Orientation Committee

Hey everyone! I’m from New Rochelle, NY, which is just a 15 minute drive north of Einstein. I graduated Vassar in 2019 with a degree in Biochem (unique I know,) took 1 year off to do Alzheimer’s Disease related research at Rockefeller University before coming to Einstein! When I’m not studying in Belfer, I enjoy cooking dinners with my friends, dominating our competitive spikeball league, playing video games, and tending to my plants.

Try to focus on what you find interesting! The pass/fail system is really nice because it allows you to dedicate as much time as you want to the things you really care about, and give less time to the things you don’t. Focusing things you find cool will keep you from getting burnt out so quickly.

What’s up everyone, my name is Cam, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to Einstein!  I grew up really close to school, living in both the Wakefield section of the Bronx and Yonkers and took a non-traditional route to get into medical school.  As an undergraduate at Fordham University, I majored in Journalism and then went on to earn a graduate degree in Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown. Before matriculating into Einstein, I also worked a series of jobs across the spectrum including research assistant, basketball coach, valet, medical assistant, and salesman at a clothing store just to name a few.  I love to watch and play sports (especially basketball and football), hang with friends in the courtyard after class, shop for sneakers and graphic tees, and grab coffee or dinner with friends off campus. I look forward to meeting you all this summer! ✌🏾

DO NOT FORGET THAT YOU BELONG HERE. Imposter syndrome is real, but all your hard work and sacrifices are what got you here, so don’t forget that you are more than capable of doing the work.  There will be times that you get overwhelmed or feel burnt out, but never get caught up in doubting your own abilities or comparing yourself to others, just do what is best for you! Find those people (and pets) that are in your corner, utilize campus resources, take time off when you need to, reward yourself, and most importantly you should fully embrace the pass/fail grading.

Hey, what's up, guys!? My name is Ayobami, and I'm from Rockland County, NY. I graduated from the University of Maryland - College Park with a Nutrition degree in 2018. Following graduation, I attended a post-baccalaureate pre-med program at Temple University while working as a personal trainer. 

Take care of yourself and don’t compare your statistics with anyone else ! As a first year, you’ll all be figuring out what works best for you at your own pace. For some, this may be very quick but it might take others some time.  Wherever you find yourself on that spectrum, just relax and take things one day at a time. Just remember, you were chosen for a reason and everything will work out in the end.  

Bienvenidos a Einstein! My name is Daniel Alicea (feel free to call me Dan) and I am from the Bronx just 15 minutes away from Einstein. As you can see from my education record, I love NYC and plan to stay here for residency (as of now). I majored in Bio and minored in Spanish at Fordham then did my Masters in Human Nutrition. I took two gap years, one to do my Masters and the second to earn some income as a Research Assistant at Hospital for Special Surgery doing orthopedic, translational research. Besides studying, I genuinely enjoy spending time with friends and family whether it is cooking (more eating for me), exploring the Bronx and the NYC boroughs, running (currently training for a half marathon), biking, hiking, travelling, etc. My Einstein friends have brought out the best in me and have taught me to step out of my comfort zone and do more adventurous stuff.

Congrats on making it to Einstein! My name is Cas, and I’m from Maryville, TN. I went to a small school in east Tennessee where I played basketball and majored in Biology and Chemistry. I took a gap year before coming to Einstein and worked as a tech at an oral surgery clinic. In my free time (which you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how much free time you’ll have this year!!), I love schoolin all the dudes in basketball, cooking amazing food with my even more amazing roommate, hanging out with friends, and exploring new restaurants.  

Pass/Fail!! Please don’t be studying on a Friday night or Saturday!! Say yes to random trips to the beach! Throw pizza nights with your friends! Seriously, I haven’t felt a quarter of the stress I had as a pre-med, and the year still went fine, so please don’t worry or beat yourself up! I’ve always struggled with Imposter Syndrome but please know that you are supposed to be here!! You WILL be a doctor! Congrats!!

 Welcome to Einstein! My name is Andrew, and I am from Armonk, New York way up in Westchester. In college I majored in Public Policy and studied Global Health Policy. After college I fled the Midwest and went back to the East Coast (though I do deeply miss Chicago), and I took two gap years before starting at Einstein. I love the outdoors, and when the weather is nice you can find me running around the Bronx, or hiking in upstate New York. When the weather is not so nice you can still find me outside on a winter hike, or skiing somewhere far away. 

Take advantage of living in the Bronx! There is plenty to do around here to destress from studying. I am a huge fan of the New York Botanical Gardens nearby, they always have interesting exhibits going on and it’s just peaceful to walk around there. Arthur Avenue is also close and has some of the best Italian food in the city (pro tip: if you have a car it is so worth the trip to go grocery shopping near Arthur Ave where you can get some nice freshly imported Italian groceries).

Hi everyone and congratulations on getting into medical school! We’re very excited to have you! I’m Anne and I’m from San Diego, CA. I went to undergrad at UCSD and graduated in 2019 with a degree in Human Biology. During college and through my gap year I worked as an EMT and then an ED Technician, volunteered at a free clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, and spent plenty of time with my friends and family. Moving to the Bronx has been a big change but a very welcome one! I love cooking with my friends, exploring, and drawing. 

Get some rest! Whether that’s getting a couple extra minutes of sleep, doing something fun with your friends, or just taking a walk on a nice day. It’s really easy to feel like you need to be productive all the time, but you can’t pour from an empty cup.

 Hey guys, congrats and welcome to Einstein! My name is Bella and I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. I moved to Boston for undergrad and majored in Behavioral Neuroscience. I came to New York for my gap year, where I worked at the Hospital for Special Surgery doing clinical research, and then made it here. I love hanging out with friends, playing soccer and tennis, and binge-watching cliché romance tv shows.

P = MD. Enjoy your first year, take time off on weekends, hang out with friends. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with different study styles until you find what works for you; it took me an entire semester.

Hey everyone! I’m Kevin Ho! I grew up in Irvine, CA and went to Tufts University for college. I double majored in Biochemistry and Classics, so let me know if you want to geek out over any Greek mythology, any hilarious Greek tragedies/epics, or anything about Roman history and its list of many competent consuls. I’ve traveled around the world quite a bit, taking pictures of super cool landscapes. Yes, Iceland is my next travel destination. In my free time I like to sing, play basketball, take pictures, work out, run, watch sitcoms … I like a lot of things. Dislike few things. While I was in Boston for college, I worked part time as an EMT and also did 2 years of neuroscience research. I could talk at length about those but I’d rather talk about Alexander the Great. Now I am here in the Bronx for med school and so far I am LOVING it! 

Med school is hard but very VERY doable. Trust your instincts and be as adaptable as possible. Block out the haters but always keep an ear open for unexpecting pieces of sage advice. Try your absolute hardest and I promise that’ll be enough.   

Hey class of 2025! Welcome to Einstein! My name is Amy, and I am originally from Oakland, CA. I went to undergrad in Boston at Northeastern University where I majored in Health Science with a minor in Theater. I came straight to Einstein after graduating in 2020 and am so excited to have you all join us at this amazing school. In my free time, I love cooking for friends, going to museums, and binge watching TV shows. 

Don’t be afraid to switch up your study strategies from undergrad. I used to be a die-hard creator of study guides and I haven’t made any in med school. It’s a big adjustment, but just be kind to yourself and take care of yourself. It’s a marathon and a good nights’ sleep is more important than an extra hour or two of studying!  

Welcome to Einstein everyone! My name is Lexi, and I am originally from Long Island, NY. I went to Binghamton University where I majored in Integrative Neuroscience. During my gap year, I was a cardiology research assistant for Northwell Health. I love dancing, going for walks, trying new coffee shops, antiquing, and traveling! I’m so happy to be a part of the Einstein family, and I’m excited for you all to join us!

Balance is so important! It may be hard to find that balance in the beginning, but you will :) There are some long weekends/breaks built into first year for you to travel, spend time with friends/family, plan a spontaneous weekend getaway, or catch up on studying (if that would make you happy). Most importantly, stay true to yourself and what works best for you, continue your passions/hobbies, and take it one day at a time! Everyone at Einstein is in this together!  

Congratulations and welcome to Einstein!!! My name is Avi and I was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Despite loving Canadian winters, snow days, and playing ice hockey, my family moved to California before I began college. I attended Yeshiva University in New York City, where I majored in Biology. I really enjoy teaching others, and this motivated me to take two gap years before coming to Einstein, during which I served as a high school science teacher and a college science tutor. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking/exploring new recipes from around the world, skiing, running and playing sports. Einstein is a great medical school with an amazing community, campus and close-knit student body! We are all excited to welcome and assist you all as you begin your journey into medical school!   

It's totally normal to take some time to adjust your studying techniques and habits from college to what works for you in medical school. Trust in your instincts and don’t be afraid to try new things, ask older students for recommendations on specific courses and trial with different study resources. Make sure to join your class GroupMe chat as it will be a great reminder of what assignments are due and where sessions are being held on campus. It will also provide you with lots of great and therapeutic memes throughout the year!  

Hi everyone! My name is Hailey and I am originally from Upstate NY. I went to school in Boston where I majored in biochemistry and communication sciences and then came straight to Einstein. By far my favorite thing about Einstein has been the community, and we’re excited to have you join us!

Embrace the pass/fail! If you’re tired, go to bed. If you want to see friends or family, do it! Balance is important.

I am originally from Staten Island, NY. I attended Cornell University for undergrad, majoring in Biology. Following college, I moved to Boston, MA where I took two gap years working as a clinical research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital. My interests outside of school include specialty coffee, biking, visiting museums around the city and cooking! 

Allow yourself to have blocks of time dedicated to activities that are not school-related. A day off won’t hurt you, it will only serve to improve your well-being and mental health.

Helllooooooooooo Class of 2025 and welcome to Camp Einstein! I grew up across the bridge in Manhattan and moved to Nashville for undergrad, where I majored in Film and Medicine, Health, & Society (MHS). I graduated in 2018 and then did a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences at Tufts in Boston. Then, I moved back to NYC and worked for Harlem Children’s Zone for a bit and was a Covid Contact Tracer for a bit. In my free time, I enjoy playing pickup soccer and convincing others to procrastinate with me in the courtyard.

Be spontaneous and say YES to things. At Einstein it is entirely possible to live your life with a side of med school rather than being med school with a side of life. 

Welcome class of 2025! My name is Sophia and I’m from Long Island, NY. I’m a proud graduate of Barnard College where I studied biology and French. I was definitely one of those annoying people who said “study abroad changed my life”. I was thrilled to come to Einstein and be able to continue exploring the city, along with baking, crafting, and hanging out with my cat in my free time. I’m so excited to meet y’all!

Take care of yourself and don’t be afraid to advocate for your needs. Einstein is really responsive, and they understand when you have to put yourself first.

Welcome to Einstein!  I’m originally from the Bay Area and moved to New York for undergrad.  I majored in Dance and Economics before taking a hard left turn toward medicine.  Since graduating from NYU, I’ve worked as a modern dancer, grant writer for a non-profit, and as a clinic coordinator for a psychiatry residency program.  I love hiking, board games, dance, and opera.

Just know that the students you’re about to meet at Einstein are the best -- generous, kind, fun, and down to Earth. You’ll fit in just fine! Oh, and Gun Hill Brewing in the Bronx has some of the best brews in the city.

Hey everyone and welcome to Einstein! My name is Emily, and I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I studied pharmacy at St. John’s University and worked at North Shore University Hospital’s emergency department before coming to Einstein. In my free time, I love cooking, hiking, trying out new foods/restaurants, and traveling!

Take advantage of the P/F curriculum and make time for yourself and other non-school related things. You’ve already made it this far so trust in your abilities. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing and just focus on yourself! 

What’s up Class of 2025!!! My name is Alina and I’m from the beautiful state of California (see pictured above). I graduated from UCLA in 2020 with a BS in Psychobiology and a minor in Film. Some things I love include making peppery and/or peanut butter-based cuisines, forcing myself to run, people-watching in Central Park, and singing as loudly and off-tune as I can.  

I’m sure I’m not the first one to say this, but chill the heck out! There really is no reason to kill yourself over getting a 90+ on everything. Of course, try your best, but also hang out with your classmates! Keep up your hobbies and try new ones too! Spend time with old friends and family! Make new friends and family! Write a book, run a marathon, take a nap, and do whatever the heck else you want to do because you can find the time if you make it and you don’t have to stop being you just ‘cause you’re in med school.  

Hi fellow peers, welcome to Einstein! My name is Diana, and I was born and raised in Orange County, Southern California. I majored in biology at UCI, graduated in 2018, and started working in a pulmonology clinic for about 2 years before coming to Einstein for medical school. For fun, I like to think about food and what I want to eat/make next, which is a nice skill to have when helping plan dinner parties! I am also a huge movie enthusiast, love discussing interesting films, and learning about cinematography. That’s not to say I don’t indulge in questionable TV shows like 90 Day Fiance, Love is Blind, and Labor of Love.

Get houseplants! Not only does it spruce up your room but seeing new plant growth helps with mental health. Plus, there is nothing more gratifying than seeing something thrive by your own efforts. 

Congratulations Class of 2025! I’m so excited to get to know all of you. I am originally from Parsippany, New Jersey. I moved to Philadelphia for undergrad, where I completed my B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of the Sciences. I graduated in May of 2020, and I started at Einstein last fall. In my free time, I love going on walks around the Bronx with friends, trying out new recipes, and doing yoga! 

Before starting medical school, I heard a lot about the pressure that being a medical student can put on your personal relationships. My advice is to make time for everything and everyone that is important to you. School can definitely be overwhelming, but having friends and family to lean on helps! We are joining a field of work where human connection is essential, and it should be just as important in our own lives.

Hi Class of 2025!! Congrats and welcome to Einstein :) My name is Priyanka and I was born and raised on Long Island just 35 minutes from the Bronx. I majored in biology at UCLA and then moved up to SF where I did healthcare consulting for 2 years. I am a huge foodie (especially all food in Flushing) and I love going into the city to try new restaurants, desserts, and walk around. I also love wine and movies, preferably together, and hanging out with friends. I spent a lot of time in quarantine binging shows like Never Have I Ever and New Girl, so if anyone ever wants to marathon anything, let me know!

The earlier you embrace the P/F the happier you’ll be. It took me a while to get on board with this but literally no one will ever know if you got a 100 or a 65 on a test - it’s the things that you do outside of studying that help make memories and make med school so much more fun!

Hi guys welcome to Einstein! My name is Chihiro (or Chi for short), and I was born in Kobe, Japan and raised in New York City. I studied biology at Penn and worked at a lab there during my gap years. My favorite animes are Detective Conan and Demon Slayer and my favorite Netflix show is Selling Sunset. In my free time, I like going for bike rides and talking about how much I love Philly. This year I am hoping to finally get my driver’s license. 

If you live on campus and use Doordash, Instacart, Uber Eats, etc. make sure to include specifics in the delivery directions (go through the black gates, type in the code, head to the towers) or meet them at the gate. This will make it much easier for the delivery person and minimize time waiting for food.

Welcome, Class of 2025! My name is Yasmine and I am from Portland, Oregon. I went to undergrad here in NYC at Hunter College, where I majored in biochemistry. Before coming to Einstein, I took one gap year and worked in research & development at a biotech company. In my free time, I love to bake, explore new food and dessert spots in the city with friends, and tend to my ever-expanding plant collection.  

Find a balance that works for you and always make time for things you enjoy! Congrats on making it here--we’re very excited to welcome you to Einstein!

Hi guys! My name is Keyla and I am from the West Bronx about 15 min from Einstein. I majored in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. I took one gap year in which I worked as a Research Data Associate at the NYU Langone Cancer Center. I am Dominican and love all types of food and travel! 

Do what is best for you! If that means going home and spending time with family, friends, or recharging do that! Don’t stress too much and just do your best. You definitely get used to the workload and find your rhythm after a bit of time.

Hello and Welcome to Einstein! You will love it here! I was born in Israel, and grew up in NYC. At Pitt I majored in chemistry after which I spent my gap year working as a lab tech. I love to bake, play guitar, and explore all the awesome things to do in the city. The people are by far the best thing about Einstein, you will meet some amazing peers and mentors here! 

Download Anki :D. But for real, rely on your classmates. There are infinite things to learn and an infinite set of resources to choose from; by far the most useful ones are your peers. Ask for help, work together, and offer to help out if you ever notice a friend needs it! Also make sure to do things you enjoy outside of studying. Medical school is a marathon, not a sprint, and you should allow yourself to be happy the whole way through! 

Welcome to Einstein everybody! My name is Ryan, and I’m a twin (*see other Powers), so forgive me if my bio seems a bit repetitive. I’m from Long Beach, NY on the south shore of Long Island, and I graduated from Notre Dame in 2019 with a degree in Science-Business. I spent one gap year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps  in Kansas City where I worked at a non-profit health center called KC Care. Since I’ve been here at Einstein, I’ve greatly enjoyed playing Spikeball with friends (Michael and I are a deadly duo),  enjoying nice days in Pelham Bay or Central Park, and jamming out with some fellow musicians on guitar. 

Treat yourself well! Y’all have made it this far, so we all know you’ll do fine academically. But use that pass/fail mentality to your advantage when finding a work-life balance. If you want or need to take a day to enjoy time to yourself or with friends, by all means take that time! I think you’ll find that the student body here at Einstein is super chill overall, so you can definitely balance your good times with your study times.

Welcome y’all! We are so happy to have you here at Einstein! My name is Connor, and I grew up in Long Beach, NY on Long Island. I studied Science-Business at Notre Dame and graduated in 2019. My gap year took me to Spokane, WA, where I undertook a year of service with AmeriCorps and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest. During that year, I served at a Crisis Nursery for kids and families going through lots of different challenges. Here at Einstein, I volunteer with ECHO, play guitar with the Musicians of Einstein, and enjoy pizza with friends during Belfer study sessions. 

Be yourself! Make time for the things you enjoy, remember the values that are important to you, and pay attention to your needs, whatever they may be. The community at Einstein is extraordinarily accepting and supportive, so there is no need to worry about fitting into one particular mold. This is the time to become the physician and person you want to be! 

Hi team! My name is Cory, and I’m originally from South River, NJ. I studied Neurobiology in college and minored in Spanish. I was an SAT/ACT tutor during my gap year before I came to Einstein. The best thing about Einstein is the housing courtyard: I can walk out of my apartment and end up playing an impromptu game of football or talking with my friends that were just hanging out on the lawn!  

Take advantage of the campus rec spaces! Go to the gym, the tennis courts, and the basketball courts. Hang out in the housing lobbies. Play Spikeball in the grass. Volunteer to water the BODY garden. Also highly recommend sledding behind the 1945 building in the winter. 

Welcome everyone! My name is Jordan and I am a proud 2015 graduate of the University of Delaware (go blue hens!) where I majored in Neuroscience. I’m originally from Cherry Hill, NJ, and I lived in DC and Philly (my favorite place ever) during my 5 gap years. I’m a lover of food, traveling, beaches, and french bulldogs, and if I wasn’t a medical student, I would be a fitness instructor and interior designer. My journey towards becoming a medical student was long and winding, but I’m so happy I made it here to Einstein, and I’m excited to meet all of you!  

Live and breathe the pass/fail mentality. I’m a big fan of early bed-times or spending an entire day in bed watching TV, and I know sometimes it can be hard to turn off the voice that tells you to keep studying. But pass/fail grading is there to allow you to balance school and life outside of school, and that balance is so so important!  

Hey everyone and welcome welcome welcome to Einstein! My name is Peter and I’m from Tenafly, New Jersey. After graduating high school at Horace Mann in the Bronx, I had a quick (but awesome) stint in D.C. at Georgetown studying Healthcare Policy, graduating in 2020. I’m back in the Bronx and could not be more excited to be here! When I’m not grinding, I’m usually on a run in Pelham Park (really competes with Central Park IMO), in Manhattan with friends, at home in NJ with family and my dog, or perusing any and every streaming platform for my next favorite TV show. While it was certainly not an option this past year, I love to travel and enjoy frequent changes of scenery... pictured above is me in Plaza Botero in Medellin, Colombia… best trip!  

 If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far in med school, it’s that it’s okay to focus on yourself and your needs! Information overload in med school is real, and tuning out the unnecessary noise has certainly helped me get through. Everyone above me in this doc is so right, whether their advice has to do with treating yourself, not stressing too much, or that med school is totally doable. And yes, the pass/fail system is a real game changer… focus on what you’re most interested in! Keep up with lectures and stay organized, I promise you’ll get to keep those Saturdays you thought you would have to give up while in med school. Everyone here is great and wants you to succeed, so enjoy this time and keep your mind open to all the opportunities that come your way!  

Hey guys, and congratulations on your acceptance to Einstein! We’re so happy to have you! My name is Neda and I am from Great Neck, NY. I graduated from Yeshiva University in 2019 with a degree in biology, and I worked as a research assistant during my gap year in a neuroscience/psychiatry lab at Mount Sinai. When I’m not on a power walkto Pelham Bay Park, you can usually find me cooking up a storm, spending 2+ hours on the phone catching up with friends, listening to a mindfulness podcast, or calling my mom for the millionth time to get a good Persian recipe down pat. I also love heading into the city for a good meal out with friends, and I will always appreciate a good movie recommendation (that isn’t a horror movie). 

Transitioning into medical school will feel unlike anything you’ve ever done before, and that’s okay! It takes time to get into the groove of things, but I promise the way you feel in your first two weeks will feel drastically different than how you feel at the end of the year. You’ll quickly learn you’re more capable than you think! Keep yourself surrounded with people who make you feel good and keep up good study habits, and you’ll be well on your way to that M.D. sooner than you think...

Hi Class of 2025! Congrats on starting medical school! My name is Natalie and I’m from Allentown, Pennsylvania. I went to a small liberal arts college in PA where I graduated in 2020 with my BS in Biology. When I’m not studying, I love to paint, read, dance, and explore fun places in the city. This past year I’ve tried to see a lot of the different art museums in NYC. I’m so excited to meet you!

Med school is hard so you should treat yourself to nice things when you have time!

Congratulations Class of 2025! I’m so excited to meet everyone! My name is Minh, and I am from Los Angeles, California. I graduated from UCLA with a degree in Psychobiology in 2018. During my gap years, I worked as an after school teacher/tutor and a scribe at an internal medicine clinic. During my free time, I love to exercise, try out new restaurants with my friends, take care of my plants, and lounge around.  

Balance is so important! Always remember to take time to relax and hang out with your friends and family. Classes are P/F, so don’t stress too much. Find what works for you and don’t compare yourself to your peers because everyone is different.  

Hi everyone, welcome to the Boogie Down Bronx! My name is Julia and I’m from Long Island, NY. I studied biomedical engineering at Binghamton University and graduated in 2019. During my gap year I was a scribe, Peds ED volunteer, and nanny turned Zoom-homeschool teacher of 3. In my free time I like to make excuses to walk to Stop and Shop, play competitive Scattergories, and host luaus. 

P/F is likely the single greatest thing that will ever happen to you. Make time for yourself, your friends/family, and sleep. It can seem overwhelming at first but there is more than enough time to study and even more time to not study.