Student Interest Groups - Clubs and Associations

Leadership

President: Noah Lee
Vice President: Alexander (Max) Breiter
Treasurer: Cameron Shults
Simulation Chair: Antonio Del Vecchio
Outreach Chair: Philip Roth
Communications Chair: David Pham 

Attending

Dr. Brittany Bond

Contact

OMSAaig@gmail.com

The Anesthesiology Interest Group (AIG) aims to connect medical students interested in anesthesiology with resources, events, and opportunities to grow as students and future physician anesthesiologists. Our group’s mission is rooted in the importance of advocacy, community outreach, and professional development.

Leadership

President: Gabrielle Herbst
Vice President: Analie Fernandes
Treasurer: Kathryn Capalbo
Research Officer: Tiffany Lim

Attending

Dr. Jeffanne Millien

Contact

aws.omsa@gmail.com

The Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the growth and development of women surgeons. Founded in 1981, with approximately 3,000 members, AWS is one of the largest organizations dedicated to enhancing the interaction and exchange of information between women surgeons. As the UQ-Ochsner chapter of AWS, we strive to create an empowering and encouraging environment that enforces these values and connects medical students with women surgeons, resources, and opportunities for development.

Leadership

President: Darrel Andrews

Attending

Dr. Obinna Nnedu

Contact

The Black Student Union at UQ-Ochsner is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and empowering environment for Black medical students. We strive to promote academic excellence, professional development, and mental well-being while addressing the unique challenges faced by Black students in medicine. Through advocacy, mentorship, and community-building, we aim to amplify the voices of Black students, enhance diversity in healthcare, and contribute to the advancement of health equity. Our mission is to ensure that all Black medical students have the resources, support, and sense of belonging necessary to succeed and lead in the field of medicine.

Leadership

President: Bhargav Venkatraghavan
Vice President: Stewart Perilloux
Treasurer: Ishret Kang
Community Outreach Officer: Shireen Agrawal
Academic Chair: Nithyapriya Shankar

Attending

Dr. Merrill Stewart 

The Purpose of the Cardiology Student Interest Group is to increase student exposure to cardiology and raise awareness of the work being done at Ochsner Medical Center. Through educational lectures, community service opportunities, and research initiatives, we aim to foster early career exploration and build a collaborative network that connects students with mentors in this evolving specialty.

Leadership

President: Linda Kim
Vice President: Cameron Shults
Treasurer: Priyanka Susarla

Attending

Dr. Katherine Moody

The Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) aims to support medical students interested in dermatology through mentorship, education, and community engagement. We provide opportunities to explore the field, connect with residents and faculty, and participate in outreach events that promote skin health in our community.

Leadership

President: Muhammad Tariq
Vice President: Stewart Perilloux
Secretary: Ashwin Kalyanakumar
Treasurer: Ratheya Rajakumar
Outreach & Research Director: Analie Fernandes

Attending

Dr. Stephen Johnson

The purpose of the diagnostic medical ultrasound interest group is to bring together students interested in learning and/or improving their scanning skills using medical ultrasound which can be used in an acute selling to help with diagnosis. While there is a radiology interest group, our group focuses specifically on ultrasound interpretation as it is a widely used imaging techniques employed by physicians of most specialties and so is a great skill set for medical students to develop.

Leadership

President: Leila Danishgar
Vice President: Meghan Lucey
Ultrasound chair & Treasurer: Ashley Furukawa
EMS Liaison: Analie Fernandes
Community Outreach & Volunteer Chair: Paige Polak

Attending

Dr. Ravi Chauhan

Contact

uq.ochsneremig@gmail.com

The Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG) unites students with a shared passion for Emergency Medicine and supports their preparation for successful EM residency applications. EMIG offers a wide range of opportunities for professional growth, including mentorship from Ochsner EM Faculty, interactive lectures, hands-on training with simulation and ultrasound workshops. The group also fosters community and collaboration through social events, volunteer services days, and guidance on away rotations and the Standardized Letter of Evaluation (SLoE) process. Members are encouraged to engage in the broader EM community through participation in national conferences such as AAEM (American Academy of Emergency Medicine) and ACEP (American College of Emergency Physicians), where students can connect with residents and faculty from across the country. Finally, Ochsner EMIG proudly hosts the AAEM/RSA Southeast Medical Student Symposium, bringing together students, residents, and physicians from across the region for a day of learning, networking, and skill-building in Emergency Medicine.

Leadership

President: Krishan Ferrer
Vice President & Secretary: Daniel Beidokthi
Treasurer & Social Media Chair: Brianna Fu

Attending

Dr. Jayesh Madrecha

Contact

ochsnerFMIG@gmail.com

The Family Medicine Interest Group's purpose is to create a culture of support and community for those interested in family medicine. We strive to promote the value of this specialty, organize opportunities to give back to the community and connect with others through local/national conferences. We hope to serve as a source of information for students in the match process and establish a network of past and future applicants.

Leadership

Co-Presidents: Nyra Ahmed & Philip Roth
Co-Vice President & Events Coordinator: Ratheya Rajakumar
Co-Vice President &Treasurer: Brianna Fu

Attending

Dr. Marlon Joseph 

Food For Thought is a student-led organization at UQ Ochsner that partners with a local school-based health center to address food insecurity through education. Club members lead hands-on cooking and nutrition classes for high school students, empowering teens with the skills and knowledge to make healthy, affordable meals. By combining service, education, and mentorship, we aim to promote wellness and food confidence in underserved communities.

Leadership

Presidents: Zain Tirmizi
Vice President: Analie Fernandes
Treasurer: Alexandra Morrow

Attending

Dr. Yvens Laborde

The Global Health Interest club facilitates student education exploring topics such as clinical practice abroad, micro-finance, and the development of sustainable global health initiatives aimed at improving quality of care and addressing inequities between resources-poor and resource-rich settings. Through discussion, engagement, and volunteer opportunities, we strive to cultivate a global perspective in future healthcare professionals.

Leadership

Presidents: Kathryn Capalbo
Vice President: Morgan Joyce
Treasurer: Tiffany Lim
Research Officer: Cameron Shults

Attending

Dr. Jessica Gorham

GSSA is a dynamic and inclusive group committed to fostering a passion for global surgery among students. At the intersection of medicine, surgery, and global health, our alliance strives to create a platform where students can engage in meaningful discussions, collaborative projects, and educational initiatives that address the challenges and opportunities in global surgery.

The GSSA is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of healthcare leaders by providing a space for students to explore the diverse facets of global surgery. Through workshops, seminars, and hands-on experiences, our group aims to broaden perspectives, raise awareness, and cultivate the skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the field of surgery on a global scale.

Leadership

President: Kirsten Smith
Vice President: Adam Kelmenson
Outreach Officer: Kevin Tran
Secretary and Communications Officer: Kayla Baker
Grand Rounds Officer: An To

Attending

Dr. Tamika Webb-Detiege

Contact

GHHS@ochsner.org

The Gold Humanism Honor Society’s latest initiative is a call to reinforce our essential humanism and humanity. “Healing the Heart of Healthcare: Reimagining How We Listen, Connect, and Collaborate” is a multi-year initiative designed to continue creating the change that true humanistic healthcare requires.

Leadership

Officers:

Isabel Anderson
Amelia Chen   
Analie Fernandes
Christina Hu
Karmveer Kaur
Zain Tirmizi

Attending

Dr. Yvens Laborde

The Inclusive Excellence Committee is dedicated to fostering a culture of equity, advocacy, and accountability within the UQ Ochsner Clinical School. Through educational initiatives, meaningful discussions, and collaborative events, we aim to address systemic inequities in healthcare, enhance cultural competency among learners, and promote inclusive patient care. Our work directly impacts students across all stages of training, as well as the diverse patient communities we serve, ensuring that future physicians are equipped to provide compassionate and equitable care.

Leadership

President: Bernard Regidor
Vice President: Bhargav Venkatraghavan
Treasurer: Grant Robison
Community Outreach Chair: Alexandra Morrow
Academic Chairs: Ajay Tupil & Irene Li

Attending

Dr. James Bragg

Contact

ochsnerIMIG@gmail.com

The Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG) aims to foster engagement by students interested in internal medicine and IM-related subspecialties by providing resources to assist students in their rotations and the residency match process and organizing community outreach activities and networking opportunities. Members of IMIG are encouraged to become members of the American College of Physicians and to participate in local and national conferences.

Leadership

President: Maggie Bendersky
Vice President: Irene Li
Treasurer: Cameron Shults
Secretary: Rachel Flowers
Activism Manager: Sarah Olsen

Attending

Dr. David Galarneau

“Letters to Strangers (L2S) is the largest global youth-run nonprofit seeking to destigmatize mental illness and increase access to affordable, quality treatment, particularly for youth” – https://www.letterstostrangers.org/about. There are 100+ chapters in over 20 countries worldwide. Having a chapter at UQ-Ochsner mobilizes medical students to treat health as multifactorial, hopefully inspiring future physicians to communicate and advocate for patients mental and physical health alike.

Leadership

Presidents: Caroline Strong
Vice President: Adrianna Hernandez
Treasurer: Gabrielle Herbst
Secretary: Alexa Steinbrueck
Student Educator: Zain Tirmizi

Attending

Dr. Claudia Medina

The Medical Spanish Student Interest Club empowers medicals students to bridge language barriers and provide compassionate, effective care to Spanish-speaking patients. Whether you are new to the Spanish vocabulary or already fluent, this group provides all students an opportunity to build their Spanish vocabulary. We will review key phases for history-taking and physical exams as well as practice conversational Spanish to build rapport with patients. Through interactive workshops, role-playing exercises, and real-world practice, this group equips medical students with a unique skillset that helps ensure every patient feels heard and cared for.

Leadership

Co-Presidents: Analie Fernandes & Alexandra Morrow
Vice President: Sarah Olsen
Treasurer: Cameron Bernstein
Secretary: Alexa Steinbrueck
Events Coordinator: Cameron Shultz

Attending

Dr. Aaron Karlin

Medicine in Motion (MM) is a non-profit organization that aims to combat burnout through fitness, philanthropy, and community-building. We are geared to promote wellness for all community members. We host fitness events and collaborate with local gyms to combat burnout.

Leadership

Co-Presidents: Zain Tirmizi & Regina Woolridge
Vice President: Ratheya Rajakumar
Treasurer: Arhum Razi

Attending

Dr. Claudia Medina

Minorities in Medicine aims to provide a safe space for students of minority backgrounds in medicine to share their experiences and support one another.

Leadership

President: Turner Simmers
Vice President: Caroline Strong
Treasurer: Shrinidhi Bavani
Communications: Sarah Olsen
Laison: Shari Matthew
Research: Analie Fernandes
MSFC Chair: Gaby Herbst

Attending

Dr. Jessica Grote

Our mission is to help medical students foster an interest in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, and women’s health and build a foundation upon which to purse a career in this specialty. OBIG provides opportunities for students to get involved in the community, stay up-to-date on research in the field, socialize with like-minded students, and build relationships with local physicians.

Leadership

Co-Presidents: Bernard Regidor & Serena Mathew
Co-Vice Presidents: Alexandra Morrow & Tiffany Lim
Treasurer: Sarah Olsen
Community Outreach Officer: Ajay Tupil
Research Officer: Adam Nagourney

Attending

Dr. Marc Matrana

The Oncology Interest Group aims to cultivate a community of medical students passionate about Oncology, dedicated learning, mentorship, and community outreach. Though journal clubs, Q&A panels, and sustained volunteer involvement, we connect medical students to the rapidly evolving world of oncology and its impact beyond the classroom.

Leadership

President: Morgan Joyce
Vice President: Marlena Urvater
Treasurer: Muhammad Moazzam

Attending

Dr. Brian Godshaw

To bring together students with a common interest in orthopedics and to organize events that promote orthopedic medicine, research, and teaching to other students. To our knowledge, there are no other student interest groups with a similar purpose.

Leadership

President: Cameron Bernstein
Vice President: Alexandra Morrow
Treasurer: Bridget Hunt-Tobey

Attending

Dr. Nick Cappadona

The Palliative Medicine Interest Group aims to support student interest and involvement in Palliative Care Medicine through a variety of activities, including book clubs, skills workshops and journal clubs. Whether or not you are interested in pursing Palliative Medicine as a career, end-of-life care is vital to every specialty and we hope to provide a platform for students to engage with, discuss and learn more about providing excellent patient-centered -care within the scope of Palliative Medicine.

Leadership

President: Nyra Ahmed
Vice President: Philip Roth
Treasurer: Shireen Agrawal

Attending

Dr. Darshan Trivedi

Purpose of this group is to enhance student interest in the field of pathology and connect those already interested in pursing a pathology residency with research. Activities planned throughout the year include talks given by pathologists on their specific filed of interest and the ability to attend autopsies.

Leadership

Co-Presidents: Holly Coffey & Billie Patterson
Vice President: Nithyapriya Shankar
Treasurer: Gayathri Kumar
Outreach: Stewart Perilloux
Secretary: Madison McDaniel

Attending

Dr. Michelle Puzdrakewicz

The Pediatric lnterest Group aims to create meaningful opportunities for students to volunteer in the community, connect with pediatric professionals, and stay informed on emerging research and policy changes. We are dedicated to supporting students interested in pediatrics by highlighting diverse career pathways within the specialty and offering guidance in residency preparation and mentorship.

Leadership

President: Emma Trussell
Vice President: Cameron Shults
Treasurer: Irene Li

Attending

Dr. Stephen Moran

The purpose of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interest Group is to promote awareness of PM&R among medical students by providing educational opportunities, mentorship connections, and hands-on experiences that highlight the specialty’s role in restoring function and improving quality of life.

Leadership

President: Analie Fernandes
Vice President: Madison McDaniel
Treasurer: Cameron Bernstein
Street Medicine Committee: Morgan Joyce, Marlena Urvater, Dhiren Suryadevara, & Meghan Lucey
Environmental Justice: Turner Simmers, Maggie Bendersky & Deeba Zadeh
Migrant & Asylum Health: Alexandra Morrow, Regina Woolridge, & Madison McDaniel
Advocacy: Zain Tirmizi, Sharon Mathew, & Sarah Olsen

Attending

Dr. Lehka Hota 

UQ-Ochsner Physicians for Human Rights will work to empower students to incorporate a human rights framework into their careers, through education, advocacy, and community service initiative rooted in principles of community, health equity, and restorative justice.

Leadership

President: Emory Swanger
Vice President: Adam Nagourney
Treasurer: Juan Zapanta
Social Media Officer: Shrinidhi Bavani
Research Chair: Catherine Fischer
Education Officer: Campbell Mikell

Attending

Dr. Shoichiro Alberto Tanaka

The Plastic Surgery Interest group aims to inspire and educate medical students by providing exposure to the diverse field of plastic surgery. We offer educational lectures, research mentorship, and hand-on workshops to develop essential skills and foster professional growth. Our mission is to create a supportive network that connects students with experienced surgeons and mentors, empowering them to excel in their future careers.

Leadership

Co-Presidents: Sarah Olsen & Rachel Flowers
Vice President: Sonia Ter-Saakyan
Treasurer: Cameron Shults

Attending

Dr. Dodd Denton

PRISM aims to create a welcoming space for students to connect, share experiences, and support one another. We focus on fostering community, raising awareness about LGBTQIA+ issues, and belonging for LGBTQIA+ Ochsner students and their allies.

Leadership

President: Zain Tirmizi
Vice President: David Pham
Treasurer: Dhiren Suryadevara
Secretary: Talha Moazzam

Attending

Dr. David Galarneau

Contact

omsapsych@gmail.com

The Psychiatry Interest group aims to inform Ochsner medical students about the practice, lifestyle and professional opportunities within the field of Psychiatry. By hosting panels and wellness events we hope to build community which welcomes all students interested in the field of Psychiatry or who simply wish to learn how to integrate improved mental health care in their clinical practice and daily lives.

Leadership

President: Morgan Joyce
Vice President: Alexandra Morrow
Treasurer: Arhum Razi
Wellness & Community Chair: Muhammad Moazzam
Pickleball Coach: Ajay Tupil
Tennis Coach: Ratheya Rajakumar
Badminton Coach: Taimoor Tariq

Attending

Dr. Scott Montgomery 

The Racquet Club promotes student wellness and class camaraderie by bringing together students of all athletic backgrounds to learn and enjoy racquet sports in an inclusive, social environment. Through regular play sessions and community events, we aim to encourage physical activity, relieve stress, and strengthen connections among peers. Currently, our members mainly play pickleball, tennis, badminton, and/or table tennis. 

Leadership

President: Catherine Fischer
Vice President: Ashwin Kalyanakumar
Co -Treasurer/SEIRMSS: Antonio Del Vecchio & Sarah Haizlip

Attending

Dr. Paul Gulotta

The purpose of the Radiology Student Interest Group is to provide exposure to the specialty of radiology and opportunities to network, learn, and volunteer with other interested students.

Leadership

Co-Presidents: Gabrielle Herbst & Alexandra Morrow
Vice President: Emma Trussell
Treasurer: Sarah Olsen
Research Liaison: Turner Simmers & Catherine Fischer
Legislation: Analie Fernandes
Event coordinator: Caroline Strong
Community Outreach: Sharon Mathew & Sarah Haizlip  

Attending

Dr. Stephanie Heaney 

To provide medical students the opportunity to learn more about reproductive health care and to develop skills related to managing reproductive care for all people.

We believe that all people should have access to health services that allow them to lead safe, healthy lives including all aspects of sexual and reproductive health.

Leadership

President: Priyanka Susarla
Vice President: Parth Patel
Treasurer: Dhiren Suryadevara
Community Outreach: Arhum Razi
Social Chair: Maggie Bendersky

Attending

Dr. Sarah Breaux

Contact

sign.ochsner@gmail.com

The Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) is an organization started by the American Academy of Neurology that spans more than 150 chapters in medical schools across North American. Our chapter is dedicated to providing interested students opportunities to meet physicians in the field, build professional connections, and gain exposure to clinical, research, and service initiatives, all while expanding their knowledge in the specialty of neurology and the broader field of neuroscience.

Leadership

President: Kyleigh Kriener
Vice President: Juan Zapanta
Treasurer: Kathryn Capalbo
Research Chair: Tiffany Lim
Events & Initiatives Chair: Cameron Shults

Attending

Dr. Dennis Sonnier

Contact

omsasurgery@gmail.com

The surgery interest group is committed to providing students with the resources to succeed in their surgical clerkships, sub-internships, and the residency application process. We support our third year students in suture workshops, tips to success in the OR, and surgery Shelf exam reviews. Every year we host a post match panel with recent graduates, journal clubs, and residency application prep meetings with key surgery faculty.

Leadership

President: Antonio Del Vecchio
Vice President: Priyanka Susarla
Treasurer: Tiffany Lim

Attending

Dr. William Carter

Contact

ochsnerwildernessmed@gmail.com

The aim of our student interest group is to foster exploration of non-traditional medical fields, particularly those linked to outdoor environments such as wilderness, dive, climb, hyperbaric, and survival medicine. We encourage careers in rural and underserved areas, emphasizing long-term care. Our activities include volunteer opportunities with an outdoor focus, social events to strengthen member bonds, and teaching essential minimalist medical skills. We also provide resources for first year students on wilderness and rural elective options and promote awareness of environmental impacts in healthcare. Additionally, we organize local and national Wilderness Medicine conferences.

Leadership

President: Nithyapriya Shankar
Vice President: Gayathri Kumar
Treasurer: Daniel Beidokhti

Attending

Dr. Kayla Griese

To provide an environment for students to learn about and collaborate on medical design and research projects. We aim to expose students to the principles used in engineering to aid them in understanding how to come up with ideas and apply them to medical problems. Our goal is to create a team-based environment that works on innovative ideas and brings them to life.

Leadership

Co-Presidents: Cole Astin & Deeba Zadeh
Vice President: Mason Williams
Treasurer: Cameron Bernstein

Attending

Dr. Michael Maddox 

The Urology Interest Group aims to foster an inclusive environment for students interested in exploring Urology. Our mission is to provide educational sessions, hands-on workshops useful for urological practices, mentorship and research opportunities to inspire and prepare future urologists. We strive to promote the field, provide a platform for networking and professional growth and create a supportive community for students interested in pursing this dynamic specialty.

Leadership

President: Ruchee Shrestha
Vice President: Mason Williams
Treasurer: Juan Zapanta

Attending

Dr. Charles Leithead 

O-VSIG aims to increase vascular surgery education and provide opportunities for growth in the field. These are our “C.O.R.E” goals.

1. Career to promote vascular surgery mentorship and extracurricular experiences.
2. Outreach: to improve vascular health in the New Orleans community through organized events.
3. Research: to enable access to vascular related research and research meetings
4. Education: to host workshops, simulations, and didactic sessions

Leadership

Co-Presidents: Linda Kim & Morgan Joyce
Vice President: Priyanka Susarla
Treasurer: Mason Williams
Secretary: Nithyapriya Shankar

Attending

Dr. Charles Leithead 

With an aim to make health and happiness accessible to everyone, Walk with a Doc offers free walking programs in communities around the world led by local doctors, healthcare providers, and medical students. These ongoing events will allow participants to safety walk (or roll), learn about current health topics, and meet new people.