Hello! My name is Olivia Bouchard, and I am one of the Student Coordinators for the Dublin Learning Community. I鈥檓 from Cincinnati Ohio and studied biology at The Ohio State University. Before medical school, I took one gap year and worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Nationwide Children鈥檚 Hospital.
Throughout my first year of medical school, I was a member of the Pediatrics Club, volunteered at a local food pantry, and played on OUHCOM鈥檚 soccer and volleyball teams (Go MedCats and Beta Blockers!) Outside of medical school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, working out, traveling, and cooking/ baking.
Starting medical school is an exciting and stressful time. This is a huge transitional period, and it can take some trial and error to figure out how to be successful. I am more than happy to help with this transition and to give advice on study strategies, resources, and tips to achieve a great work-life balance. Please reach out if you need anything. I look forward to meeting you all!
Dublin Academic Peer Support Leaders
MEET YOUR Dublin APSL TEAM
Academic Peer Support Leaders are second-year student leaders who have been selected for their academic excellence, leadership qualities, and for their enthusiastic, altruistic spirits for providing academic support to OU-HCOM students. You can book individual one-to-one tutoring with an APSL in one-hour increments as needed. See the Bookings Calendar linked to each APSL鈥檚 profile below to make an appointment. Once you have made an appointment, the APSL will communicate with you via email regarding your academic needs and concerns. APSLs also lead weekly Learning Communities every Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:30pm via Microsoft Teams. In these Learning Communities, APSLs review weekly session guide content, answer questions, and share resources. Make it a habit, early on, to
participate, or at least be consistently present for these Wednesday night review sessions. Even if you don鈥檛 feel prepared to participate, you will learn so much and save yourself some individual study time by just listening to what others share about the weekly content.
APSLs, who are also the Learning Community session members, excel with the following:
鈥 Meeting individually with students to review content
鈥 Assisting students, individually or in small groups with application of concepts to
solidify their understanding
鈥 Incorporating practices to support the active learning process
鈥 Working closely with the Learning Specialists
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
Come see us! Students are encouraged to schedule an in-office or virtual meeting with the Assistant Directors of Learning Services (Learning Specialists) as a first step in determining what academic options and/or customized resources best fit your individualized needs. Students may schedule a meeting with us through Bookings. Please be certain to state your need/concern when requesting a meeting.
EXAMPLE CONCERNS OR NEEDS ARE. . .
鈥 How can I adjust my learning preferences/use of resources to best meet my needs
for self-directed learning?
鈥 I could use some help organizing my time to better address the session guide in
order to cover all the topics each week.
鈥 I am struggling with a specific organ system or topic and would like some help
from an Academic Peer Support Leader.
鈥 How can I better prepare for content exams?
鈥 What are strategies to deal with test anxiety?
鈥 I am having trouble memorizing details. What are good memory/active recall
strategies?
鈥 When and how should I begin thinking about board prep study and resources?
鈥 How do I balance coursework and my own wellness?
鈥 How do I get help with other issues, questions, or concerns that come up during
my first four years of med school?
Dublin Student Coordinators
Hello! My name is Molly Thompson, and I am one of the Student Coordinators for the Dublin campus. I am originally from Zanesville, Ohio, and I graduated from Xavier University with a major in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Peace and Justice Studies. Outside of school I enjoy reading, hanging out with my three cats, cooking, and spending time with my friends and family!
The transition into medical school can initially seem overwhelming, but the APSLs are here to support you all! We are happy to help you all in any way that we can, whether that is sharing resources that we have found helpful, tips for test preparation, or how to balance time between life and school! Please feel free to reach out, and welcome to OU-HCOM!
Here's the Team!
Hello! My name is Diana Barber, and I am one of the APSLs for the Dublin Learning Community. I am from Westerville, Ohio and graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a minor in Psychology and a Master鈥檚 degree in Community Health, Health Disparities. Since starting medical school, I have gotten involved in Psychology/Neurology Club, Christian Medical & Dental Association, Student American Academy of Osteopathy, and Medical Mentors Club. I am also the 2027 Class President, so please come ask questions or feel free to talk with me whenever! Outside of school, I enjoy working out, organizing, taking long walks, and spending time with family and friends.
The transition into medical school is unlike anything you have ever experienced, both challenging and fun! My goal as an APSL is to facilitate this change in your life and support you along the way. I would love to help you find what works best for you, as there is no one 鈥渞ight way鈥 to succeed in school. Welcome to OU-HCOM!
Hello, my name is Trina Boley. I am excited to be one of the APSLs for the Dublin Campus. I am from Frazeysburg, Ohio, and I attended the Ohio State University for my undergraduate degree in chemistry with a minor in Spanish. I am involved in a few organizations on campus, including the Student Osteopathic Medical Association, Family Medicine Club, and Pediatrics Club. Outside of school, I love to read, spend time with friends and family, and be outdoors as much as possible.
Medical school can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone! From general advice on work-life balance to individual or group tutoring to identifying helpful resources, I am happy to help you in any way possible. I am so excited to meet all of you. Welcome to the OU-HCOM family! We are all cheering you on and hope for nothing but your success in your first year.
Hi everyone. My name is Max Fulop, and I am one of the APSLs on the Dublin campus this year. I am from Dublin, OH, and graduated from THE Ohio State University with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, playing sports like golf, soccer, and volleyball, and cheering on the Buckeyes.
As an APSL, I hope to be able to use my prior experience as a tutor to help develop personalized study plans and schedules that meet your individual needs. I want to be able to get to know and understand each one of your study habits and strengths, and find a method that works for you. The adjustment to medical school can be difficult, so my goal is to be able to support you in any way that I can. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and I look forward to meeting everyone!
Hello and welcome to the OU-HCOM family! My name is Layken Imundo and I am thrilled to be one of your APSL鈥檚 for the 2024-2025 academic year. I am originally from Dayton, Ohio (Centerville), but have called Columbus my home for the past 8 years. I graduated from Otterbein University in 2020 with a BS in
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I then spent 3 gap years working as a pharmacy technician, medical assistant, private tutor, and barista. During my time at HCOM I have gotten involved in the Clinical Anatomy and Pathology and Emergency Medicine clubs, and currently serve as the treasurer of the OB/GYN club. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with friends and family, doing yoga, skydiving, traveling, and any outdoor activity you can imagine!
As you transition into medical school and begin this amazing journey, please reach out with any questions. This process is likely different from anything you have encountered before, so keep an open mind and make the most of it. Congratulations future doctors!
Hi! My name is Kyle Koenig and I am from Cleveland, OH. I graduated from The Ohio State University in 2021 with a degree in Biology. In my gap year, I worked as a scribe and medical assistant at a podiatry clinic. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing video games, lifting weights, watching sports, and going out with friends.
Congratulations on being accepted to OU-HCOM! Medical school is going to be challenging, but there is a reason you got accepted. Believe in yourself and know that you are not alone in this. We are here to help you as you begin your journey. I cannot wait to meet you all!
Hello! I鈥檓 Nicholas Kudlapur 鈽, from Logan (Hocking Hills region) and an Ohio State graduate, where I studied neuroscience and worked for Video Services with the Athletic Department. I graduated happy and lived a planned and spontaneous gap year that included camp counseling for LIFEsports at OSU, au pairing in Spain, volunteering in Poland, substitute teaching, and tennis coaching. Other things I love鈥搄azz, cornhole, cats, watching football, and hiking (from the hills, so ofc!). Since starting medical school, some of the things I鈥檝e gotten involved with include Cl铆nica Latina, lifestyle medicine club, and organizing our soccer team!
Very excited to meet all of you! I definitely haven鈥檛 mastered time management, but if you want study or schedule tips, I can share things that鈥檝e worked for me. Or a tennis partner or game of ping pong, you got it.
Hello! My name is Catherine Maas, and I am one of the APSLs on the Dublin Campus. I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and attended John Carroll University, graduating in 2023 with a B.S. in Biology. At John Carroll University, I was a Teaching Assistant for the General Chemistry Laboratory which strengthened my interest in teaching. When I am not busy studying, I enjoy spending time with friends, watching movies, and being active.
The transition to medical school can feel extremely overwhelming at first, but we are all here to help make the transition as smooth as possible. I am looking forward to working with you and am happy to help you with study methods, work-life balance, and any other advice you may seek. We are all here to support you.
Hi everyone! My name is Franny Mineo, and I am one of your Dublin APSLs this year. I am from Streetsboro, Ohio and graduated from John Carroll University with a degree in Biology. I鈥檓 currently the president of the Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology Club and an active member of the family medicine, lifestyle medicine, and humanism in medicine clubs. Outside of school I love to bake, take walks, workout, hang out with friends, and sleep.
Congrats and welcome to HCOM! Your first few weeks will definitely be overwhelming but there are so many resources and peers that will help. I鈥檓 here for any studying advice, tips, and tricks or if you just need to talk/rant! Never hesitate to reach out. Can鈥檛 wait to meet you all, welcome to the family :)
Hello! My name is Grace Parizek, and I am one of the APSLs on the Dublin campus. I am from Johnstown, OH and I majored in Biochemistry at High Point University in High Point, NC. Since starting medical school, I have become involved in the My Project USA Hilltop Free Clinic, the Columbus Free Clinic, and I
am the Student Government Director of Community Outreach. I recently spent my summer doing research with the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at Nationwide Children鈥檚 Hospital. In my free time, I love to read, play pickleball, bake sweet treats, and spend time with friends and family! Congratulations on making it to medical school, and I cannot wait to be working with you as an APSL! The first year of medical school is a big adjustment, but there are so many great resources on campus to help you succeed. In addition to helping you find the most efficient study methods, I am also available to help set a study schedule, organize your study materials, and help create better work-life balance.
Hello! My name is Abdulrahman Salah, and I am one of the APSLs (Academic Peer Support Leaders) for the Dublin Learning Community this year. I was born in Somalia and spent part of my childhood in Yemen, before settling along with my family in Columbus, Ohio. I graduated from the Ohio State University with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Medical Laboratory Science and worked as a Microbiologist for four years before applying to Medical School. I love nature and outdoor activities such as hiking and running, and I have an interest in reading and learning about history.
I am excited to help you navigate the challenges of adjusting to medical school. As someone who had to learn how to be a good student, I discovered that there are many more factors that affect academic performance beyond intelligence. I would love to help you find the study plan that best suits your unique strengths or help optimize your current one. I can also offer advice on managing your time, prioritizing your many responsibilities, and creating a decent work life balance. I look forward to meeting you!
Hello, my name is Raja Sharma, and I am one of the APSL tutors for the Dublin Campus. I was born in Nepal but moved to Ohio when I was 10 years old. I attended John Carroll University for my undergraduate studies, majoring in Cell & Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Since starting med school, I鈥檝e developed an interest in Emergency Medicine and am involved in the EM Club at OU-HCOM. Aside from school, I love to play soccer, travel, and workout.
The transition into medical school can initially seem like a stressful time, all the APSLs are here to make your transition to medical school a smooth one. We are happy to help you all in any way that we can, whether it鈥檚 helping you to construct a study schedule or to help you decipher a difficult concept, we are here to help. Welcome to the Dublin campus and I hope to see you around!
Hello! My name is Mohamed Shekmohamed, and I am one of the APSL tutors for the Dublin campus. I was born in Mogadishu, Somalia but spent most of my life in Columbus, OH, for college I attended Ohio State University where I majored in psychology and respiratory therapy. Aside from school, I enjoy playing basketball, reading non-medical books preferably the classics of philosophy.
The transition into medical school can initially seem like a stressful time, all the APSLs are here to make your transition to medical school a smooth one. We are happy to help you all in any way that we can, whether it鈥檚 helping you to construct a study schedule or to help you decipher a difficult concept we are here to help. Welcome to the Dublin campus and I hope to see you around!
Hello! My name is Ellie Tighe and I am an APSL in Dublin! I am originally from Hilliard, Ohio, and attended undergrad at the University of Dayton where I studied biology with minors in psychology and neuroscience. During my undergraduate, I also ran cross country and track for Dayton, as well as participated in research in the NICU at Texas Children鈥檚 Hospital. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, running, cooking, and spending as much time with my friends, family, and dogs as possible!
The transition to medical school can be extremely overwhelming but you wouldn鈥檛 be here if you weren鈥檛 prepared to handle it. As an APSL, I look forward to supporting you through that journey in any way I can. I am happy to help with content, study strategies, time management, work-life balance, or anything else
you may feel you need additional support with. Welcome to OUHCOM!
Hello! My name is Alicia Weadock, and I鈥檓 an APSL for the Dublin Learning Community. I am from a small town (New Knoxville, Ohio), and a fun fact is I grew up showing hogs at the county fair. I graduated from 91探花 with a nutrition major and biology minor. During undergrad, I worked as a nurse鈥檚 aide at a long-term care facility, was a chemistry tutor and RA for the university, and also waitressed. Currently, I am in RUSP, enjoy volunteering offcampus, and hold leadership roles within several student organizations here at OU-HCOM. Outside of school, I like to workout, cook and bake, and spend time with my family, friends, and fianc茅.
Starting medical school can be a difficult time, but I am happy to help as much as I can! There are so many different resources out there, but I would love to help you find the resources and study strategies that work best for you. My goal is to encourage you to find the most effective and high-yield study strategies to help you be a successful student without compromising your student well-being. Balance is everything!
Hi! My name is Avery Weisman, and I am one of your APSL tutors on the Dublin campus. Originally from Bexley, OH, I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Florida, majoring in biology with a minor in public health鈥擥o Gators! During my senior year, I served as a research assistant and health liaison for the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Department at UF Shand鈥檚 Hospital. Currently, I hold roles as vice-president of the Internal Medicine Club, OMM Honors TA, and am active in the Family Medicine and OBGYN Clubs. I'm also engaged in research at Nationwide Children鈥檚 Hospital and volunteer at the Columbus Free Clinic. Outside of academics, I enjoy baking gluten-free recipes, attending Pure Barre classes, playing pickleball, lounging by the pool, and spending time with my friends, family, boyfriend, and my nearly 16-year-old dog, Bear!
Transitioning to medical school can be a significant adjustment, but with good planning and support from loved ones, it's entirely manageable. APSLs like myself are here to support you in any way we can! As a visual learner, I'm happy to clarify concepts, review challenging material, assist with time management,
and help you create effective study schedules. Please don't hesitate to reach out鈥擨'm here to help you succeed!
Hello! My name is Conor Wood, and I will be one of the APSL on the Dublin campus this year. I am from Dayton, Ohio, and I graduated from the University of Dayton with a degree in Exercise Science. After graduation, I worked as a medical scribe in multiple different specialties for a few years. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exercising, traveling, and reading. Transitioning into your first year of medical school can be a difficult adjustment, but I hope as an APSL to make it easier for you all. I can help with difficult content and share some study habits and methods I find particularly helpful. Not only am I here to help with content, but I can also help plan and set up a study schedule. I am looking forward to supporting you all during your first year of medical school. Please feel free to introduce yourself on campus, and I look forward to meeting you all.
Hello! My name is Jacob Woodruff, and I am one of the Dublin APSLs. I鈥檓 originally from Lancaster, Ohio, which is just a little bit outside Columbus. I completed my bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Cincinnati before attending OU-HCOM. Outside of being an APSL, I am also currently the President of the Internal Medicine Club as well as the COSGP Global Health Liaison for HCOM Dublin. I like to volunteer during the week at places like Riverside鈥檚 Food is Health Program and the Columbus Free Clinic. Outside of school, I love to play intramural soccer with our HCOM team, play some pickleball, and spend a lot of time with my friends and family.
Seeing the time and effort our APSL鈥檚 put in for us, I knew early on that I wanted to do the same. The first year of medical school will be a new challenge, but we鈥檙e all here to help you adjust and excel at OUHCOM. I鈥檓 more than happy to divulge what worked or works for me at HCOM, share resources that I often used to coincide with HCOM鈥檚 material, help you utilize common study tools like Anki, or anything else you need. Excited to meet you all!
Hi! My name is Melina Woods, and I am one of the Dublin APSLs this year. I am from Ada, Ohio and attended Ohio Northern University for undergrad where I majored in biology and minored in chemistry and psychology. I also played volleyball and worked at the on-campus preschool during my time at ONU. Since starting medical school, I have been involved in the Pediatrics Club, Humanism in Medicine, Baby Bag Project, and volunteering at Food is Health. Outside of school, I enjoy playing volleyball and pickleball, reading, painting, and baking as well as spending time with friends and family.
The first year of medical school can be overwhelming and nerve-wracking, but we鈥檙e here to help you in any way we can! I can help with anything from study content and test-taking skills to general advice and school/life balance. Don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out with any questions/concerns. I can鈥檛 wait to meet everyone:)
Hello and welcome to the OU-HCOM family! My name is Aubrey Wrona and I am one of the APSLs for the Dublin Campus. I am a local from Gahanna, Ohio and graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania 2022. In addition to playing college volleyball, I studied biology with a psychology minor. I am the current anesthesia chair for the Surgery and Sports Medicine club and a member of the MedMentors club. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, hiking, traveling, and occasionally playing pickle ball.
The transition to medical school can be daunting, but you can overcome it with the right resources and support. I found it important to stay organized and motivated throughout the semester to help with the learning process. All of you are here for a reason and it is important to remember that! I am excited to
help you in any way possible- from giving you guidance on study methods to helping clarify difficult topics. Please feel free to reach out to any of us APSLs throughout your 1st year! I look forward to meeting you all!
Questions?
Additional questions or concerns please reach out to your campus Assistant Directors of Learning Services for any and all help!