Meet the 2021-2022 Officers

President: Cole Prosser (He/Him)

Hey AED! My name is Cole Prosser and I am honored to serve you as the President of AED for the 2021-2022 school year! I am a Senior Public Health major with a minor in Business Administration from Murrells Inlet, SC on the Pre-Dental track. Joining AED my freshman year was by far the most beneficial step I have made as a student here at the UofSC, and as president of AED I want to provide everyone the opportunities I was presented throughout my time in the organization by those before me. I will do this by leading all members towards our common end goal of setting ourselves apart as exceptional healthcare candidates, all while encouraging individuality and inclusion inside of the organization. As future healthcare workers, we are at the forefront of leading in diversity and transparency within our profession, and it is my goal to express this through our organization!

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at cprosser@email.sc.edu or (843)655-7970!

Vice President: Kelly Reid (She/Her)

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Hi everyone! My name is Kelly Reid, and I am so excited to be your Vice President of AED this year! I am a senior Exercise Science major with a Psychology minor from Chesapeake, Virginia on the Pre-Physical Therapy track! Joining AED my freshman year has provided me with so many new friends, connections, and professional knowledge, and I am so grateful that I am in a position to provide those same pillars and unforgettable experiences to our members! My main goal as Vice President is to encourage Executive Board and Cabinet transparency and communication, while also helping to rebuild the social community within AED after a year of being entirely online. I am looking forward to serving our amazing members! 

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to talk, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at kar7@email.sc.edu!

Vice President of Operations: Chandler Curtis (She/Her)

Hi everyone! My name is Chandler Curtis, and I can’t wait to serve this awesome organization as one of the Vice Presidents of Operations this year! I am a Senior Biology major and Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior minor on the Pre-Med track. I love AED because of the connections it has allowed me to form with so many amazing, like-minded people, and my primary goal as VPO is to give other members all of the opportunities I had to grow personally and professionally through AED. I think that together, we can accomplish so much this year, and I want to work hard to implement ideas of all members so that everyone feels heard. Outside of AED, I do research in a Neuroscience lab, work as a medical assistant, and love to workout at F45 Training. I am looking forward to a great year with each and every one of you!

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Please feel free to chat with me about anything at all throughout the year at cjcurtis@email.sc.edu!

Vice President of Operations: Katie Slick (She/Her) 

Hey pals! My name is Katie Slick and I am overjoyed to serve as one of your Vice Presidents of Operations for the 2021-2022 year. I am a junior on the Pre-Med track from Lexington, South Carolina. I am majoring in Public Health, while pursuing a minor in Social Work. Joining AED further ignited my immense passion for healthcare and serving others. This organization has provided me with lifelong friendships and unparalleled opportunities. Outside of AED, I am the Co-Director for The BIG Event, and a Research Assistant at The Connect Lab. As your VPO, I will facilitate connections among the board and you, to create one AED family. Furthermore, I will work to amplify and hear your voices, ideas, and concerns. I strive to break the stigma behind mental health and ensure that no one is ever alone! As we emerge from the challenging and trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health needs to be prioritized more than ever. So, I will continue to advocate and promote the importance of it.

Please feel free to reach out to me at keslick@email.sc.edu for any questions or concerns. I’d adore to talk to each of you! I am here for all of you.

Secretary: Andy Hu (He/Him)

Hey y’all! My name is Andy Hu, and I am the Secretary this year. I am a senior, Pre-Med from Lexington, SC, majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Economics. Besides AED, I am also involved in Active Minds (a mental health organization), volunteer at the Free Medical Clinic, and in regards to research, I am working in a nicotine addiction lab and also with the Office of Undergraduate Research as a research ambassador. Member involvement is very important to me, so as your Secretary, I will always be open to suggestions and work in the best interest of members. I am grateful for everything AED has done for me, and I look forward to being a part of AED’s continued growth.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at aqhu@email.sc.edu!

Historian: Yasmen Balogun (She/Her)

Hey everyone! My name is Yasmen Balogun and I’m so excited to be your historian this year! I’m a junior on the pre-medical track from Lagos, Nigeria. I’m majoring in Mathematics and pursuing a minor in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior. Outside of AED, I’m the Vice President of Student Engagement for Galen Health Fellows and Director of Campus Outreach for the Big Event. Joining AED as a freshman has been one of the best decisions I’ve made at UofSC and I’m honored to be able to give back to this organization by serving you all! My favorite part of AED is having so many events and opportunities that have helped me learn so much about being a pre-health student and more. I would like to continue providing incentives in order to encourage our members to take advantage of these opportunities, and also get regular feedback to ensure that we’re providing enough opportunities for everyone.

Please feel free to email me at ybalogun@email.sc.edu.

New Member Director: Kaitlyn Hickey (She/Her)

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Hello!! My name is Kaitlyn Hickey, I am a rising senior from Raleigh North Carolina! I am on the Pre-Physician Assistant track studying Exercise Science with a minor in Leadership Studies. Outside of the classroom I am involved in University Ambassadors, ODK, and APPAS. In the Fall I will be serving as a University101 Peer Leader and Pi Chi for Panhellenic recruitment. Off campus, I work at a Family Medicine Practice, Cantina76 and volunteer at the Free Medical Clinic! As New Member Director, I hope the engage our new members with all members and the amazing opportunities for professional and personal development!

I look forward to networking with all of you! Please reach out to me krhickey@email.sc.edu!

Treasurer: Kayla Todaro (She/Her)

Hi Everyone! My name is Kayla Todaro and I am excited to be your Treasurer for the 2021-2022 academic school year. I am a Senior, Public Health (B.S.) major focusing on a pre-medical track from Charlotte, NC. I joined Alpha Epsilon Delta my freshman year and have gained a broader perspective of health professions and their interconnectivity. It has been a pleasure meeting many members in the organization and value their friendship. I would like to emphasize our role in fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and Relay for Life. In addition, I work in a research lab on campus and enjoy coaching gymnastics.

I look forward to a great year and value your input, please do not hesitate to reach out at ktodaro@email.sc.edu.

VITP Director: Tyler String (He/Him)

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Hey everyone! My name is Tyler String and I am a rising senior from Pawleys Island, South Carolina! I am studying Exercise Science on the pre-med track. Outside of my studies I enjoy being in the sun, exercising, and cooking healthy recipes. My favorite summer activity besides going to the beach is wakeboarding! I currently work as a MA with Tidelands Health in Myrtle Beach and I volunteer at the Free Med Clinic back at school. I am so excited to be working alongside Bryce this year to continue the outstanding reputation of the VITP program! I look forward to bringing back in-person events and to meet all of you guys!

If you have any questions or want to reach out to me in regards to anything, please feel free to text me anytime (609) 602-7279

PA-CT Program Director: Kyle Goodman (He/Him)

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Hey everyone! My name is Kyle Goodman and I am ecstatic to be serving as the newly founded PA-CT Director for the 2021-2022 school year. I am a junior Exercise Science major on the Pre-PA track from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Becoming a member of AED and taking advantage of everything this organization has to offer has undoubtedly been a highlight of my time here at UofSC so far. AED has pushed me to be the best version of myself, and along the way it has taught me skills of professionalism and given insight on how to succeed at the next level. Outside of AED, I dedicate my time as a member of the Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive committee, as well as the American Red Cross. In my free time I enjoy playing golf and intramural softball with my friends. As the PA-CT Director, I hope to build upon the already outstanding Physician Associate Collaborative Training Program by providing meaningful mentorship relationships between AED students and UofSC PA students. Having a mentor within the PA-CT program already, I can not emphasize enough how important it has been to have a person to rely on with whatever you may need on your journey towards PA school! I am very excited for the PA-CT program to grow this year and become an integral part of AED for years to come. 

If you have any questions, concerns or ideas please feel free to reach out to me at kdg5@email.sc.edu!

DPTMP Director: Meagan Jacobin (She/Her)

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Hi y’all! My name is Meagan Jacobin and I am serving as your Doctor of Physical Therapy Mentorship Program (DPTMP) Director this year! I am from Charleston, South Carolina and am a senior majoring in exercise science and minoring in physical education. Aside from academics, I have my lifeguard certification and am also certified as a personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. In my free time, I love to strengthen my photography skills and challenge myself in the sport of powerlifting. As DPTMP Director, I want to ensure that all of AED’s pre-PT members feel prepared for PT school applications and all that it entails. In this position, my goal is to be efficient in providing our members with ample opportunities involving service, experience, shadowing, and more!

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If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me via email at mjacobin@email.sc.edu!

Service Chair: Hannah Leili (She/Her)

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Hey guys! My name is Hannah Leili, and I am so excited to be serving alongside Ryan as your Service Chair for the 2021-2022 year with AED. I am from New Jersey and have lived in the same house for all of my life. I am a rising junior majoring in Public Health and minoring in Spanish on the pre-med track. I am currently really interested in OB-GYN and emergency medicine, but I’m not set on anything. 

Some of my favorite activities include tutoring, researching, and volunteering. Some of my favorite volunteering activities include working as a crisis counselor and going to the Transitions Homeless Shelter with other AED members. I work at the COVID-19 testing center on campus and I research with the Arnold Childhood Obesity Initiative. In my free time, I like hanging out with my friends, cooking new meals, FaceTiming my family members to bother them from 730 miles away, and meeting new people. On campus, I am also on the exec board for Habitat for Humanity and SC HOSA Future Health Professionals. 

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Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or suggestions at hleili@email.sc.edu.

Service Chair: Ryan Titus (He/Him)

Hey everyone! My name is Ryan Titus, and I am honored to be serving as one of your Service Chairs for the 2021-2022 AED year. I am originally from Moline, Illinois, but spent a majority of my childhood in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am a BARSC-MD major with a concentration in Public Health, and I hope to, one day, have the opportunity to start a Medical Clinic to help the underprivileged community I am serving. Outside of AED, I am a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a volunteer at Novant Health, spending over three years in the Medical-Surgical Unit and Emergency Department. This semester I will also be conducting research in cancer biology, while being an active member of Han’ Go International. As Service Chair, my main goal will be to offer unique service opportunities which will allow you to see the community through a different lens, which I hope will help you to treat your future patients with the utmost care, while also building a sense of fellowship within AED. 

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If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to talk, please feel free to reach out to me at rtitus@email.sc.edu.

Diversity and Inclusion Chair: Harlan Derry (He/Him)

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Hello everyone! My name is Harlan Derry, and I am super excited to serve as your Diversity and Inclusion chair this year! I am from Florence, SC and am a senior, Exercise Science major with a minor in Medical Humanities and Culture on the Pre-Med track.  I joined AED my freshman year, and it has been amazing to see it grow and improve over these years. Outside of AED, I am the Vice-President of Curriculum for the Pre-Health Journal Club, a research assistant with the Connect Lab, and a volunteer at the Free Medical Clinic. In my free time, I enjoy exercising and cooking. My goal for this position is to foster an environment that recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in all facets of life, especially in health care. Understanding the disparities that exist within health care will be extremely important whenever we all have our own patients, and I look forward to helping everyone be able to recognize and address them. 

As this is a new position, I would love to hear any suggestions for topics that we should discuss or events that we should have. You can contact me at  hderry@email.sc.edu.  

Event Coordinator: Braden Staub (He/Him)

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Hey, Gamecocks! My name is Braden Staub and I am one of the two Event Coordinators for AED this year. I am a third-year Biology major on a Pre-Med track that is interested in infectious diseases. In addition to AED, I am also a member of the Association of Public Health Infectious Disease Students (APHIDS) and the Barbell Club here on campus. Outside of school, I work as a pharmacy technician and I’m looking to do some laboratory research soon. When I’m not studying, I love weightlifting, reading, Netflix, and playing with my dog, Lucy! I know the past year and a half have been tedious, hard, and tiring for many but we- the Board and Cabinet- will work hard to make 2021-2022 one of the best years ever for AED! I want to personally make sure you all feel welcomed and involved within our organization while connecting with professionals, serving the community, and creating bonds with one another.

Please reach out to me with requests, ideas, questions, and comments at bstaub@email.sc.edu.

Event Coordinator: Janna MacLaren (She/Her)

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Hey everyone! My name is Janna MacLaren and I’m really excited to serve as an event coordinator for the coming year. I’m a junior from Baltimore, MD and an exercise science major/ neuroscience minor on the pre-med track. After graduating from USC, I hope to go to medical school and eventually go into orthopedics or cardiology. Through AED, I have been able to meet some amazing people and have so many great experiences! Outside of AED, I’m also a member of phi mu and gamecock club swimming, and I work in a cardiology research lab, and volunteer at the free medical clinic. I’m really looking forward to planning lots of great events for the upcoming year!

If you have any questions feel free to reach out! (jannaem@email.sc.edu)

Philanthropy Director: Brenna Meyers (She/Her)

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Hi everyone! My name’s Brenna Meyers, and I’m a junior on the pre-OT track. I’m a Public 

Health major with minors in French and Psychology. My hometown is Haymarket, VA which is about 45 minutes away from DC. In my free time I love reading, knitting, fitness, and watching Disney movies! I’m in the process of getting my EMT certification, and I teach Barre fitness classes. I’m so excited to serve as Philanthropy Director and provide our members with the opportunity to give back through our main philanthropy, Dance Marathon, and other philanthropic events in Columbia. 

Please reach out to me with insight or questions! You can email me at bmeyers@email.sc.edu

Pre-Dental Chair: Noah Rothman (He/Him)

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Hey everyone! My name is Noah Rothman. I’m a junior chemistry major with a minor in business administration hopefully on my way to dental school. I’m from Greenville, SC and love my state! I’m passionate about dentistry as a science, practice, and most importantly as a way to serve others. I’m excited to serve as pre-dental chair of AED and help all my fellow pre-dentals on our path to dental school! I hope to bring insight from dental professionals and current dental students, as well as provide opportunities to get involved in dental service and clinical settings. Outside of academics and AED, I am very involved with a local church, Midtown Fellowship. In my free time I love fitness, sports of all kinds, and a good book. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions! You can email me at nrothman@email.sc.edu

Allied Health Chair: Marilena Parker (She/Her)

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Hi everyone! My name is Marilena Parker and I am so excited to be y’all’s Allied Health Chair! I love to help people on their pre-health tracks and love answering questions so don’t be shy! I am a junior Exercise Science major and am on the Pre-PA track! I’m also the Vice President of the Carolina Clemson Blood Drive and am an RM in Columbia Hall as well as a member of APPAS! I have been an EMT for four years as well and am especially interested in trauma surgery! I absolutely love AED and am really looking forward to making resources more available and show what allied health really is! I love to help people decide their track and reach their goals in healthcare! AED has really given me a community of like minded people and I can’t wait to help all of you find your community among other people on your pre-health tracks!

If you have any questions or ideas or just want to chat about your track my email is marilena@email.sc.edu and my number is 908-894-9352

Social Chair: Tristan Lucas (He/Him)

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Hey everyone! My name is Tristan Lucas and I am from Columbia, South Carolina. I am a rising sophomore majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology on a pre-med track. Other than AED, I am involved with the Free Medical Clinic in downtown Columbia and I am currently conducting research about measles virus with Wang Research Group at UofSC. I am also a super fan of all things 80s rock and I have been playing guitar for 8 years. I am super excited for this coming year and being able to offer in person events as the COVID pandemic winds down for us. I am especially excited for the coming football season since we are able to begin tailgating with our members and other organizations. I can’t wait to see all the new faces this coming year and look forward to making your social AED experience one to remember. 

Please feel free to reach out to me at any time in the year for questions, comments, or concerns at lucasrt@email.sc.edu.

Wellness Chair: Emily Baniewicz (She/Her)

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Hi y’all! My name is Emily Baniewicz and I cannot be more excited to serve as your Wellness Chair this year! I am from Chicago, IL and am a Public Health B.S. major with a Spanish minor. After graduating, I hope to attend medical school in hopes of becoming a sports neurologist.  By joining AED freshman year, I have been able to make great friends, network with healthcare professionals, and share my passion for medicine with like-minded people. Outside of AED, I am a volunteer research assistant at the Concussion Health and Neuroscience Lab, the senior editor at HerCampus South Carolina, a volunteer at Congaree National Park with their Forest Wellness Program, and a tutor for student-athletes on campus.This year, I look forward to sharing as many resources as possible to help you further your healthcare career while also sharing ways to take care of yourself (mentally, physically, and emotionally) throughout the journey. To better serve your future patients, you must learn to take care of yourself!

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If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to talk, please feel free to reach out to me at emilypb@email.sc.edu.

Academics Chair: Taylor Olson (She/Her)

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Hi everyone! My name is Taylor Olson and I am excited to serve as the Academic Chair for this year! I am a rising senior Exercise Science major with a Medical Humanities and Culture minor from Lake Mary, Florida (just outside of Orlando), and I am on the Pre-PA track. I have loved every second of my time at UofSC and being a member of AED has been a large part of that! Other than AED, I am involved in Delta Zeta, volunteering at the Free Medical Clinic, working at an orthopedics practice, and doing research on maternal care services across South Carolina. As your Academics Chair, I hope to provide academic related resources, activities, and events to assist in your academic journey to becoming a future health care provider while fostering significant relationships among fellow members. I look forward to getting to know each of you and cannot wait for this year!

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, suggestions, concerns, or if you just want to chat at tkolson@email.sc.edu!

Director of Merchandising: Melinda Busman (She/Her)

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Hi AED! My name is Melinda Busman, and I am so excited to serve you as Director of Merchandising this year! I am from Americus, GA, and I am a senior Biology major with a minor in Medical Humanities and Culture on the pre-PA track. In the future, I hope to practice primary care in a rural, medically underserved area. Outside of AED, I do research on the shortage of primary care in Georgia, coach gymnastics, and enjoy exercising. As Director of Merchandising, I will strive to offer great AED merchandise that will encourage all our members to represent our organization to the fullest! 

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If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me at mbusman@email.sc.edu.

Pre-Med Chair: Ella Postich (She/Her)

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Hi everyone! My name is Ella Postich, and I am beyond excited to serve as AED’s first Pre-Med Chair for the 2021-2022 school year! I am originally from Simpsonville, SC, and I am a rising junior in the Honors College here at the University of South Carolina. I am currently on the Pre-Med track majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Spanish. I am also a research assistant in leukemia research on campus, a pharmacy technician at CVS Pharmacy, and will be Vice President of the Food Recovery Network this academic year. Joining AED has been the most valuable experience in my college career so far, and I now want to give back to the organization in return for what it has done for me. As Pre-Med chair, I hope to maximize the AED experience for every member by providing the best and most unique opportunities. It is my goal to make this organization a comforting and supportive environment for everyone to grow as future healthcare professionals.

If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please feel free to email me at epostich@email.sc.edu.