AMSSM SMRC

First in-person resident social at the AMSSM Annual Meeting… and you all showed up ✨

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us in Seattle for this milestone event. With over 100 residents coming together to connect, network, and simply enjoy being in the same space, this was more than a social. It was a meaningful first step toward building the stronger resident community we’ve all been asking for.

Community is one of our top priorities this year, and this event was just the beginning. Your feedback, including responses to our resident survey, continues to shape the work we do. We hear you, and we’re committed to creating opportunities that reflect what matters most to you.

Thank you for making this such a success. We’re truly honored to serve this community and can’t wait to keep building together 💫

Tag someone you connected with that night 🤝

Meet Nishma Shah, your 2026 SMRC Pediatric Representative!
• I’m a PGY-2 at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM)
• Why I’m excited to serve: I’m passionate about showing that sports medicine is possible through pediatrics and helping young athletes build healthy, injury-preventing habits
• Fun fact: I love exploring NYC on foot and often walk 10+ miles on my days off

Meet Tim Nyangacha, your 2026 SMRC Family Medicine Representative!
• I’m a PGY-2 at the North Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program in Minnesota
• Why I’m excited to serve: I’m excited to build community and highlight mentorship opportunities for residents interested in sports medicine
• Fun fact: I love cooking Southeast Asian and Italian food

Meet Akash Patel, your 2026 SMRC Internal Medicine Representative!
• I’m a PGY-1 at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Internal Medicine Residency
• Why I’m excited to serve: I’m passionate about advancing sports medicine education and building mentorship opportunities for residents interested in the field
• Fun fact: I’m a wicketkeeper on a cricket team and love staying involved in competitive sports

Meet Lauren Hopper, your 2026 SMRC Emergency Medicine Representative!
• I’m a PGY-2 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Why I’m excited to serve: I’m excited to connect residents interested in sports medicine and help build a supportive community
• Fun fact: I enjoy hiking and running with my dog

Meet Melissa Sun, your 2026 SMRC Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Representative!
• I’m a PGY-3 at Penn State
• Why I’m excited to serve: I’m excited to advocate for PM&R within sports medicine and help build a supportive community
• Fun fact: I’m a former soccer player, plant enthusiast, and love hiking

Meet Ashley Best, your 2026 SMRC Communications Representative!
• I’m a PGY-2 at the University of Iowa in the Department of Family and Community Medicine
• Why I’m excited to serve: I’m excited to highlight opportunities within SMRC and AMSSM and help residents gain exposure to sports medicine
• Fun fact: I’m a triplet and played collegiate softball, and I coached high school softball prior to residency

Meet Maria Bianchi, your 2026 SMRC President!
• I’m a PGY-3 at the University of Iowa and incoming Sports Medicine Fellow at Zucker SOM Northwell Plainview
• Why I’m excited to serve: I’m excited to give back and create more accessible pathways into sports medicine while strengthening community among resident members
• Fun fact: I’m from Caracas, Venezuela, grew up loving soccer, and enjoy spending time with my cat

AMSSM Resident Members: Join Us Tonight at 8:00pm ET for AMSSM MSIG Webinar: Presentation by 2025 Recipients of the Agostini Med School Community Outreach Grant & Encouraging Med Students to Apply for the Grant by Mar. 26 (end-of-day). Each Recipient Developed/Coordinated a Program/Event to Encourage Underserved Youth in Their Communities to Consider Sports Medicine as Their Future Career.

AMSSM Resident Members: Join Us Tomorrow (Tues., Dec. 9) at 8:00pm ET for MSIG Webinar: Intro to Orthobiologics – PRP, Stem Cells & Advanced Ultrasound-Guided Procedures featuring presentation by Dr. Taylor North & Kirra Borrello, BS (MSIG President) serving as Moderator.