Committee

Name: Carly Eiduson

Representing: Class of 2024

Motivation for joining this committee: I am passionate about advocating for the mental, physical, and spiritual health of medical students during this academic journey. Additionally, I believe that being a part of a supportive community is important and I hope to help build and foster a community here at URSMD. Maintaining wellness throughout this academic and career path is a challenge and I appreciate the opportunity to lead initiatives that will improve the quality of life for students. It is vital that we continue to lay the foundation for self-care during medical school. I hope that through small- and large-scale changes we can ensure that student body well-being is always a primary focus.

Strategies for maintaining wellness (especially in medical school): Walking, running, or biking, taking frequent breaks, meditation, practicing yoga, spending time with friends over food or drinks.

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: I love to hop on the Erie Canal and bike to Pittsford Farms Dairy for ice cream!

Name: Shalini Shah

Representing: Class of 2024

Motivation for joining this committee: Hoping to improve well-being among my classmates was my motivation for joining the Wellness and Resilience Committee. In our path to becoming physicians, growth is a constant work in progress. I hoped to foster self-reflection and collaboration as tools to adapt and move forward.

Strategies for maintaining wellness (especially in medical school): Wellness to me means creating time to reflect, connect with other people, and be active. Some ways that I do this are by playing tennis and practicing yoga with classmates.

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: My favorite thing to do is exploring Rochester's food scene, especially coffee shops, the Public Market, and local pizza restaurants.

Name: Jason Atlas

Representing: Class of 2025

Motivation for joining this committee: When I first started to explore wellness, I quickly grew to appreciate how much it benefited my state of mind. At the same time, I recognized how easy it was for me to lose track of these strategies when I was overwhelmed with stress. Learning to embrace wellness and self-care in the face of new challenges is tough, but it can make a tremendous difference. I joined this committee because I want to do my very best to promote and support the wellness of my classmates through the thick and thin of our medical school journey.

Strategies for maintaining wellness (especially in medical school): Hanging out with my classmates is always a joy, and playing ping-pong together has become a particular favorite of mine. However, when I want to take advantage of some much needed me-time, I enjoy listening to music, crocheting, cooking myself a nice plate of pasta, or just getting outside and walking around in nature.

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: I love going on walks around Mt. Hope Cemetery, especially in the springtime!

Name: Emma Glickman

Representing:Class of 2026

Motivation for joining this committee: I have always been passionate about mental health and ensuring ways to maximize overall wellness. I hope to foster a sense of community and work together to find the time for joy in every day. Given how busy our schedule is during medical school, I wanted to provide concrete ways to connect to classmates through activities such as gardening, yoga, cooking, art, and movie nights. In striving to be thoughtful physicians, we also must prioritize taking care of our own health as well.

Strategies for maintaining wellness: I try to prioritize doing an activity outside no matter the weather, such as going for a run or for a bike ride. Making the time to connect with friends and family helps me stay grounded and rejuvenated. I also love to go for a hike, do yoga, or cook with friends on the weekend.

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: My two favorite activities in Rochester are going to the public market and biking along the serene Erie Canalway Trail to Pittsford Farms Dairy.

Name: Kalese Goodwin

Representing:Class of 2026

Motivation for joining this committee: As someone who lives with anxiety, I understand the relationship between mental and physical wellness and its effect on daily living. Through my journey with anxiety, I actively seek ways to maintain balance and offer insight and helpful resources to family and friends to create healthy habits. As our class wellness and resilience committee representative, I want to be a representative for those who look like me. I want to be a person of support for my class members. I am committed to prioritizing the wellness, mental health awareness, and well-being of the class of 2026.

Strategies for maintaining wellness: I love baking and eating a good meal. I also make it a point to have a relaxing nighttime routine to re-center myself from a long day in the lab/classroom. I make time to hang out with friends, go to therapy, take off one night of studying a week, and make sure I talk to my family and friends not located in Rochester, NY. It is so important to stay connected to your support system/community! 

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: I love to find new restaurants and try different cuisines. 

Name: Sravya Dhanwada

Representing: Class of 2027

Motivation for joining this committee: I joined the committee because I want to actively encourage conversations about wellness with my peers and be someone that people can come to when they’re having a difficult time. I want to be there for my classmates just as others are there for me while maintaining an inclusive and supportive student culture!

Strategies for maintaining wellness (especially in medical school): Some methods I use to maintain wellbeing is practicing meditation, prioritize sleep, be kind to myself, and engage in fulfilling activities regularly like seeing friends and spending time in nature!

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: My favorite thing to do in Rochester is to go to the Farmer's Market and get chaat and lassi at the Namaste Grocery Store

Name: Jordan Raschi

Representing: Class of 2027

Motivation for joining this committee: My motivation for joining the committee is to provide easy and effective methods for my classmates to stay well and resilient during med school. Medical school is hard and finding ways to remember to take care of yourself is essential!

Strategies for maintaining wellness (especially in medical school): Ways I take care of myself are eating healthy, going to the gym, and schedule certain times to do other things outside of medical school.!

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: Visiting the Public Market

Name: Sophie Troyer

Representing: MD/PhD

Motivation for joining this committee: Wellness is very important for success in medical school, and it is also incredibly important for resilience in a long program such as the MD/PhD. As someone with a chronic illness, maintaining wellness is essential for me. I am interested in helping support and advocate for students to maximize wellness and all areas of health.

Strategies for maintaining wellness (especially in medical school): I found that exploring Rochester in my spare time helped form my sense of community with a place that I would be living in for at least 8 years. I have learned about the best things to do and eat in the area, and I love where I am, which makes it easier when school is tough. I also enjoy reading, playing with my dog, and doing anything crafty. To take care of my physical health, particularly as someone with a chronic illness, I pay a lot of attention to what foods make me feel good and what my body needs. I have also found that skincare is a fun way to take care of an aspect of physical health that yields a sense of nurturing for the mental health as well— as you slow down and take the time to do something for yourself. Feel free to reach out for tips about Rochester (or skincare)!

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: The Public Market