Executive Board
President
Michael Koo
Hi everyone, my name is Michael Koo, and I’m proud to serve as your student body president this year. I’m an MD-MBA student in my final year of the program, applying for anesthesiology in the 2025 match. I was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to Maryland near Baltimore when I was 4, spending the next 20 years of my life there before coming to Dartmouth for medical school. I majored in Biomedical Engineering and Applied Math/Statistics with a minor in Africana Studies at Johns Hopkins University, graduating in 2018. At Geisel, I served as the former treasurer for two years, as a peer tutor, and at the community vaccine clinic. I have a passion for improving healthcare systems and access, having worked at Operator (formerly Atana) during my gap years to help automate patient billing negotiations, and at Welbe Health this summer to help launch PACE centers, a value-based care program that assists high-risk seniors in society. I love cooking and worked at Ekiben in Baltimore, the best restaurant in the world. Catch me outside of school playing pickup basketball.
Vice President
Michelle Dong
Secretary
Oluchi Dele-Oni
Hi everyone! I’m Oluchi Dele-Oni, and I’m excited to be our Student Government secretary! I grew up in Nigeria, Texas, and New York City and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2017. I taught high school chemistry in Hartford, CT through Teach For America before starting medical school in 2020. My husband and I welcomed our beautiful baby girl in March 2024, and balancing motherhood and medicine has been an interesting and beautiful journey. I’m passionate about global health, and I enjoy traveling, event planning and decorating, interior designing.
Treasurer
Charles Maguire
Hello, my name is Charles Maguire, a member of the 2026 Geisel class. I grew up in Colorado, graduated from Denison University in Ohio, and earned my master’s in economics at the New School for Social Research in New York City. Before medical school, I had a two prior careers as an Investment Banker, and as a firefighter/EMT. It might be no surprise then that logistics and finance are a passion of mine! Outside of medical school, my interests lie in team sports, training my two German Shepherds, and hiking throughout the New England wilderness. I am here to help my fellow students ensure that funding requests are processed smoothly and efficiently. I urge anyone who has questions or concerns about funding to reach out to me and I will be happy to help!
Co-Chairs of Professional Development
Derek Colaizzo
Hello everyone! My name is Derek Colaizzo and I was born, raised and am very proud to be from New Jersey! I graduated from Princeton University in 2017 with a degree in History of Science, where I did my senior thesis on the history of chili pepper in western medicine. During undergrad, I walked on the varsity swim team, played saxophone in the music program, and was involved in the Big Sibs program. I decided to think about going into medicine following a shadowing program in Portugal I did prior to my senior year. Following graduation, I recorded an EP with my band, interned at a clinical research testing site, and was a beach lifeguard and bartender. Then I applied to a post bacc program at Columbia, which I completed last year. During the past year, I worked on a spinal surgery research team at the Hospital for Special Surgery and on a Chronic Kidney Disease study at the University of Pennsylvania. My interests in medicine are in orthopedics, pain management, health policy, and medical education. For hobbies, I love to play/listen to music (I play sax and guitar), cook, surf and watch sports. I am really excited to get involved with student groups and explore the surrounding nature. Looking forward to meeting you all.
Ian Lichtenstein
Co-Chairs of Academics
Helen Thomason
Hello! My name is Helen Thomason and I am excited to be joining Justin this year as a co-Chair of Academics. I grew-up outside of Chicago and graduated from Scripps College. Prior to medical school, I worked at a start-up in San Francisco, taught cello lessons, and coached water polo. During my time at Geisel, I have been involved with medical education work because I see it as a way of supporting my peers. This year, I look forward to amplifying student ideas for medical education reform. When not at the hospital, you can find me taking a walk around Lake Morey, cross-country skiing at the Green Woodlands, or sharing a meal with friends.
Justin Fong
Hello! My name is Justin, and I am excited and grateful to be serving as co-Chair of Academics with my friend and colleague, Helen. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area with my brother and sister. I went on to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis where I studied anthropology and biology. Prior to coming to Dartmouth, I was employed as a high school and middle school teacher in Hayward, California. While at GSOM, I have devoted my time to medical education, clinical work, and research efforts. Outside of the hospital, I am enjoy travel, cooking, and exploring the natural beauty of New England with friends and family. As co-Chair of Academics, I am looking forward to an exciting year of work, progress, and advocacy towards ever improving academic and educational experiences. I have loved my time here and am excited to give back during my final year. Please feel free to reach out with any academic questions or concerns.
Email: Justin.B.Fong.MED@dartmouth.edu
Co-Chairs of Community Service
Alex Walkon
Co-Chairs of Diversity and Inclusion
Oraya Vesvoranan
Hi! I’m a fourth-year student interested in vascular surgery. I was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and I grew up in Miami, FL. I graduated from the University of Miami in 2019 with a bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering. After graduation, I worked in academia for a year and then another in biotech before matriculating to medical school. I also serve as the DICE rep for the class of 2025. During my free time, I enjoy cooking and learning new recipes.
Co-Chairs of Social Life
Parker Scott
Hello everyone! My name is Parker Scott and I am currently a third year student at Geisel. I grew up in a number of different states but primarily in the midwest. I attended college in Minnesota before coming to Geisel. I enjoy spending time outdoors hiking, snowboarding, scuba diving, taking photographs, and spending time with friends. I love finding ways to build a stronger community here at Geisel and in the greater UV through social events, and I can’t wait to do just that with the best Social Life Co-Chair Paulita this year!
Paulita Lara Mejia
Co-Chairs of Wellness
Carly Ratekin
Hello, my name is Carly and I'm currently a 4th year student at Geisel. I grew up in the mountains of Colorado where exploring the outdoors was instilled as my favorite pastime. Following undergraduate graduation from the University of Colorado Boulder, I joined the Peace Corps where I worked as a Community Health Promoter in Guyana. I made my way to Dartmouth in 2020 to start med school and just finished a year away where I completed an MPH at Johns Hopkins. I'm so excited to be back in the Upper Valley and advocating for student wellbeing. Please reach out anytime to vent, share ideas, and make your needs known!
Vincent Busque
Hi, everyone! I’m Vincent (he/him), a current M3. I grew up in California, but I have loved life on the East Coast (which surprisingly includes winter). Professionally, I am leaning towards a career within internal medicine that balances teaching, mentorship, and a quest towards flourishing. Personally, I really enjoy skiing, swimming, and bringing people together over a delicious meal. As co-chairs of wellness, Carly and I aim to advocate for structural changes and organize activities that promote mental, physical, and social wellbeing.
Co-Chairs of Alumni Engagement
Diya Mathur
Hi everyone! My name is Diya Mathur, and I am an MD-MBA student in the class of 2026. I grew up in Louisville, KY and graduated from Vanderbilt University prior to attending Geisel. I have served on our Student Government for the past 3 years as a Class Representative and am excited to take on this new role with Taylor! In my free time, I enjoy dancing Bhangra, nurturing my houseplants, running, and discovering new sources of sustainable fashion.
Taylor Cooper
Hi, I’m Taylor Cooper! I grew up in a few different states, but my family and I have called Colorado home for the last 10+ years. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2019, where I studied public health and chemistry. I also played on the Penn Women’s Volleyball team, where I served as a team captain and am now a board member! Before starting at Geisel, I worked for a large renal care company as a senior strategy and operations analyst. I am a member of Geisel’s Urban Health Scholars, SNMA, and co-lead a project called Race.Culture.Obgyn! In my spare time, you can probably find me running, hiking, practicing yoga, or listening to podcasts. I am so excited to be in the role of co-chair of Student and Alumni Engagement and work with the amazing Alumni Engagement Office. I believe connections and mentorship are invaluable resources, and I hope to help students connect with alumni and help foster meaningful relationships between past, present, and future members of the Dartmouth and Geisel community!