Our Executive Team

  • Founder and President

    Sana Samadi | University of Alberta

    Founder and President

    Sana is a third-year medical student at the University of Alberta. She is the elected provincial governance representative of the class of 2027 at the U of A. She sat on the AMA board from October 2023- September 2024. She started this committee last year to give medical students a voice on pressing healthcare issues that will affect them as future physicians. In her free time Sana likes to hike, golf and do yoga.

  • Kaiden Jobin | University of Calgary

    Vice-President Internal

    My name is Kaiden, and I am a medical student at the University of Calgary. I have lived in Alberta my entire life and did both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees here which is why it is so important to me that our healthcare system receives the support it deserves from our provincial government. I strongly feel that students are underrepresented in the decision-making processes and hope to give students a voice through this role. In my free time I enjoy spending time in the mountains while skiing, hiking, and camping.

  • Sara Al Sharani | University of Calgary

    Website Chair

    Sara is a first-year medical student at the University of Calgary and this year’s Website Committee Chair for the AMA Advocacy Committee! she previously completed a Master’s of Science in Community Health before pursuing an MD. Sara is passionate about patient advocacy, health equity, and refugee health. Outside of academia, she enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and spending time with friends and family.

  • Palak Patel | University of Calgary

    Social Media Chair

    Palak is a second-year medical student at the University of Calgary. Growing up in Alberta, she is passionate about advocating for improvements in accessibility and addressing barriers to provide quality patient care, especially amongst marginalized and vulnerable populations. In her free time, she likes to dance, hang out with friends and try and explore new restaurants and cafes.

  • Leena Mazhar

    Junior Social Media Chair

    Leena is a first-year medical student at the University of Calgary with a background in neuroscience and exercise physiology. She is passionate about hands-on community work, particularly with underserved populations across Canada. From leading free fitness classes and translating health information for newcomers to hosting community health talks at cultural centres, Leena is dedicated to making healthcare accessible, inclusive, and relevant to the communities we serve, live in, and enjoy. Outside of school, Leena enjoys running, trying new recipes, and exploring the beautiful province of Alberta.

  • Deyana Altahsh | University of Alberta

    VP External (U of Alberta)

    Deyana is a second-year medical student at the University of Alberta and currently serves as Vice President External for the AMA MSAC and the Medical Students’ Association. She also represents her peers provincially as a Governance Representative. Passionate about leadership, health advocacy, and equity, Deyana is dedicated to amplifying student voices and driving meaningful change. Outside of her studies, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and playing recreational sports.

  • Noam Sander | University of Calgary

    VP External (UCalgary)

    Noam is a first-year medical student at the University of Calgary. Before medical school, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Alberta and worked as a Policy Advisor in Alberta’s Ministry of Health. By working in public health administration and volunteering for patient advocacy organizations, Noam developed a passion for health advocacy and is familiar with the barriers that patients can face when navigating the healthcare system in Alberta. Currently, Noam also serves as the VP External: Provincial for the Calgary Medical Students’ Association. In his free time Noam likes to hike, snowboard, see live music, and he is a big hockey fan!

  • Adam Bubelenyi | University of Calgary

    Accountability Officer

    I am a medical student at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta. Passionate about internal medicine and healthcare policy, I strive to advocate for medical students and drive positive change within the healthcare system. As the Accountability Officer for the Alberta Medical Association Medical Student Advocacy Group, I am committed to upholding professional standards and ensuring the efficient completion of organizational tasks. In the future, I aim to contribute to healthcare policy decision-making to improve patient outcomes. Outside of academics, I enjoy staying active through soccer, basketball, snowboarding, and golfing, and have a passion for cooking.

Website Committee

  • Ehsan Misaghi

    Website General Committee Member

    Ehsan Misaghi is an MD/PhD student at the University of Alberta and a clinician-scientist-innovator-in-training. Ehsan is passionate about combining scientific research, novel technologies, and advocacy to improve patient-oriented and patient-centred care. Ehsan's work spans a wide range of areas, from understanding basic genetic mechanisms to the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare. As part of the website team at the AMA advocacy committee, he is contributing to our understanding of the applications of disruptive technologies in healthcare.

  • Riya Mangukia

    Website General Committee Member

    Riya is a second-year medical student at the University of Alberta and this year’s Website General Committee Member for the AMA Advocacy Committee! she previously completed a Bachelor’s of Science before pursuing an MD. Riya is passionate about patient advocacy. Outside of academia, she enjoys hiking and spending time with friends and family.

  • Ben Shi

    Website General Committee Member

    Ben Shi is a medical student at the University of Calgary. He previously earned a BSc in Neuroscience Honours, during which he investigated post-stroke vision at the Neuro Robotics Lab and visual changes from microgravity exposure at the German Aerospace Centre. Outside of his academic pursuits, Ben was an elected Students' Union representative for the UCalgary Faculty of Science, where he advocated for equitable and accessible learning policies. In his free time, he enjoys painting miniatures, trying new hobbies, and playing badminton.

  • Lauren Verwaayen

    Website General Committee Member

    Lauren is a medical student at the University of Calgary, where she also completed her BSc. in Kinesiology. With a diverse background working with a variety of populations, Lauren developed a strong interest in advocacy as a tool to amplify voices within the community. Her passion for advocacy began in high school and continued through her undergraduate years, where she worked with a student-led organization supporting children with disabilities. She is now excited to broaden her experience through the AMA Medical Student Advocacy Committee. Outside of medicine, Lauren enjoys knitting clothing for her baby niece, tending to her unruly garden, and exploring Calgary’s best vegetarian restaurants.

  • Reanne Souraya

    Reanne is a third-year medical student at the University of Calgary. Before pursuing medicine, she completed a degree in Biological Sciences with a focus on English Literature. She is drawn to the intersection of science and humanities, particularly within the context of medicine. She believes accessible and engaging storytelling is a powerful way to share medical knowledge and amplify underrepresented narratives in healthcare. In her spare time, she can be found reading a few books at once, baking, and exploring new cafes around the city.

Social Media Committee

  • Rose He

    Social Media General Committee Member

    Rose is a third-year medical student at the University of Calgary. She is passionate about advocating for positive change and reforms in the healthcare system to improve access and reduce stress for patients, their families, healthcare professionals, and everyone else involved! When not studying, she also likes to play piano, badminton, and board games.

  • Jessica Hammal

    Social Media General Committee Member

    Grace Liu is a second-year medical student at the University of Calgary. She completed her BHSc in biomedical sciences at the University of Calgary and her MSc in cellular molecular medicine at the University of Ottawa prior to medical school. Grace has a background in breast cancer research and continues to have an interest in women's health and wellbeing. Outside of school, she enjoys snowboarding, spin, and exploring new cafes.

  • Luv Modi

    Social Media General Committee Member

    Luv is a medical student at the University of Calgary who completed a Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology at the University of Alberta. During his undergraduate years, he volunteered with health initiatives that supported patients, promoted community wellness, and raised awareness about issues such as ER wait times and blood/stem cell donations. These experiences highlighted for him the importance of student advocacy in shaping conversations around healthcare, and he believes amplifying student voices is essential to driving meaningful change. As a Social Media Committee General Member, he looks forward to helping share student perspectives and promote advocacy initiatives across Alberta.

  • Sonika Khurana

    Social Media General Committee Member

    My name is Sonika and I am a first-year medical student at the University of Calgary with a BSc in Psychology from the University of Alberta. I have had the privilege of working closely with refugee and newcomer communities where I learned how deeply language and culture influence people’s healthcare experiences. This sparked my passion for global health and for honoring the diverse ways medicine is practised. Through this platform, I hope to create space for individuals to share their unique insights and help build a more inclusive and compassionate healthcare system.