Peer Support Network

If you are interested in being connected with a peer support leader:

• Fill out the Peer Support Network Referral Form.
• Someone from the Peer Support Network will be in contact with you within a week. 

Philip Khoury (Co-President): Medical school is a very unique experience that can be alien to those who are not intimately aware of how grueling the path to becoming a doctor can be. That's why it is so important to lean on those who are sharing in this experience with you. It is so important to remember why you chose to get into medicine and to hold onto the compassion and humanism that inspired us to help others. 

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Sarina Maini (Co-President): I’m passionate about fostering a supportive community where asking for help and talking about mental health should not be shamed. I eagerly look forward to chatting with my peers about a wide range of topics from academic challenges to time management and managing life and personal development beyond being a medical student.

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Ryan Lashgari (Student Liaison): I joined Peer Support Network because medical school is a unique experience that often those outside of medicine have trouble understanding. I hope to be a resource for fellow medical students during the ups and downs of medical school. Feel free to reach out and chat whenever. No need for it to be constructive, If you just want to vent about attendings, shelves, coursework, or anything that comes with this insane experience.

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Anna Christou: The strong sense of community is one of my favorite things about UMSOM, and I’ve found that talking with my classmates has helped me navigate stressful situations. I’m excited to talk about study strategies, mental health, research, or just life in general with you all.

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Nycole Hidalgo: Medical school is a unique experience and peer mentors understand the excitement, anxiety, and stress you may encounter during your journey. My goal is to listen to your unique experiences, celebrate all the wins, and support you during difficult times. Whether it's grabbing coffee, developing wellness routines, or practicing yoga together.

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Hima Konduru: In my own experience so far in medical school, there have been amazing, exciting moments as well as stressful ones. Through it all, a strong sense of community and support from those around me has been fundamental to appreciating this journey. I believe in having open, safe conversations about our highs, lows, and everything in between.

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Christine Wan: We all know that medical school can be one rollercoaster of a ride, and I want you to know that you’re not alone in this journey. Whether you’re struggling with school-life balance, study strategies, motivation, or just want to chat, I’m here for you - so, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Reshmi Talwar (Vice President): Medical school is an amazing and fulfilling, but it is also common to feeling overwhelmed, drained, and isolated at times. Whenever I feel this way, my support system of friends and family always help me with comforting advice, coping strategies, and a listening ear.

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Zain Shamsuddin (Fundraising Chair):  A little about me, I love going for hikes, playing basketball, and eating an unreasonable amount. Juggling med school can be tough, and I'm here to help you navigate any academic, emotional, or personal hurdles you might face. I'm here to be a totally confidential sounding board — no judgments, just support. 

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Noor Ul Huda Awan: Before med school, I worked as a crisis counselor, which helped me develop a deep appreciation for listening and being present for others during difficult moments. Going through the ups and downs of medical school myself and seeing my friends struggle with the same has deepened my empathy for what we all carry behind the scenes.

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Lauren Bernard: Medical school can be a wild ride. Whether you’ve had a great moment in anatomy lab, a tough experience in POM, are deep in the grind of Step studying, or just need to vent—it really helps to talk it out. As someone who’s from out of state, I’m also happy to be a listening ear for others navigating that experience.

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Ryan McCarragher: Medical school can be a super exciting and often long-awaited time, but it can also be really stressful. I know for me, being able to talk through it all with friends was one of the most helpful things for relieving my stress and making it all feel more manageable. 

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Sara Sabet: I am here to reiterate that medical school is HARD. High highs (if/when we're lucky) and low lows, there is no sugar coating the challenge that is navigating being a student while simultaneously being a however-year-old human being. The past 2 years, I have also learned the ways our unique struggles (for me, one has been my neurodivergence and navigating my ADHD in such a neurotypical space) only pile on to the fun. It would be an immense privilege to be whatever you need in this moment - a soundboard, decider of sorts in times of decision fatigue, someone to check in on you every X amount of days - whatever you’re able to trust a peer to be there for you with.

Nischal Ada: Med school is hard but it’s also been a really fun time. What helped me make this possible was the friends I made, and I want to help be there for you for academic support so that you can spend more time doing the things you love, with the people you love!

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Angela Lee: Medical school is an incredibly meaningful experience, but it can also feel overwhelming, isolating, or just plain confusing at times. I’ve found that some of the most helpful moments in my own journey have come from honest, no-pressure conversations with peers who have been where you have been and likely struggled with the same things. Whether you’re looking for study tips, need a space to vent, want to talk through life outside of med school, or just feel like grabbing a drink and chatting

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Claire Wegner: Medical school is incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming, isolating, and emotionally challenging at times. What helped me the most was having people I could talk to who truly understood what I was going through. I’d love to be that person for you—someone who’s been there, who gets it, and who’s always happy to listen.

• Students interested in becoming a Peer Support Leader have the opportunity at the beginning of every academic year in August to apply to be trained and become a volunteer.
• You must be an MS2 or above to apply and invitations to apply will come via email to the class list-serves.