LMSA Mentors


Medical Student Mentors:
marie Marie Flores

Marie was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, to a Colombian mother and American father, and grew up on the East Coast. She holds a BA degree in Spanish from Davidson College, and both MPH and PhD degrees in Epidemiology from UCLA. Her research interests are in reproductive health issues, including adverse birth outcomes, family planning, sexually transmitted disease, and domestic violence, especially focusing on both immigrant and U.S.-born Latino communities. In the future, Marie hopes to become a family practice physician who also conducts public health research in the area of reproductive epidemiology in medically underserved communities. Please contact her at Marie.Flores@hsc.utah.edu 
mike Mike Gee

Medical student in the MD/PhD program. He is interested in neurosurgery and research. He also teaches the MCAT prep class to LMSA pre-med members. Please contact him at jmichaelgee@gmail.com 
paula Paula Lueras

Paula is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is trilingual and interested in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. She did her undergraduate studies in biology with strong emphasis on research while in Chicago. Prior to medical school, she also obtained her MPH with concentration in Health Services, Management & Policy in Boston. Please contact her at Paula.Lueras@hsc.utah.edu 
elise Elise Mecham

I am a mother of three in my fourth year of medical school going into surgery. My interest is currently in academic medicine. I enjoy mentoring, teaching, research, outdoor activities, and spending time with my husband and children. I did my undergraduate work at Utah Valley University and received my bachelor of science degree in Biology. Please contact her at E.M.Mecham@utah.edu 
carlos Carlos Casamalhuapa

He is a non-traditional 4th year medical student born in El Salvador and raised in California. He graduated from Bakerfield College with an A.A. in Liberal Arts and later from the University of Califonia, Davis with a B.S. in Exercise Biology. He then worked in pain medicine research with the Department of Anesthesiology at the UC Davis School of Medicine. Carlos started medical school with a wife and 3 children. He is a member of the United States Navy and their Health Profession Scholarship Program. His specialty interest is in Orthopedic Surgery. You can reach him at carlosbadhouse@gmail.com 
roberto Roberto Montenegro

He is a 3rd year medical student interested in Child Psychiatry/Family Medicine and health inequalities research. Feel free to contact him at R.Montenegro@gmail.com if you have questions about either pre-med or PhD programs in medical sociology or health disparities research.
karl Karl Herman

Third-year medical student interested in Internal Medicine and Oncology. Please contact him at Karl.Herman@hsc.utah.edu .
varsha Varsha

3rd year medical student with varying interests in pediatrics, child/adult psychiatry, and internal medicine. I did my undergraduate work at Emory University and received a bachelor in science degree in Anthropology and Human Biology. I also enjoyed teaching calculus supplemental classes in college and am interested in academic medicine. I have a lot of interests outside of medical school as well! You can contact me with any questions at Varsha.iyer@hsc.utah.edu 
dulce Dulce Boucher

2nd year medical student, undecided specialty track. You can contact her at d.boucher@utah.edu. She also have a profile on the ASUU Career Advantage site. Dulces Medical Track
jose Jose Morales

Jose was born in Guatemala and grew up in California. A graduate of the University of Utah in Exercise Sports Science and becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer, he has an interest in academic medicine. Currently, he is strongly considering the fields of Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Internal Medicine for possible residency matches. In addition, he balances being a father of three along with medical school as well as making sure to stay to stay fit and have fun at all times. Please contact him at Jose.Morales@hsc.utah.edu .
georgina Georgina Amaral

I am Georgina Amaral, a first year medical student. I received my Bachelors of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Utah in 2011. My undergraduate emphasis is in working with children from birth to five with special needs (i.e. medically fragile conditions) and their families to meet developmental and academic goals. I still have some interest in child development within medical care models especially in children with chronic health conditions. Clinically, I worked in ob-gyn, gyn-onc, urogyn, and urology as a medical assistant for four years. I assisted in research for the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at UUSOM. I am currently a member of LMSA and the Reproductive Health Interest Group. Please contact her at georgina.amaral@hsc.utah.edu .
david David Hamilton

I am a first year medical student who graduated from the University of Utah with a HBS in Chemistry.  I served an LDS mission to Paraguay where I spoke Spanish for 2 years.  My medical interests include Cardiology and Emergency Medicine.  As a first year, I'm exploring many specialties and my interests will likely change. Please contact him at david.hamilton@hsc.utah.edu .
brad Brad Henriksen

I am a first year medical student from Cottonwood Heights, UT. I graduated from BYU with a B.S. in Nutritional Science in April 2011. I have been involved with various organizations helping the under-served groups in our community and plan on doing so in the future as well. I have not decided what specialty I would like to focus on, although I am considering Family Medicine and other primary care specialties. Please contact him at brad.henriksen@hsc.utah.edu .
marina Marina De Amorim

My name is Marina. I was born and raised in Brazil, where I already had the desire of becoming a physician. My dream of receiving an excellent education landed me in the United States, where I did my undergraduate education in Biology, Chemistry and French, and graduate education in Public Health. I am not 100% sure of what I want to do in the field of medicine, I am just excited to be here and be able to be an asset to the community in the future. Please contact her at marina.deamorim@hsc.utah.edu .
Physician Assistant Mentors:
raul Raul Rios

Raul is a Certified Physician Assistant and Clinical Research Coordinator. He is currently works as Physician Assistant in Orthopedic surgery and family practice/urgent care involved in all aspects of orthopedic surgical and clinical care. He is the coordinator of clinical research, including FDA trials. In addition, he is a clinical preceptor for physician assistant students, and has a special interest in teaching. Raul is originally from California. He lived in Idaho for many years, where he attended Boise State University earning his B.S. in athletic training/sports medicine. He practiced as an athletic trainer (ATC) for 4 years as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Boise Burn arena football team. He graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program, with a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS). He was honored to receive the Castle Scholarship "For outstanding clinical performance". Raul holds certifications/licenses as: American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer (ACE C-PT) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) National Athletic Trainers Board Certified Athletic Trainer (NATABOC ATC) Certified by the National Commission of Physician Assistants (PA-C) and licensed. Outside of practicing as a PA-C, ATC, Raul enjoys leading a healthy and active lifestyle, making exercise a part of his daily routine. He enjoys snowboarding, motorcycles, is a car enthusiast, enjoys watching his Lakers, Boise State Broncos, is an overall sports fan and enjoys spending as much time with friends and family as he can. Contact E-mail: raulriospacatc@gmail.com 
jeremy Jeremy Hubbard

I am a former Registered Dietitian and current Physician Assistant student.  I am originally from Texas but came to the U for school after a short stint in Phoenix where I worked as a public health nutritionist.  Along the way I've taught undergraduate nutrition courses and completed my first graduate degree in Kinesiology.  After finishing one of the top PA programs in the country in 2013, I hope to work in a primary care practice (though I have thoroughly enjoyed our cardiology class this semester) and am strongly considering the Air Force or Public Health Service.  Feel free to contact me with questions about the profession or school, and best wishes in your career pursuits at jeremyshubbard@yahoo.com .
elma Elma Estrada

First-year PA student. Non-traditional student with prior clinical experience as a registered dental hygienist and a Master in Public Health degree. Medical interests include providing care to underserved populations, Primary Care, and International Medicine. Please contact her at smilin_gator@yahoo.com .
wagma Wagma Mohmand

My name is Wagma Mohmand, and I am a Physician Assistant Student at University of Utah. I did my undergradute in Biology and Chemistry at University of Utah as well. I come from a diverse background, my ethnicity is Afghan and am an American Muslim. I have lived in Utah for 10 years and before that live in Orange County, California. I am passionate about diversity, acceptance, social justice, and humanitarian relief. I would like to practice in Primary Care, especially for the undeserved community. Please contact her at Wagmamohmand@hotmail.com .
bryan Bryan Franco

I am originally from Los Angeles but have been living in Salt Lake long enough to consider myself a Utahn. My bachelor's degree is in Athletic Training and I was lucky enough to be involved with the Utes last undefeated season! I plan on working in various fields/specialties as a PA (one of the reasons I chose PA school) including Family Practice, Pediatrics, Urgent Care and of course Orthopedics. My family immigrated from Colombia under poor conditions so I feel really lucky to be where I am and want to give back to those less fortunate.  Please contact him at bryan.franco17@gmail.com .