Conference Planning and Coordination

Dr. Ellen Cosgrove
Dean of Albany Medical College

Dr. Ellen Cosgrove is the Albany Medical College Vice Dean for Academic Administration. She oversees all academic programs and business functions of the college. She most recently served as Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, where she also was Professor of Medicine, and Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Washington School of Medicine. A primary care physician, Dr. Cosgrove completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. She obtained her medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. She was elected to Mastership in the American College of Physicians in 2018 and she is a Gold Humanism Honor Society Fellow.

Dr. Jacquelin Donovan
AMWA Faculty Advisor

Dr. Donovan is a board certified Anesthesiologist specializing in Obstetric and Regional Anesthesiology at Albany Medical Center. She is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Medicine and completed her residency and fellowship at Mount Sinai West and Morningside on Manhattan’s upper west side. Dr. Donovan is the clerkship director of the Anesthesiology elective and is the faculty advisor for both the Anesthesia Interest Group and AMWA at Albany Med. She is passionate about medical student education, mentorship for women physicians, and as a former professional dancer is interested in the how the arts shape the practice of medicine.

Padmaja Sundaram
AMWA NY/NJ Region 2 Director
​M3, Albany Medical College

Padmaja is currently a third-year medical student at Albany Medical College. She graduated from Siena College as part of its Combined Degree B.A/M.D program, with a major in Biology and minor in Psychology.  Padmaja is the current AMWA NY/NJ Region 2 Director. Her passion is to advocate for women’s equity at a management level, which stemmed from her running a café throughout college. Currently she is researching causes of readmission in elderly patients at Albany Medical Center and is helping start a private clinic focused on preventive care. She hopes to dedicate the coming year to complete an MPH, further her research, and be deeply involved in AMWA. In her free time, she loves constructing vintage outfits, knitting, and cooking.

Aishwarrya Jayapal
M2, Albany Medical College

Aishwarrya is a second-year medical student at Albany Medical College. She obtained double B.S. degrees in Physiology-Neurobiology and Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park. As an avid competitive dancer, Aishwarrya has trained in several Indian dance styles for the past 18 years. She is currently co-lead of a student organization aimed at supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Additionally, she volunteers her time cuddling critically ill newborns at the Albany Med NICU and researching pediatric respiratory intervention in a critical care setting. AMWA holds a large place in Aishwarrya's heart as she is passionate about gender equality in medicine and advocating for systemic reform. 

Virali Shah
M2, Albany Medical College

Virali is currently a second-year medical student at Albany Medical College. She recently graduated from Union College with a B.S. in Biology and Psychology and from Clarkson University with a MBA in Healthcare Administration. As a trained artist, modern dancer, and flutist, Virali sees medicine as another form of art with its own set of tools. Along with being a co-lead for AMWA, she also a co-lead for AAPI, a cultural organization at AMC. She is currently researching gastroesophageal motility disorders and ways to improve preoperative management. Virali hopes to utilize her business skills to pursue an entrepreneurial route that intersects medicine, preventative care, women’s health, and physician wellness.

Tiffany Wang
M2, Albany Medical College

Tiffany is a second-year medical student at Albany Medical College. She obtained her B.S. degree in Biopsychology at Tufts University. She currently serves as the Underrepresented Student Alliance (USA) co-chair for AMWA and Community Outreach Chair for FGLIMed, an organization devoted to supporting low income first generation medical students.  She is also one of the Class of 2023 Honor Code Representatives. Tiffany is passionate about refugee health and advocating for underrepresented communities in medicine. In her free time, Tiffany loves to work out, knit, and watch YouTube videos! 
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Rida Merchant
M1, Albany Medical College

Rida Merchant is a first year medical student at Albany Medical College. She obtained her B.A. degree in Biology at Siena College with a minor in Philosophy of Science, Technology, and Values. She serves as the Underrepresented Student Alliance (USA) co-chair for AMWA. Passionate about tackling gender inequality in medicine and advocating for underserved populations, Rida is also an active member of the AMCRI, an organization that helps resettled refugee families navigate various systems of healthcare, public transportation, education, and more. In her free time, she loves to bake fruit tarts, paint, and chow down on chocolate covered almonds!