We stand out
Meet the CoAMS Committee
Our Team
Analyssa Cardenas
Co-Chair
Analyssa Cardenas (she/her) is a third-year medical student at Dalhousie University. She has a BSc in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo and a MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Toronto. Originally from Ottawa, she moved to Halifax for medical school and has been enjoying her time in Nova Scotia! She's most excited to meet other medical students from Atlantic provinces and showcase everything Dalhousie Medicine and Halifax has to offer.
Luke Duignan
Co-Chair
Luke Duignan (he/him) is a second-year medical student at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. Luke is originally from New Zealand, but these days has been claiming Halifax as home (though he is still getting used to the winters). Luke is looking forward to welcoming everyone to Halifax, and is excited for everyone to experience the results of months of hard work by everyone on this committee. Luke is looking forward to seeing the turnout at CoAMS in April!
Jemeela Thomas
Director of Communications and Director of Marketing
Jemeela Thomas (she/her) is a third-year medical student at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. Previously, she earned an honours BSc in Biomedical Science from Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University. Originally from Toronto, Jemeela moved to Halifax for medical school and is now claiming Nova Scotia as a new home. At CoAMS, Jemeela is looking forward to engaging with medical students from across the Maritimes.
Nikki Shahin
Finance Director
Nikki Shahin (she/her) is a third-year medical student at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. She has a BSc in Medical Sciences from Dalhousie University. Nikki is originally from Iran, though she has lived in Halifax since childhood, so she now describes herself as a ‘Haligonian’ as the locals say! On her time off you can find her chasing Harry Styles around the world. This year at CoAMS, Nikki is excited to network and meet students from across the Maritimes in just a few months!
Rachel Dorey
Speaker director
Rachel Dorey is a third-year medical student at Dalhousie and one of the Speaker Directors for COAMS. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rachel completed her BSc in Nursing at Dalhousie and worked in care areas including cardiac surgery, mental health, and Covid immunization clinics. Rachel is thrilled about COAMS 2024 as it offers a unique chance to learn from impactful speakers on crucial topics like mental resilience. Looking forward to connecting with students from across the Maritimes!
Nicole Lopez
Logistics Director
Nicole Lopez (she/her) is a third-year medical student at Dalhousie University. She grew up on the ocean in Hubbards, NS. After earning her honours BSc in Psychology from Mount Allison University in 2015, she moved abroad and lived in Central America for several years before returning home to start medical school. She is most likely to be found cuddling her cat, or exploring Nova Scotia's coastline. At CoAMS, Nicole is looking forward to learning from and making connections with colleagues from across the Maritimes.
Chloe Blackman
Academic Director
Chloé Blackman (she/her) is a third-year medical student at Dalhousie University. Originally from Calgary, she moved to Halifax to pursue her BSc in Neuroscience & Biology and her MSc in Community Health and Epidemiology from Dalhousie University. Chloé has loved studying and working in Nova Scotia and is excited to showcase this fantastic province and school to other medical students.
Jill Lamb
Skills Director
Jill Lamb (she/her) is a third-year medical student at the DMNS camps originally from the Annapolis Valley. She is excited to bring students from across Atlantic Canada together to collaborate and learn from each other throughout the weekend. When not in school you can find her running around Halifax, traveling, or spending a cozy afternoon in one of the many cute coffee shops in the city!
JD Brown
Academic Director
JD Brown (he/him) is a third-year medical student at Dalhousie University. He was born in St. John's NFLD, raised in Cole Harbour, NS, and spent most of his summers growing up in Port Hood, Cape Breton, swimming and having fun at the beautiful beach. JD is excited to make friends with medical students from other schools and to see their amazing research presentations at CoAMS 2024.
Gaurav Arora
Sponsorship Director
Gaurav Arora (he/him) is a third-year medical student at the Dalhousie Medicine Nova Scotia campus and currently serves as the Atlantic Regional Director at the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS). Hailing from Amherst, Nova Scotia, Gaurav is deeply passionate about medical education, equity, diversity, inclusion, and the intersections of health and economic policy. Gaurav looks forward to meeting and connecting with students from across the region, facilitating an environment of collaboration and mutual growth.
Dara Liu
Logistics Director
Role description: The Logistics Director will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and monitoring conference progress. Role will include organizing conference venue, acquiring media equipment, and other supplies needed to host CoAMS. They will work closely with the Co-Chairs to ensure conference operations run smoothly.
Sherry Eskander
Skills Director
Role description: The Skills Representative will organize and coordinate several skills sessions to be held at the conference. They will be responsible for planning what skills will be showcased and contacting physicians to facilitate the sessions.
Madeline Crawford
Delegates Director
Role description: The delegate director will work closely with the CoAMS planning committee on identifying the decorations, delegate packages, and social events to complement the conference theme and empower delegates to participate, network and socialize with their Atlantic peers.
Nick Dawe
Speaker Director
Role description: Speaker Directors will be tasked with identifying and securing speakers that coincide with the CoAMS 2024 theme. Directors will be asked to brainstorm and secure invigorating clinical, academic, and student speakers to carry the theme and educate delegates throughout the weekend.
Alexandra McNeil
Academic Director
Role description: The academic rep will oversee the development of the poster presentation and research component of CoAMS 2024. Responsibilities include identification of a clinical/academic senior physician or researcher to collaborate with, creation of the abstract submission process and relevant deadlines, and working with the other CoAMS directors in determining the logistics of the poster presentation night.