|
Loreen Atallah
School of Pharmacy
Second Year Student
Hello UCSF! My name is Loreen, and this past year, I've had the honor of serving as your Internal Vice President. I've been able to connect with so many students and learn more about the great people that make up this school, and now I’d like to continue to work with you as your GPSA President.
You might be most familiar with me as the girl who brought the llamas to campus - but aside from planning the Therapy Llamas event, I've spent my year working with many different units on campus to help develop programs and initiatives to cater to student needs.
My goals for this upcoming year are to maintain our existing programs and to continue to develop new ones, through the principles of representation, relaxation, and resources:
1. Representation
As Internal VP, I've learned a lot about the inner workings of UCSF, and how we can best manage programs to benefit our students. By serving as the student representation on the Student Health Advisory Committee, Transportation Advisory Committee, and Library Student Advisory Committee, I worked with campus administration to ensure that students are having their health concerns addressed, are able to get home from campus safely thanks to the Lyft program, and have a safe & welcoming place to study in the library. I will continue to work with these groups and others, to make sure student voices are heard and fully represented.
2. Relaxation
Of course, it’s not all work and no play! One of my biggest events was the Annual UCSF Formal, and I also worked with Arts & Events to help put on new programs for students, such as the Silent Disco & Monday Meditation. We've had therapy llamas, coffee hours, trivia night, and more in progress! With all the work we put in academically, we need an outlet to relax and let people come together. I’ve gotten great feedback from students to help improve our events, and I'm excited to hear what else we can accomplish together, like a back to school picnic, interdisciplinary lunches, and any other ideas you might have – I’m open to hearing them all!
3. Resources
Did you actually feel like you gained value out of Interprofessional Education days? How many students in other programs do you know that you can reach out to when you have questions or ideas? By bringing students together, we can look to each other for resources and inspiration. One of my goals this past year was to connect students across all campuses in a natural, non-forced environment. This was accomplished in part by collaborating with ASGD and hosting more events at the Mission Bay campus, like the popular Trivia Night. I'd like to continue to expand on this. Although there are great networks within each program, that doesn't always extend across the different programs and schools. I'd like to be able to create a shared collaborative environment with different activities to encourage unification and a feeling of cohesiveness across the study body.
Lastly, some reflection:
Though this year was challenging at times, serving as your Internal Vice President was also one of the most fulfilling things I've done at UCSF. My involvement with GPSA began when I first arrived at UCSF almost 2 years ago, even when I didn't hold a position. I attended meetings and sat on committees to learn the ins & outs and get involved to help out where I could. I'm here because I want to help guide you through times of uncertainty and offer you support in all ways, academically & socially. We are here to work for the students, and this past year has given me the opportunity to learn so much more about our diverse student body and what we can do to continue to make this environment one where we can continue to grow and thrive, together.
|
|
Gina Ahmadyar
School of Pharmacy
First Year Student
Hello! My name is Gina Ahmadyar and I am currently a first-year pharmacy student running to be the next Vice President of Internal Affairs for GPSA. As the VP of Internal affairs, my priority will be to support the needs of all the graduate and professional students in order to improve the quality of student life and enhance student experiences on our campus. I plan to do this by organizing campus wide activities and events, as well as serving as a liaison for you to address the various concerns you may have.
Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of attending various GPSA organized events such as the UCSF Formal, Trivia Night, and Llama Therapy Day. I greatly appreciate how these events create a sense of community and bring students of the professional and graduate schools together. As VP of Internal Affairs, conducting these events will be one of my top priorities and I will do my best to ensure they not only meet but exceed your expectations. In addition, I plan to organize more interprofessional activities such as karaoke or canvas painting nights. My main goal for these events is to provide a refreshing break that students can take from their busy lives and to sustain a “community feeling” between all schools.
Now more than ever, graduate and professional students face many challenges. I want to be your advocate and help support you during your time here at UCSF. I will work diligently to help solve the issues that students face by collaborating with and supporting various RCOs on campus. I will also ensure that there is proper student representation within the various committees of GPSA to guarantee that the needs of students in all schools are met. As a voice for the student body I plan to communicate and address student concerns at meetings in order to advance the quality of your education. I am also excited to hear the thoughts and ideas that students have to better enhance student life.
I have held various leadership positions in the past for which I was responsible for organizing and promoting events to improve member experience. I believe that this makes me well qualified for this position and I plan on using these skills to better serve you. I look forward to working with the rest of the GPSA cabinet as your next Vice President of Internal Affairs. I will be committed to helping students enjoy their time while at UCSF and creating a sense of community between all the schools. Thank you for your consideration!
|
|
Milly Zhao
School of Pharmacy
First Year Student
Hello, everyone! My name is Milly Zhao. I am a first-year pharmacy student, and would be honored to serve as your 2018-2019 Vice President of Internal Affairs.
Since coming to UCSF, GPSA has stood out as an organization that I wanted to become more involved in, because I am passionate about serving the best interests of all students at UCSF. I would be privileged to listen your stories and will always be here to provide a kind and non-judgmental ear, if you have any concerns. No matter how big or how small.
I am qualified for this position and possess the necessary skills to succeed in this role as demonstrated through my past experiences. One of the responsibilities of the Vice President of Internal Affairs is to ensure student representation on various campus-wide committees, so that decisions which can impact student life are not made without first hearing critical input from students. If elected, my goal is to make sure students are well-informed about what is being discussed during GPSA Assembly meetings and that your voices are heard. I will work hard to learn and stay up-to-date on current issues faced by students, so that I can powerfully advocate for your interests and your rights. For students looking for ways to get more involved, I want to publicize these opportunities more clearly and encourage greater participation at GPSA events through Facebook, Instagram, and other social media announcements.
Another responsibility is planning the 8th Annual UCSF Formal and other student events, like Llama Therapy Day, Trivia Night, and Last Lecture. I have leadership experience in helping to organize the 11th Annual Northern California Pre-Pharmacy Symposium, the Bay Area’s largest pre-pharmacy conference, as well as general meetings and socials as a part of PILLS, UC Berkeley’s pre-pharmacy society. Over the summer, I also planned monthly seminars for prospective patients seeking to learn more about infertility treatment, as the New Patient Coordinator at Laurel Fertility Care. I am very detail-oriented and believe my prior experience with large-scale event planning will be beneficial in orchestrating events that will meet and hopefully exceed your expectations. I hope these events will greatly enhance and enrich your experiences as students at UCSF.
Additional goals include increasing interprofessional interactions, helping student organizations grow, and continuing to expand upon many initiatives started by this year’s current board, such as food security, mental health, housing, and campus climate. I’d also like to use OrgSync and the weekly newsletters more effectively to share and provide helpful resources regarding the aforementioned, as well as other topics like stress management, so that you know what is out there and available to you, if needed.
I want to help make ALL of your experiences at UCSF the absolute best that it can be, and promise to work diligently with the rest of the student government and campus administration to support you every step of the way. Thank you so much for your consideration!
|
|
Elizabeth Tinoco
School of Pharmacy
First Year Student
Hello, my name is Elizabeth Tinoco, a first-year pharmacy student, and I am running to be your Vice President of Finance. My interest in pursuing this position stems from multiple angles: my love of numbers, my ability to save effectively yet still have fun, and my desire to pursue a career that aims to develop a healthcare system that maximizes quality at reduced costs. But more than anything, running for this position presents me the opportunity to maximize the students’ educational experience by providing me with the unique opportunity to service both the needs and desires of our professional and graduate division.
My past qualifications include a four-year high school training in international business that was composed of learning accounting and entrepreneurship, as well as receiving recognition for business competitions in the district. My training has also been reinforced by aiding my parents balance the costs and expenses for their small business, and also from growing up needing to budget, grow my savings, and still have enough for my daily needs. In addition, I have continued my interest in the economics aspect at UCSF by involving myself in the P&T competition and forming part of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research organization.
By harnessing my qualities and past experiences, I hope to represent the needs of our student body by hearing the concerns of the different divisions and preparing a budget that addresses all the needs. With that in mind, my goal is not only to take into consideration the needs of the RCOs and students, but also to facilitate fun events that promote the unity between the different professions and highlight what is important to our university and the community that surrounds us.
Thank you for your support and I hope to be working with you all next year if given the chance!
|
|
Engie Salama
School of Pharmacy
Third Year Student
Purpose: Diversity is a life passion of mine. My life’s purpose is to promote and preserve multiculturalism in the world. This can be achieved by cultivating and promoting tolerance, inclusion, and most importantly education.
My aim is to make UCSF the best place to be if you’re an international student or someone of a “diverse” background. This includes students who identify as disabled, veterans, Native Americans/indigenous, first generation to college, LGBTQIA+, Latinx, Middle Eastern, African/African American/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, low-income, homeless… and more.
My purpose is motivated by my own struggles to find my place at UCSF. Finding one’s place shouldn’t be hard, yet my biggest struggle at UCSF was finding where I belonged. I often felt lonely, isolated, and depressed. I struggled with mental health. Now that I have found my place, I am inspired to help others find their place too.
Qualifications: Formerly the Graduate Intern for the Multicultural Resource Center + LGBT Resource Center, the Office of Diversity and Outreach is my favorite institution on campus. I also am the product of multitudinous diverse identities: Muslim, Arab, North African, and woman. I speak 3 languages fluently and am currently studying Chinese (Cantonese) and Hindi in my free time. I graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.S. in Global Health & and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduating, I was awarded The Order of The Laurel & The Palm, a distinction “awarded to less than 1% of graduating undergraduate students who have distinguished themselves from their peers in the fields of leadership, scholarship, and service both on and off campus.”
Goals:
- Create programming that is inclusive and welcoming towards students from unique backgrounds by including a 15-minute presentation in all Graduate/Professional orientations about the ODO and the resources available
- Partner with Student Health to help students find therapists and counselors from diverse backgrounds who can relate to students and facilitate the hiring of diverse counselors
- Promote food security by building upon the current Food4UCSF Initiative
- Promote sustainable housing by finding affordable living situations for our graduate students
- Promote sustainability on campus by hosting classes about horticulture/growing one’s own food + creating community gardens
- Mental Health
- Fundraising for these initiatives by connecting UCSF to key donors and funding revenues
- MindfulUCSF Initiative- An initiative to bring back the soul into health care. This will include events with artists, activists & other talented created individuals who inspire us to find what brings us joy on a daily basis.
Thank you for your consideration. It would be an honor to serve you.
|
|
Taryn Go
School of Pharmacy
Second Year Student
The University of California, San Francisco has been my home for over a year now. Although this may seem like a short amount of time, it has taught me lessons worth lifetimes. The impact UCSF has in the city of San Francisco is immeasurable and its reach beyond is just as vast. However, the bonds it forms outside its walls can always be strengthened. As a former alumnus from the University of California system, I have witnessed the potential of strong connections between UCs and other universities by being President of the Class of 2020’s first-year cabinet, participating in many Associated Student body political initiatives, and co-founding the Student-Run Free Clinic Project at UCI.
As President of the P1 Class Cabinet, I took it as an opportunity to help my peers voice their concerns about the School of Pharmacy. One of the ways to accomplish this was through facilitating Town Halls, which served as forums for students to openly discuss issues or comments they had about the curriculum, classes, etc. in the presence of pertinent faculty. I greatly appreciate the dedication that the faculty have on processing critiques and taking appropriate action to address them. I hope to adapt these professional discussions for all professional students.
As part of the Student Outreach and Retention Center, I focused on the retention of UCI students. This was an important concern for me as I witnessed close friends struggle with staying in school and I worked to tackle the barriers keeping students from graduating. This issue required intense collaboration with many organizations on campus, including representing the SOAR Center at Associated Student body meetings, campaigning for the permanent installation and funding of the SOAR Center, and attending Retention Advisory Committee meetings to discuss and implement retention efforts. Many of these efforts were modeled after those from other universities and UCs. I plan to continue these initiatives to retain all professional students.
As co-founder of the Free Clinic Project at UCI, I was especially passionate about healthcare and building interprofessional relationships across all the UCs. When opening the An Lành Free Clinic through the Free Clinic Project, my peers and I were deeply inspired by the UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic Project and we’ve expanded the Free Clinic to allow professional students from other medical, dental, and pharmacy schools around Orange County to volunteer. Just as I enjoy serving patients, I strive to serve all professional students.
Therefore, I would like to instill this same drive for collaborative opportunities in our professional division as others have instilled it in me. I am not afraid to be the voice for my peers and communicate their concerns to others. I aim to strengthen the relationship between universities. I will serve you.
Thank you.
|
|
Muna Al-Safarjalani
School of Pharmacy
First Year Student
Hello, everyone! My name is Muna, and I am a first-year pharmacy student hoping to be your Vice President of External Affairs - Professional Representative.
Representation matters to me. It is the unbiased and unfiltered amplification of individual voices with collective progress in mind. Growing up as a young immigrant in the South, I always appreciated when my perspective was heard. As a young adult, I learned that sometimes I must demand this simple gesture. I also learned the value of advocacy, not just for myself but for all who have grievances with the way things are. While we are fortunate to attend an institution that values expertise and diversity in its members above all else, we as students may not always feel like our concerns and complaints are being heard, both by local and more general organizations. It is up to student representatives to bridge this gap and make sure that administrators are not only aware of these concerns, but actively working to remedy them.
Student government has always been a big part of my life. I served as the President of the Pre- Pharmacy Society at my undergraduate institution and enjoyed setting and delegating small goals with big-picture results. Because this organization was newly founded, the position required me to develop both short- and long-term objectives with help and suggestions from my fellow students. As an Ambassador, I also worked closely with students, advisors, and university administrators to shape structural change at my university. After being promoted to Ambassador Leader, I acted as a liaison between my fellow ambassadors and the office of the Dean. The experience as a whole equipped me both with an understanding of the dynamics of university politics and the means to navigate them.
I understand and am fully committed to the fact that representation is a vital part of education. If elected as your representative, I plan to nurture the facilitation of professional discussions, communicate important policy changes to assembly members, and promote coordination of student-led participation (in self-governance, outreach, interprofessionalism, and support). Above all, I want to be your voice at meetings big and small. It would be an immense honor to hear your concerns, champion your causes, and be your advocate.
Thank you.
|
