Medical Student Leadership
4 Executive Board Members
9 Committee Chairs
26 Committee Members

Diversity Committee

Arlette Villalobos

Arlette Villalobos was raised in Mexico and later immigrated to the United States. She earned her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of Texas at El Paso. She worked for more than seven years as a critical care nurse, where caring for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions sparked her interest in cardiovascular medicine and surgery. During this time, she also served as a clinical research coordinator, contributing to several research studies and developing an appreciation for research and its role in improving patient care.

She is currently a medical student at Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico. During medical school, she participated in the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute Summer Research Program, where she gained experience in cardiothoracic surgery research and further exposure to the field. Arlette is passionate about diversity, advocacy, and health equity.

As the Diversity Co-Chair of the TSMA, she hopes to contribute to efforts that support students from different backgrounds as they explore cardiothoracic surgery. Outside of medicine, Arlette enjoys weightlifting, horseback riding, and spending time with her dogs, family, and friends.

Giulia Palaia

Giulia Palaia is a second-year medical student at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Originally from Brazil, she immigrated to the U.S. at age seven and earned her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Santa Clara University in California. She currently serves as President of her school’s Surgery Club and Director of Medical Missions for the Students for Medical Missions club, driven by a deep passion for serving minority and underserved populations. Giulia is interested in pursuing cardiothoracic surgery, with research interests in aortic valve interventions, clinical outcomes, and health disparities.

Outside of medicine, she enjoys reading, cooking, building miniature models, and spending time with friends and family. She is thrilled to join the TSMA Diversity Committee and looks forward to expanding mentorship and pipeline opportunities for underrepresented students in CT surgery.

MICAH JOHNSON

Micah Johnson is a second-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSU CHM). Before medical school, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Health and Societies with a Public Health Concentration from the University of Pennsylvania. Her academic interests center on the drivers of cardiovascular health disparities and the ways health policy and financing influence access to services and outcomes. She is also interested in how health technology and systems-level interventions can improve the delivery and effectiveness of cardiovascular medicine.

At MSU CHM, Micah is a candidate for the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved program, serves as Director of Research for the Students Addressing the Firearm Epidemic Club, and mentors youth and undergraduate students. Being from the Flint area of Michigan, her commitment to diversity and equity is grounded in personal experience and a desire to understand and address the systems that shape health and opportunity in communities like her own. Through TSMA’s Diversity Committee, she hopes to promote mentorship, representation, and inclusion while helping create pathways for students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine and surgery.

Outside of medicine, Micah enjoys playing basketball, spending time with her dog, traveling, reading, and writing.

Victor Akinyemi

Victor Akinyemi is a second-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Prior to medical school, he earned his Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Iowa and completed his undergraduate education at Western Illinois University, where he was a Division I football student-athlete. His interests in cardiovascular medicine, surgery, and health disparities have shaped his research and professional goals. During medical school, Victor has pursued research across cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular medicine, and medical education while gaining clinical exposure to surgical specialties.

He currently serves as President of his local Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter and Parliamentarian for SNMA Region V, where he is committed to mentorship, service, and advancing opportunities for medical students. Victor aspires to become an academic cardiothoracic surgeon and hopes to combine surgery, research, education, and advocacy throughout his career. Through TSMA, he hopes to expand mentorship and exposure to cardiothoracic surgery while supporting students interested in the field.

Outside of medicine, Victor enjoys playing the piano, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.

Sasha Torres

Sasha is a third-year medical student at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, NE. Originally from Pasadena, CA, she attended the University of Southern California where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Global Health and became passionate about working towards eliminating healthcare disparities among marginalized groups by understanding the many unique social determinants of health that exist in underserved patient populations.

At her institution, she currently serves as the Vice President of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Interest Group, Secretary of the Latino Medical Student Association, and Health Fair Coordinator for the Magis Clinic which is the first free medical clinic in Omaha that treats homeless men, women, children and the medically uninsured. She also served as Logistics co-lead for Creighton’s Mini Medical School Program, organizing an event offering local high school students from underrepresented groups in her community the opportunity to learn more about medical education and careers. After spending a summer with the incredible Cardiothoracic Surgery team at Children’s Nebraska, she is interested in pursuing a career in CT Surgery, with a special interest in congenital cardiac surgery.

As a Hispanic, first-generation medical student, she is extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the TSMA Diversity Committee. In this role, she strives to support and champion all students, including minority and underrepresented students interested in pursuing a career in CT surgery through planning meaningful events for members, educational opportunities, and social media campaigns to help spread TSMA's diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.