Andreea is a Fourth-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington. She started running in college as a way to de-stress and explore areas surrounding campus. Training for half-marathons has mirrored her path in medicine (it’s a marathon, not a sprint) and has been a memorable way to spend time with friends and family. Aside from running, Andreaa enjoys yoga, Pilates, hiking, long walks, and more recently biking. She is excited to grow into this new community by sharing a passion for physical activity and wellness.

Carolina is a second-year medical student at University of Washington School of Medicine, Spokane campus. Carolina enjoyed playing both volleyball and soccer in high school, which led her to pursue an undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. During this time, she found ways to immerse herself in novel and exhilarating experiences like marathon training and ice skating, which have led her to believe in the importance of bringing the love of exercise to those in her community. For three years, she worked as a group exercise instructor at the YMCA. She obtained her NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist two years ago after spending time working with collegiate and high school athletes in the strength room. Today, if she is not trying a new sport or lifting at the gym, you can find her writing poetry and taking care of plants. And sometimes, in a state of post-exercise happiness, Carolina will tell you that her smiles are bred out her bones.

Elmer is a Third-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine – Seattle campus. Thanks to a very active mother who brought him everywhere, Elmer has been moving outdoors or in the gym since he was born. Elmer thinks meeting the physical activity guidelines is the most important preventative medicine and thinks physicians should be leading the way. Aside medical school, Elmer continues to run a fitness and training business that supports people outside of the clinical setting. Elmer finds joy in all activities, particularly CrossFit, Backpacking, and Jiu-Jitsu.

Gabi is a second-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine – Seattle Campus. She developed a passion for long-distance running during high school, which continued to grow throughout her undergraduate years. Using 5ks and 10ks as a way to challenge herself and maintain balance amid the demands of medical school, Gabi finds purpose in running for causes she deeply cares about. She looks forward to incorporating this passion into her involvement with the UW community through MiM! Beyond her dedication to running, Gabi actively volunteers in adaptive occupational therapy and enjoys spending time with her family and two huskies.

Kat is a second-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine at the Anchorage, Alaska foundations site. Growing up in Alaska, Kat lived an active lifestyle of running, hiking, fishing, cross country skiing, and playing soccer. After high school, she attended the Air Force Academy where principles of health and fitness were practiced as a part of her training, and she really developed a passion for helping others find the benefits of staying active while moving to different bases throughout the military. Outside of studying, Kat enjoys Orangetheory workouts, half marathons, skiing, hiking with friends and family, long walks with her dog, and quality coffee.

Kelli is a 1st year medical student at the University of Washington and is completing her foundation years in Spokane. She grew up in a very active family who took her hiking, skiing, backpacking, kayaking, and cycling in all seasons of the year. She has continued to grow in her love for the outdoors and staying active by running marathons, playing lots of tennis and pickleball, and skiing whenever she gets the chance. She has also enjoyed teaching others how to have fun and be safe in the outdoors as a skiing instructor, tennis instructor, and mountain biking instructor for kids. She believes that physical activity is essential to overall health and well-being and is passionate about helping others make time to be active in their busy lives.

Moira is a Fourth-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine and she is based in Spokane, Washington. As a child, Moira played all the seasonal sports but in high school, she fell in love with long-distance running. Her high school cross-country coach fostered an incredible team environment that shaped Moira’s positive relationship towards movement. Moira continued to run competitively in college and today she enjoys training for marathons. She also likes to ski with her family, hike with her dogs, and Try New coffee shops.

Natalie is a Spokane based Third-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine. During her years as an undergraduate, she played rugby for the Seattle Saracens, and was eventually named a College All American. When a season ending injury put her on the sidelines, she redirected her energy into distance running and cross country skiing: two non-contact sports she enjoys to this day. The experience of being injury also inspired Natalie to join a concussion prevention team at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, where she discovered her passion for promoting physical and mental well-being through sport. She looks forward to integrating exercise into her future medical practice, whichever specialty she may choose. These days you can find Natalie training for marathons, praying for snow, and doing her best to learn tennis. She also coaches for Girls on the Run, which she hopes to continue throughout her journey towards physician hood.

Sonia is a Second-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine – Seattle Campus. She raced cross country and track through college, competing at a club level. After graduating college, she turned to coaching, and worked with an incredible team of high schoolers for several years. Supporting and training alongside such a fun and gritty group of athletes motivated her to complete her first sprint triathlon and marathon! She is incredibly grateful for the communities running has provided her, and she looks forward to engaging the UW community to grow through MiM. Aside from running, she finds great joy in hiking and dancing, practicing styles from country swing and line dancing to classic Bhangra.

Sophie is an E-19 MSTP student at the University of Washington School of Medicine based in Seattle, WA. She is currently a 3rd year PhD student in bioengineering doing research on kidney organoids. As an undergraduate, she walked on to the lightweight women’s rowing team and fell in love with the sport. Since coming to Seattle, Sophie has continued rowing with Pocock Rowing Club and discovered a passion for distance running. Staying active throughout medical and graduate school has been an emotional outlet on tough days, but more importantly a way to make amazing friends and see the beauty of the PNW from many different vantage points. Through MiM, Sophie looks forward to sharing time outdoors with the UWSOM community and is always up for a run ending with coffee and a breakfast sandwich.