About Us
Learn more about your Pre-SOMA team for the 2023-2024 Academic Year!
National Pre-SOMA Directors
Pre-SOMA is led by 2 SOMA National Directors. You can reach us at any time at presoma@studentdo.org!
Junior Pre-SOMA Director
Jordan Paluch
Hometown: Lake Geneva, WI
COM: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Year: OMS-III
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Hobbies: Traveling, shopping, attending concerts, napping
Fun fact: I have traveled to 8 different countries since matriculating into medical school!
Senior Pre-SOMA Director
Makayla Bolls
Hometown: Bakersfield, CA
COM: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Year: OMS-IV
Specialty: Psychiatry
Hobbies: Paddleboarding, being outdoors, baking, listening to true crime podcasts.
Fun fact: I enjoy learning about the legal system and heavily considered going to law school.
National Pre-SOMA Committee
In the Spring of 2021, Resolution S-21-04: “Creation of a National Pre-SOMA Standing Committee” was passed at the SOMA House of Delegates, which allows for expansion of the National Pre-SOMA reach.
The objective of the Pre-SOMA Standing Committee is to carry out the existing activities of National Pre-SOMA on a larger scale, with the goal of increasing reach, membership, and resources to pre-medical students. These activities include but are not limited to: strengthening Pre-SOMA’s social media presence, maintenance of the mentorship program, membership and recruitment, the establishment of new chapters, leadership development, and valuable programming development and execution, including innovative virtual and in-person programming. Composed of both medical students and pre-medical students from a variety of regions in the United States, and led by Co-Chairs (National Pre-SOMA Directors), the Standing Committee will ensure the continuity of the recently instituted mentorship program, and explore ways to ensure the consistent growth and expansion of Pre-SOMA on the local and national levels. Read more about the Pre-SOMA Committee and their roles below!
Programming Chair & Coordinators
Programming Chair
Jessica Kroner oversees all programming and events done by the Pre-SOMA Committee. This includes, but is not limited to: ShaDO Week, National Osteopathic Night Out (NONO), virtual events, and OMED and Spring Convention conference programming!
Hometown: Nanuet, NY
COM: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Middletown
Year: OMS-IV
Specialty: Pediatrics
Hobbies: puzzles, reading, family time, event planning
Fun fact: My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving!
Programming Coordinator
Zachary Breeden is one of the Programming Coordinators, who are responsible for creating all of the event programming throughout the year.
Hometown: Grand Island, NY
COM: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Year: OMS-II
Specialty of Interest: Neurosurgery
Hobbies: Going to the gym.
Fun Fact: I used to train in mixed martial arts.
Programming Coordinator
John Scully is one of the Programming Coordinators, who are responsible for creating all of the event programming throughout the year.
Hometown: Berea, Kentucky
COM: University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Year: OMS-II
Specialty Interest: Neurology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine
Fun fact: I enjoy the outdoors, and love my life in the mountains!
Programming Coordinator
Izza Arquam is one of the Programming Coordinators, who are responsible for creating all of the event programming throughout the year.
Hometown: Latham
COM: NYITCOM
Year: OMS-II
Specialty Interest: Orthopedics
Fun Fact: I love swimming
Region Chair & Coordinators
Region Chair
Nirzari "Nikki" Mehta oversees all region members, chapters, Coordinators, and Pre-SOMA Liaisons. She also connects the Region Coordinators with National SOMA.
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
COM: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) – Louisiana Campus
Year: OMS-III
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Hobbies: Hiking, dancing, cooking!
Fun fact: I was an Under-16 Table Tennis champion in India!
Eastern Region Coordinator (1-3)
Chethana Gallage Dona serves as the point of contact for Pre-SOMA students within Regions 1-3 and facilitates the collaboration of Pre-SOMA chapters, members, and Pre-SOMA Liaisons within their respective regions.
Hometown: I’m an international student from Sri Lanka, but I consider Queens, NY my home
COM: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harlem, NY
Year: OMS-II
Specialty of interest: Family Medicine
Hobbies: I’m a huge Foodie!
Fun fact: I was in a Korean TV program as a child!
Western Region Coordinator (4-5)
Joshua Connor serves as the point of contact for Pre-SOMA students within Regions 4-5 and facilitates the collaboration of Pre-SOMA chapters, members, and Pre-SOMA Liaisons within their respective regions.
Hometown: Peoria, Illinois
COM: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Year: OMS-II
Specialty/Interest: Dermatology; inflammatory diseases / autoimmune diseases / skin cancers
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I am an identical twin and have six siblings; wine connoisseur; audiobooks – science fiction novels or medical books; Fall is favorite time of year (corn mazes, pumpkin spice, haunted houses)
Newsletter Chair
Kathleen O'Neal serves as the Newsletter Chair, which is responsible for putting together and distributing the Pre-SOMA monthly newsletter.
Hometown: Tuscaloosa, AL
COM: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM)
Year: OMS-II
Specialty: Otolaryngology (ENT) and Pediatrics
Hobbies: Reading, running, painting, and cross stitching!
Fun Fact: I played clarinet in the University of Alabama marching band for 4 years!
Membership Chair
Kristie Nguyen is responsible for maintaining a running list of members and chapters, ensuring new members are directed to the proper resources, continuously updating contact information, communicating with members, and helping chapters increase local membership.
Hometown: Elk Grove, CA
COM: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Year: OMS-IV
Specialty: OBGYN
Hobbies: Crocheting, claw machines, baking, true crime podcasts, painting
Fun fact: I was an 11lb baby!
Social Media Chair
Ava DiGirolamo is responsible for social media content creation, management, and all Pre-SOMA public relations!
Hometown: Darien, IL
COM: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Year: OMS-II
Specialty: OBGYN, psychiatry
Hobbies: dancing, crocheting, hanging with my cats, social media
Fun fact: I was on Tulane University’s Dance Team, Shockwave, for all 4 years of college!