President

Skye Lane (she/her)

President-Elect

Lindsey Edwards (they/she)

Hi everyone! My name is Lindsey, I am in the class of 2027 and I am currently serving as your SAVMA President-Elect. I went to undergrad at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL where I majored in Biology and Theatre. I am primarily interested in lab animal medicine and small animal ER. Outside of vet med, I enjoy dancing and hanging out with my girlfriend and our pets! I wanted to be on the SAVMA executive board to help make a positive impact on our school and our education.

Vice President

Brittney Haynes

Secretary

Haylee Sheldon

Treasurer

Alex Bender (he/him)

I’m originally from Peoria, IL and went to undergrad at Iowa State University. My current career interests are small animal and zoo companion animal practice. When I actually have free time, I enjoy hiking, birding, and really just doing anything outside. I wanted to be part of the SAVMA E-Board so that I could be involved in making decisions to benefit my class and improve the vet school experience overall.

Treasurer-Elect

Staphany Martinez (she/they)

Hi, my name is Staphany, but I also go by Steph, and I am a member of the Class of 2027. Currently, I am learning the ropes as the SAVMA Treasurer-Elect. For my undergraduate studies, I attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology. My interests lie in lab animal medicine and small animal GP, but my ultimate goal after school is to own my own practice and rescue. When I’m not studying, I enjoy exploring the area, always on the lookout for new and interesting things to do. Joining the SAVMA executive board was something I wanted to do as it allows me to feel more connected to everyone, not just my classmates, all while contributing to improving the school and everyone’s experiences here at UIUC.

SAVMA Sr. Delegate

Tess Santoro (she/her)

Hello! My name is Tess, and I’m your SAVMA Senior Delegate! I’m originally from Homer Glen, IL, and I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in French. I am very interested in the human-animal bond, and after vet school I would love to work in companion animal medicine, especially with felines and exotics. When I’m not in class or studying, I love to read, visit coffee shops around town, and hang out with my cat, Vinny

SAVMA Jr. Delegate

MacKenzie Ulrey (she/her)

Hello! My name is MacKenzie Ulrey and I am your Junior Delegate! I am from Fort Wayne, Indiana and completed a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Psychology at Purdue University. I am currently interested in small animal emergency medicine and oncology. After school, I would love to own or manage my own practice. When i’m not at school or studying, I will most likely be reading or distressing with my roommates!

ISVMA Representative

Justin Huff

Fundraising Chairs

Shannon Hawkins (she/her)

My name is Shannon Hawkins and I am the SAVMA Fundraising Co-Chair. I am from Carmel, IN and graduated undergraduate from Hanover College, where I played collegiate soccer. Then I completed a Masters’ of Biology from Ball State University. I am most interested in Small Animal medicine but I am still deciding my career interests. Outside of class, my interests include running, true crime, and studying at coffee shops. I am excited to bring some new ideas and creativity to the fundraising position.

Chandler Hady (she/her)

My name is Chandler Hady and I am the SAVMA Fundraising Co-Chair. I’m from Mt.Auburn, Illinois and fell in love with vet med early on. I’m most interested in surgery at this point and I joined SAVMA as the fundraising chair because I enjoy being creative and interacting with my peers. I am just happy to be here.

Philanthropy Chair

Hannah Pulcastro (she/her)

My name is Hannah Pulcastro, and I am the SAVMA Philanthropy Chair.  I grew up in Spokane, Washington, competed my B.S in Neuroscience at Washington State University, and an M.P.S. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Maryland.  When I’m not studying, you can find me hiking with my dog or training with her for obedience or nosework trials.  I wanted to be a member of the SAVMA executive board to be involved in all the ways our SAVMA chapter gives back to the local community.

Diversity and Inclusion Chair

Dorothy Echols (she/her)

Hi there! My name is Dorothy Echols and I am excited to serve as the Diversity and Inclusion chair! I am a second year from the city of Chicago, I completed my undergraduate degree with a minor in chemistry, I have my Master’s in Biology, and have worked as an uncertified veterinary technician for the past 3 years. I am interested in pursuing the surgical specialty with a focus on applying minimally invasive techniques on exotic and wildlife species while advocating for underserved communities to expand the reach of our profession. In this position I hope to continue the legacy of promoting a more inclusive environment where everyone feels not only accepted but celebrated! Outside of the classroom I like to go out with my friends, travel, and color in coloring books with my black cat, Coffee.

Senior Communications Chair & Co-Webmaster

Abby Price (she/her)

My name is Abby Price and I’m the senior communications chair! I’m from Sandusky, OH and graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2022. I’m in the class of 2026 here at UIUC Vet Med and am interested in practicing small animal/shelter medicine. I love being involved in the feline, shelter med and surgery clubs. I wanted to be on the SAVMA exec board to be able to show the amazing events that SAVMA puts on and that future students should get involved with the organization!

Junior Communications Chair & Co-Webmaster

Talia Swartout (she/her)

My name is Talia Swartout and I’m the junior communications chair! I am from Jackson, MI and graduated from Michigan State University in 2022 with a B.S in Animal Science. I am in the class of 2027 here at UIUC Vet Med and I am currently interested in small animal GP and business management. When I am not studying for school, I love to build Legos, play video games, and go for walks outside. I wanted to be on the SAVMA exec board so I can become more involved in SAVMA, while also being able to communicate with other UIUC vet students about upcoming events in the school.

IVSA Senior Representative

IVSA Junior Representative

Class of 2024 Representative

Grace Wischmeyer (she/her)

My name is Gracie and I am the Class of 2024 representative. I grew up in Franklin Park, IL (near O’Hare) and went to Illinois Institute of Technology for my undergrad degree and Master’s. Although I’ve always loved animals, I fell in love with veterinary medicine in college, when I was lucky enough to land a summer internship at Brookfield Zoo. The rest of my college career was spent trying to gain as much veterinary experience as possible! I’m not really sure what I want to do after graduation yet, but I have a strong interesting specializing and eventually teaching somewhere down the line. My favorite part of being class representative is getting to know my classmates and future colleagues better!

Class of 2025 Representative

Theodore Belanga (they/them)

My name is Theodore and I’m the Class of 2025 representative. I did most of my growing up in Midland, Michigan and obtained my undergraduate degree in Biology at Saginaw Valley State University. My interests in veterinary medicine are in wildlife medicine and Diversity/Equity/Inclusion. Someday after I have my DVM, I plan to return to academia as a curriculum developer and educator with a teaching focus in health ethics and communication. Outside of classes, my interests include digital illustration, theatre, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. I’m proud to represent my class on the SAVMA board and I love being able to play a part in our vet school’s excellence!

Class of 2026 Representative

Sofia Murillo Logan (she/her)

My name is Sofia and I grew up in Dunellen, NJ. I graduated from Kean Univeristy in Jan 2020 and moved to Urbana to pursue my journey of becoming a veterinarian with my partner Craig and our cat Boots. I originally intended to follow the career path of human physical therapy, but fell in love with veterinarian medicine. I hope to combine my passions for physical therapy, wildlife, emergency and integrative medicine. I decided to run for Class of 2026 representatives so that I could help bring my class closer to each other and to the amazing veterinary community around them.

Class of 2027 Representative

Maci Galan (she/her)

Hi my name is Maci Galan and I am from Tampa, Florida. I went to the University of South Florida for my undergrad and earned a degree in Biomedical Sciences and a degree in Psychology. I am very interested in Veterinary Leadership and knew the best way to be an advocating voice for my classmates was by becoming a part of the SAVMA Executive Board. Additionally, I am also interested in neurology and equine medicine.

Faculty Advisors

Dr. Sander (he/him)

I’m one of three faculty advisors and love organized veterinary medicine. I’m an assistant professor in preventive medicine and public health and the more disciplines and collaborations involved, the happier I am.

Dr. Wismer (she/her)

I am one of the three faculty advisors and an adjunct instructor (toxicology). I am a Senior Director at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center located in Urbana, IL.

Dr. Hague (she/her)

I’m Devon Hague and am a clinical associate faculty member and the service head in Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Illinois. Additionally, I’m honored and humbled to serve as one of the three Illinois SAVMA faculty advisors and as the current ISVMA president.