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Who We Are
The #PedsMatch2026 team is comprised of a group of dedicated future pediatricians from around the world. Learn more about them below.
CO-DIRECTORS
Co-Director
Mahima Goel
Mahima is a rising M4 at Carle Illinois College of Medicine and is interested in research, innovation, and advocacy around all things related to pediatrics! The opportunity to work with children and their families, particularly providing longitudinal care to vulnerable populations such as children with disabilities or oncological diseases, brings a sense of purpose to me unlike anything else in medicine. When I am not at the hospital, I love to bake, do Origami, or catch up on anything related to Formula One!
Co-Director
Morgan Chadwick
Morgan is a 4th year medical student at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. Despite a late switch into medicine during college, Morgan has always had a passion for working to improve the lives of children. She is excited to be a Co-Director for FuturePedsRes in order to facilitate growth and interest in the field of pediatrics. She hopes to become a general pediatrician in the future. In her free time, Morgan enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with family and friends!
ASSOCIATE REGIONAL LEADS
Associate Regional Lead
Danika Duffalo​​
Hi! My name is Danika Duffalo and I am a current M2 (almost an M3!) Creighton University School of Medicine at Phoenix. I am so excited to meet and work with everyone!
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Associate Regional Lead, Director of Social Media
Sara Dhaka​​
Hello my name is Sara Dhuka and I attend the Texas Collage of Osteopathic Medicine (OMS-II)! My hometown is Houston, TX and am currently residing in Fort Worth, TX. For fun I love hiking, trying new foods, doing at-home Zumba, and watching crime shows (currently the Rookie and Bones). I am really passionate about pediatrics and look forward to working with you all!
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Associate Regional Lead
Maria Belen​​
I am an IMG from Guayaquil, Ecuador who aspires to be a physician scientist! I love pediatric traumatic brain injury, particularly outcomes related translational research. I love also to paint, knit, bike riding and making flower arrangements for my mom's flower shop.
GENERAL WEBINAR LEADS
General Webinar Lead
Bhanu Wahi-Singh​​
Bhanu is a final year medical student studying at the University of Edinburgh. Academically inclined, Bhanu has previously worked on epidemiological and clinical research, co-authoring a 2024 meta-analysis on RSV in preterm infants which was published in The Lancet. Bhanu is also passionate about education and health for young people and cofounded Diverse Unified Real Global Action - a 501c NGO which has executed numerous service projects and has funded hundreds of scholarships for children in rural India since 2016.
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General Webinar Lead
Jessica Richman​​
I'm a rising MS4 and am so excited to be applying Pediatrics for the 2026 Match! I'm passionate about community engagement, improving health literacy, and mentoring younger students. In my free time, I love running, doing Pilates, seeing Broadway shows, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
COLLABORATION SPECIALIST
APPD & COMSEP RESEARCHER
APPD and COMSEP Researcher
Jorna Sojati
​I'm an MD/PhD student and rising MS4 at the University of Pittsburgh who is passionate about pediatric care, clinical research, and improving treatment of childhood diseases! As an aspiring pediatrician-scientist, I am so excited to work with FPR to utilize research as a way to improve communication between pediatric residency leadership and future applicants. Outside of clinical duties, I enjoy hiking (PGH has great local parks!), baking, exploring new restaurants, cuddling with my cat, and (we'll see if it sticks) currently starting a garden in my backyard!
SOCIAL MEDIA
Director of Social Media
Urvi Sakhuja
I'm currently a second year student at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas! As of right now, I'm most interested in general pediatrics, but am excited to explore some subspecialties such as pediatric cardiology, psychiatry, and endocrinology. I grew up in Houston and went to the University of Houston for undergrad. I also taught English abroad for a year through the Fulbright program. I love playing the piano, crocheting, film photography, solo traveling, and making coffee for my friends and family. :)
GRAPHIC DESIGN & WEBSITE PLANNING
Associate Director of Graphic Design
Sarisha Menon
Hi! My name is Sarisha, I'm a third-year medical student at the Medical University of South Carolina. I love living here in Charleston and spending my free time at the beach whenever possible. I also enjoy traveling, hiking, baking, crocheting and spending time with my cats!
Associate Director of Graphic Design
Karla Francisco, MD​
Karla Francisco is currently in dedicated for Step 1. She graduated medical school at Instituto Tecnologico of Santo Domingo (INTEC) in Dominican Republic. Aspiring pediatrics resident, described as diligent and selflessly caring for human needs. Particularly known for being extra detail-oriented and performing tasks with love and dedication.
