SAOAO 2023-2024 Leadership
President: Arpam Dutta
Arpam is a third-year student at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, TX. He served as Secretary for the organization last year and looks forward to serving as President for the 2023-2024 term. He was born in India but left at an early age and has had the pleasure of calling multiple states his home including New York, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas. Various injuries including 4 ACL reconstructions and 3 labrum repairs introduced him to impactful and supportive orthopedic surgeons from a young age. Their ability to help patients regain function and resume activities that define them sparked an interest in him which has only grown over the years. Knowing that he wanted a career in orthopedic surgery, he went on to Rice University to pursue a Kinesiology degree with a concentration in Sports Medicine. He worked as a Consultant between college and medical school to gain experience that would hopefully prove useful in managing and effectively prioritizing numerous responsibilities as a physician. In his free time, he enjoys watching soccer and baseball, weightlifting, reading, and browsing stores to find vinyls from his favorite artists.
Vice President: Erin MacFarlane
Erin is an OMS-III at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, ME. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, she moved to Ontario at a young age and eventually earned both a Bachelor (2017) and Master of Science (2019) from Carleton University. Prior to medical school, Erin was a scribe in the ED and Orthopaedic Surgery, where she first developed an interest in the field. At UNE she served as the SAOAO Chapter President and is excited to continue working with the organization as VP. She is currently working on foot and ankle research with Yale. Outside of academics, she enjoys cooking, being active, going to the beach, and trying all the coffee shops in New England.
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Secretary: Shelby Ramsey
Shelby is an OMS-III at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. She was raised outside of Mechanicsville, VA. She attended Virginia Tech, majoring in Biological Sciences, making her a lifelong Hokie fan. After undergrad, Shelby worked as a medical scribe, a COVID-19 vaccine scientist, and a fashion model. Shelby always felt called to orthopedic surgery, but needing back surgery after college cemented this calling. After experiencing the exponential improvement in her quality of life and health after her surgery, she knew there was no other career for her. Shelby loves working on her research, going home to her family farm, lifting, running and hanging out with her husband and Labrador Retriever named Shiner Bock.
Treasurer: Christian Castillo
Christian is an OMS-II at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lillington, NC. Originally from Miami, Florida, he’s lived in 5 states and now calls Aiken, South Carolina home. A 2022 graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelors in Exercise and Sports Science, Christian’s introduction to orthopedics came through his father, a DO as well. His interest solidified during his senior year of high school when he underwent a Hip labral repair, ending his senior season of lacrosse. In the future, he aims to help patients return to their daily activities and empower them to continue pursuing their passions. Outside of medical school, he enjoys weightlifting, cooking, and trying out new sports like pickleball.
Conference Chair: Rachel Larkin
Rachael is an OMS-II at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. She was born in Norfolk, VA and has great memories living in Connecticut, Tennessee, Texas, and Mississippi prior to medical school. An active and sports-centered childhood led her to pursue a bachelor’s in Exercise Science at the University of Mississippi. Her involvement in kinesiology research and shadowing orthopedic surgeons sparked the desire for medical school. Upon graduating, Rachael spent a year as a Medical Assistant in pediatrics, where she gained foundational insight to the dynamic of a successful healthcare team and relationship with patients. Outside of medical school, she is outside on a walk, working at her family’s distillery, or cooking something Italian.
Recruitment Chair: Chance Parker
Chance Parker is an OMS-III at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale Arizona. A farm boy from Hooper Utah, he served a church mission for 2 years in Pennsylvania before obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Utah State University where he competed for the Aggies in both Football and Track and Field. He worked as a buffer formulator in a chemistry wet lab and as a High School Sprint Coach prior to medical school. The union of anatomy, athletics, pain solutions, and power tools make orthopedics the perfect match for Chance. He and his high school sweetheart Christine are thrilled to be expecting their 3rd child together. Outside of school, you can find him playing basketball, wrestling his son Hyrum, or reading princess books with his daughter Charley.
Membership Chair: Sarah Willard
Sarah Willard is an OMS-II at LECOM at Seton Hill Campus in Greensburg, PA. As a military spouse, she has had the pleasure of calling multiple locations her home including Peru, China, Indiana, California, Virginia, Mississippi, and Maryland. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Maryland in 2017. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Dietetics from the University of Rhode Island. Prior to medical school, Sarah was a registered dietitian specializing in sports and renal nutrition. Her passion for serving collegiate athletes, active-duty service members, and veterans through injury recovery led to her interest in orthopedics. Combining her love of athletics, handy work, and visual thinking solidified that orthopedic surgery was the perfect fit for her. Ultimately, she is most excited to help people regain their mobility and return to doing the things they enjoy most. Outside of medical school, Sarah has an active lifestyle as a homestead farmer. Her hobbies include weightlifting, meat processing, home improvement projects, cooking, and going on adventures with her husband and three children.
External Affairs: Minali Nemani
Minali is an OMS-III at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe, Louisiana. She was born and raised in Plano, TX and received her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management and Molecular Biology from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2019. Her interest in medicine started with a passion for accessibility after studying language acquisition in hard-of-hearing children. It inspired her to learn ASL and to volunteer as a residential camp counselor for individuals with developmental disabilities, where she developed a passion for orthopaedics. She sought extensive basic science research experience in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma and bone remodeling pathways at UTSW and UCSF and hopes to use her love for molecular biology and bettering patient quality of life to guide her as a future physician. Outside of her medical career, she is training to be a yoga instructor and enjoys hiking with her dog, constructing an array of at-home projects, and traveling across the world.