Nathaniel Sands, MPH

Last May at the SAEM Annual Meeting, I presented research on the utilization of residents and fellows in the use of transesophageal echocardiography in settings of critical illness. It was my first time presenting at a major conference, and my nerves were undeniable—until I looked over and saw another medical student appearing equally anxious. In that moment, we both realized that we belonged there. That simple exchange captures what I value most about SAEM and RAMS: it brings us together to learn, grow, and support one another.

My name is Nathaniel Sands, and I am a third-year medical student at California Northstate University. Before medical school, I earned my MPH in Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology from UC Berkeley and served as a Clinical Research Coordinator in Emergency Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where I managed the Resuscitative TEE Collaborative Registry. My experiences in academic research, public health, and SAEM have shown me how transformative collaboration and mentorship can be for trainees.

If elected to the RAMS Board, I aim to strengthen connections and ensure that every member feels included and recognized. By collecting RAMS membership data and initiating prospective surveys, I hope to reexamine what motivates our members to join and remain engaged, enabling us to communicate more effectively and design opportunities that reflect our shared goals. I want to enhance the accessibility and reach of RAMS sponsored events, expand mentorship opportunities between medical students, residents, fellows, and attendings, and develop more consistent, transparent messaging that highlights the value of RAMS as an essential part of the SAEM and the future of EM.

In alignment with the RAMS Strategic Plan, my priorities will focus on engagement, mentorship, and professional development—helping to foster the next generation of emergency medicine leaders. I believe that by understanding the diverse experiences of medical students and residents, we can create a stronger, more inclusive community that reflects the best of academic emergency medicine. I am eager to bring my enthusiasm, research experience, and collaborative spirit to the RAMS Board and to continue building the connections that make this organization exceptional.