SAOAO 2021-2022 Leadership
President: Evan Callahan
Evan is an OMS-III at LECOM in Erie, PA. He returns to the board this year as President after serving as Membership Chair for the last year. He grew up in Massachusetts and received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science and chemistry from McDaniel College in 2017, in Westminster, MD. His interest in orthopedics began as a patient of knee and shoulder reconstructions. A college athlete of both football and track and field, Evan became fascinated with the process of getting athletes back on the field and in peak performance through medical intervention. After graduation he accepted a position at Sarepta Therapeutics in Cambridge, MA, where he worked as an organic chemist developing and making a drug for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. With SAOAO Evan hopes to serve the osteopathic medical student community by advocating for more opportunities for networking and mentorship within the orthopedic field. Outside of medical school he enjoys rooting on his hometown Boston sports teams, homebrewing and volunteer work.
Vice President: Nicole Griffin
Nicole is a third-year medical student at the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She grew up in St. John, IN, where she attended and danced at Lake Central High School. She received her Bachelor of Science in Genetics at Purdue University. While being the Captain of the Purdue Dance Team Nicole and her team won multiple national runner-up titles. Her first exposure to orthopedics was during a bone saw clinic at the Indiana University School of Medicine International Human Cadaver Prosection Program in 2015. Since then, she has been interested in general orthopedics and adult reconstruction with a passion for practicing in a rural setting. Her other passions consist of advocacy, working for the underserved, and restoring quality of life. Nicole is currently part of the Bone & Mineral Research Group with Dr. Johnathan Lowery working on NMU – R1 & 2 and it function on bone growth and remodeling. Outside of school Nicole enjoys adventuring with her Yorkshire Terrier Roxy, Volunteering around the community, rock climbing in Wisconsin & Kentucky, spending time with her large family, and traveling when she gets a chance. My hope this year for the SAOAO is to increase mentorship and research collaboration for students aspiring to be orthopedic surgeons.
Secretary: Kieu-My Nguyen
Kieu-My is an OMS-II at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, ME. She was born and raised in Meriden, CT, and received her bachelor’s degree in health science from the University of Hartford in 2020. Her interest in orthopedics stems from her background as a competitive figure skater and her experience working as a Certified Surgical Technologist at Bridgeport Hospital before medical school. She realized that with orthopedics, she could combine her passions of surgery and helping athletes like herself return to an activity that gives them joy. Outside of medical school, she still finds time to figure skate, has discovered new hobbies of rollerblading and skiing, and enjoys going to the beach, hiking, cooking, and trying new restaurants.
Treasurer: William Fang
William Fang is an OMS-II at COMP Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and received his bachelor’s degree in health promotion and disease prevention from the University of Southern California in 2018 and his master’s degree in global medicine from USC in 2019. He has a strong research background and his interest in orthopedics stems from the various regenerative medicine projects he has worked on over the years. After graduating, he oversaw a phase I clinical trail investigating the effects of intraarticular adipose injections on patients with osteoarthritis. After working on this project, he wants to dedicate his time to reducing pain and restoring mobility through the field of orthopedics. Outside of medical school, you can find him either making music or in the mountains hiking and rock climbing.
Conference Chair: Ashini Patel
Ashini Patel is an OMS-III at Nova Southeastern University KPCOM. She was born in New Jersey, but is a full Texan at heart. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Texas Tech University, and also received her Master of Business Administration from there. After graduating with her Master’s, Ashini worked in a level one trauma center where she started to develop a passion for trauma and the surgical field. Her excitement for orthopedics rose when she spent multiple visits at different clinics for fractured arms. Then fast forward to medical school, her interest only grew after connecting with and shadowing different orthopedic surgeons.
Outside of medical school, you can find her in the gym, practicing yoga, hosting get togethers, or making a charcuterie board.
Recruitment Chair: George Beeton
George Beeton is an OMS-II at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas. He was born and raised in Orem, Utah and received his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University in 2020. His interest in orthopedics stems from his passion for human anatomy and his long history with athletics, especially soccer, football, and track which he participated in much of his life. During undergrad, he worked as a scribe for an orthopedic surgeon that solidified his love for the profession of orthopedics. He discovered that it was a profession that allows him to serve others, but heling them return to their optimal function, while also incorporating his love for athletics. Outside of medical school he enjoys spending time with his wife and baby boy and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and Utah Jazz.
Membership Chair: Emily Kelly
Emily Kelly is an OMS-II at LECOM in Erie, PA. She was born and raised in Countryside, IL and received her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Kent State University in 2020. From the time she was 4 years old until she graduated from KSU she was a competitive gymnast. This extensive background in gymnastics is where her interest in orthopedics has risen from. The fast paced, hands on nature, the ability to help athletes achieve their goals in a healthy manner and allowing people of all ages to live an active, mobile life are what keep drawing her back to orthopedics. Outside of medical school, she likes to come up with new exercise workouts, regularly enjoys baking and cooking, and depending on the season she can be found doing outdoor activities such as going to the beach, hiking, skiing, or picking up new hobbies including tennis.