third year of a joint MD/MBA program at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and my career interests include emergency medicine and the management of health care delivery systems. I am originally from Oakland, Calif., and received my B.A. in History from Yale University in 2006. I have been an active member of both the AMA and TMA since my first year, and am excited about Chairing HCC and creating further coordination between committees and developing interest in the resolution process. In my spare time I enjoy salsa dancing, cooking, and classic Hollywood films.

 
Sanjida Saklayen,
Vice Chair 

Sanjida Saklayen, Vice Chair
Ohio State University College of Medicine

Hi! My name is Sanjida Saklayen and I am a 6th year "mudphud," i.e. MD/PhD student, at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. I've been in school for a long time but I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, so that is always a good thing. In between research, clinical training, and AMA, I play violin in community orchestras and am an avid dancer as well. As far as the AMA MSS goes, I've been on HCC in some capacity every national meeting since A-07, and have participated in other roles in MSS in the past. Needless to say, I love working as the vital connection between the MSS and the HOD. This year, I am one of the vice chairs of HCC and I am ready to be of service if you have any questions/comments/concerns. I hope everyone is ready for a great year of HCC!

 
Brett Youngerman,
Vice Chair 

Brett Youngerman, Vice Chair
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

I am a second year student at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. I am co-President of my AMA chapter and on the leadership committee of the student-run free clinic at Columbia. Prior to medical school I served as a Health Policy Associate for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee where I worked on issues related to Medicare, Medicaid, and health care tax policy. In addition to health policy, I am interested in neuroscience, international affairs, and athletics.

 
Mark Halsey 

Mark Halsey
University of South Florida College of Medicine

I am a second year medical student at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where I have successfully fled the chilly winters of Boston, Mass. While an undergraduate at MIT, I studied applied mathematics and Red Sox. After graduating, I briefly pursued a career in management consulting, before seeing the light and switching my career track to medicine. I haven’t had a shred of regret since doing this. I’m delighted to be a physician-to-be, and my involvement with the AMA has strengthened my interest in the overlap between medicine and public policy. This past summer, I pursued this interest as an AMA GRIP intern in D.C. I have become excited about potential careers in dermatology, pathology, (and dermatopathology), and my hobbies include computers, travel, and water polo.

 
Steven Lewis 

Steven Lewis
University of Virginia School of Medicine

Currently I am a second year medical student at University of Virginia School of Medicine. I am from Virginia, and the son of two military parents. I received a B.S. in Biology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., and my career interests include pediatrics and of course remaining involved in policy work. I am currently serving as Chapter chair of the AMA at UVa and am looking forward to being involved with the HCC. My free time, although rare, is mostly spent with family, writing, and playing basketball/running.

 
Keili Meyer 

Keili Meyer
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

I am a second year student in the joint MD/MPH program at Wright State University in Ohio. My current medical interests center on Pediatrics with my MPH side focusing on the intersection of comparative health care systems and culturally sensitive interventions. Before heading to Ohio for school I spent a few years wandering around the globe refining my passion for medicine. Aside from traveling, in my spare time I enjoy anything that involves being barefoot, especially when those adventures include sand, dirt, water, or my 90 pound Rhodesian, Dehlia.

 
Sami Saba 

Sami Saba
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

I am a second year medical student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y. I have been an active member of MSSNY and AMA since beginning school last year. I grew up in New York and New Jersey, and attended the University of Pennsylvania where I majored in the Biological Basis of Behavior. I have an interest in Neurology, Psychiatry, and anything else brain-related. In my free time I enjoy playing and listening to music, going to concerts, and reading.

 
Nathaniel Schuster 

Nathaniel Schuster
University of Michigan Medical School

 
Erin Schmidt 

Erin Schmidt
Loma Linda University School of Medicine

I’ve been a student for longer than I’d care to admit, as a proud (rarely bitter) member of an MD/PhD program. Suffice it to say that if all goes well, I’ll be finishing up my PhD studies this year and beginning my clinical rotations next fall. My research focus is alternative splicing patterns of a tumor suppressor gene. Involvement with the AMA (as well as my county and state societies) has been a great way to stay connected and current with the medical field while I’m pipetting away at the lab bench. When I’m not working on scholastic pursuits, you might find me out at dawn with binoculars trained on a rare bird or spending time at home with my husband and our dogs.