Committee

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: Hudson Cerruti

Representing: Class of 2027

Motivation for joining this committee: I joined this committee because I care deeply about others mental wellbeing and want to help decrease the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and suicide among medical students and physicians. I hope to foster a community that acknowledges, accepts, and supports each other experiencing the stress that comes with this profession. Together, we can deconstruct the stigma surrounding mental health.

Strategies for maintaining wellness (especially in medical school): I maintain my wellness by playing basketball, practicing mindfulness, meal prepping, and spending time with family/friends.

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: I love trying new pizza places and there are so many around the city to enjoy.

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: Angelo Giannopoulos

Representing: Class of 2028

Motivation for joining this committee: My name is Angelo, and I am an M1 from Worcester, Massachusetts. I joined the Wellness and Resilience committee to help my class thrive and boost our excitement throughout our medical school journey. I am a strong believer that we as classmates can support one another through our mutual experiences in school and diverse backgrounds.

Strategies for maintaining wellness (especially in medical school): I like to think about ways for maintaining wellness in terms of non-negotiables which for me are quality sleep, talking to friends and family from home, and getting my body moving in some way every day.

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: So far it has been biking out to Mendon Ponds; there’s beautiful farmland and wildlife so close by!

Name: Maya Khurana

Representing: Class of 2028

Motivation for joining this committee: I am deeply invested in the wellbeing of my peers as we navigate medical school, because I believe that happy, healthy students will make the best kind of physicians. I am excited to be a source of support for my peers and an advocate for their wellness.

Strategies for maintaining wellness (especially in medical school): I really try to lean into the little things that bring me joy — going on runs, listening to my favorite songs, making a cup of hot cocoa at the end of a long day, and doing some embroidery while watching a favorite TV show are just a few things that have helped me maintain wellness.

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: Though I am new to the city, I have really enjoyed running in the Highland and Genessee Parks, as well as getting ice cream from The Hedonist. Looking forward to exploring Rochester in the coming years!

Name: Catherine Pizzarello

Representing: MSTP

Motivation for joining this committee: I think that wellness is such an important part of student life- People do their best when they are feeling their best! You are a whole person and not just a student! Take care of yourselves!

Strategies for maintaining wellness (especially in medical school): Hanging out with friends and family, doing hobbies (crocheting, playing piano, baking bread), getting at least 7 hours of sleep.

Favorite spot/thing to do in Rochester: I really like the Museum of Play because my kids have so much fun there!