Meet the ​2024-2025
Nominations and Elections Committee

Co-REGIONAL DIRECTOR CHAIR,
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS CHAIR, and GENESEE VALLEY REGIONAL DIRECTOR,​​ Christopher Garcia​
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Chris Garcia is currently a Junior in the Basic Baccalaureate Program at Stony Brook University. He serves as the one of the Nomination and Election Co Chair, as well as Genesee Valley Regional Director for the 2024-2045 NSANYS Board of Directors. He is most excited about being able to organize an election for next year's NSANYS convention and spearheading the process of selecting the winners for awards. Since Chris attended college in the Genesee Valley region, he is happy to be able to work with that region again and represent them for an organization he cares deeply about. Within the time he had already been on the board, he had already appreciated the ability to work alongside other nursing leaders. In addition to being a nursing student, Chris is also an active member of his university's Army Reserves Officer Training Corps. He has been training for four years now to become a commissioned second lieutenant in the United States Army. His training experience in the field, as well as being forced to assume leadership and medical roles has developed an interest in the emergency department. He aspires to work in the ED after he finishes his time as an army nurse. Aside from his experience with the army, Chris has been in pursuit of other experiences related
to nursing. This past winter break, he was selected to be an intern at Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. He described it as “The perfect internship for the level he was at in his nursing education”. He was able to work with the geriatric population, many of which are diagnosed with dementia. This experience has opened many doors for Chris so far and he is eager to see what else is in store for him. Chris looks to be able to obtain some sort of continuing education after he works as a nurse for a few years. He is interested in the administrative side of nursing, in which he thinks that will be the avenue he takes for now. However, he understands that interests change all the time. Before the army experience, he did not see himself pursuing the ED. Chris is also passionate about nutrition advocacy, but at the moment does not see how he would be able to incorporate that into his nursing career. Nevertheless, in an ever expanding career like nursing, he is hopeful that something will come up or he might find something that already exists.

Co-REGIONAL DIRECTOR CHAIR, SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS CHAIR, and LONG ISLAND REGIONAL DIRECTOR, Jillian Radesca​
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Jillian’s interest in becoming a nurse began when she was four and her mother went back to college to become a nurse. Her understanding as to what a nurse is was very limited, but her mother’s love for her education and passion when she began working in the field inspired Jillian to do the same. Jillian obtained her EMT certification her senior year of high school, and she worked as an EMT throughout her gap year between high school and college. She was the Camp Medical Director and Camp EMT at a summer camp for two summers, and volunteered at an emergency ambulance company for one year. Her experience with EMS further developed her passion for working in the medical field only grew, and she views it as an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to help people when they are most vulnerable in perhaps some of the worst days of their lives. 
Jillian no longer volunteers as an EMT in order to dedicate more time to her education and leadership positions, but she is extremely grateful for the experiences she has and the people she has had the fortune of working with. Since then, Jillian has had the opportunity to be an intern at the Long Island State Veterans’ Home over the past winter break, and she was recently selected for the Northwell Health Summer Nurse Extern Program at South Shore University Hospital. Jillian plans to pursue a position in the Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit when she graduates in 2025, and she hopes to obtain her NP and DNP in the future. 
Outside of her education, Jillian partakes in her hobby of bodybuilding. Health, balance and overall well-being are central in her life. She also enjoys taking care of her pets and houseplants, cooking, and hiking.

NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR, Chris Maloney
Christopher Maloney is a dedicated Bachelor of Nursing student at Farmingdale State College, set to graduate in December 2025. As Co-President of Farmingdale’s Student Nursing Association, Christopher has demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to nursing education. Currently serving as a Financial Advisor, Christopher brings a unique perspective on managing both personal and organizational finances. In the role of Regional Director of the Nursing Student Association of New York State, Christopher aims to enhance student engagement and support. Following graduation, Christopher aspires to pursue a career in critical care nursing, driven by a passion for patient care and advanced clinical practice.

METROPOLITAN REGIONAL DIRECTOR, 
​Samiha Zaman
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Samiha Zaman is delighted to be the new 2024-2025 Metropolitan Regional Director! Samiha is a junior in the honors nursing program at New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing and is expected to graduate in May 2025. She currently works as a pediatric nursing assistant and hopes to become a pediatric or neonatal critical care nurse. At NYU Rory Meyers, Samiha is completing a senior thesis on issues regarding intimate partner violence and how healthcare services can improve for IPV survivors—a topic Samiha is very passionate about. Aside from research and her academic pursuits, Samiha competes on NYU's Ballroom and Latin Dance Team and enjoys reading, traveling, and bonding with her lovely friends and family. Samiha is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the NSANYS auxiliary board and looks forward to bonding with her fellow student nurse leaders!

WESTERN REGIONAL DIRECTOR, Rafia Tasnim
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Rafia Tasnim is thrilled to serve the role of Western Regional Director for the 2024-2025 term. She is Currently a sophomore at Stony Brook University pursuing a major in Health Science on the pre-nursing track. She is deeply passionate about nursing, driven by her belief that compassionate care is a cornerstone of holistic healing. Her dedication to healthcare was cultivated during her time as a volunteer at Columbia Memorial Hospital, where she served as a Child Life Intern, contributing to the implementation of tailored plans for children and providing invaluable emotional support. In addition to her academic pursuits and hospital volunteering, she serves as the treasurer for Project Sunshine, an organization dedicated to bringing recreational and educational programs to pediatric patients, spreading joy and fostering resilience. Through her diverse experiences, Rafia has cultivated a growing passion for healthcare, recognizing the multifaceted nature of patient well-being. In her free time, she likes to workout, read, spend time in nature, and dance! Rafia's ultimate goal is to become a pediatric nurse, leveraging her passion for caring for children to create a positive impact. With an eye toward the future, she aspires to further her education and career by becoming a Nurse Practitioner, with the dream of opening her own pediatric healthcare practice.

CENTRAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR, Avary Kwai
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Avary Kwai is excited to serve as Central Regional Director for the 2024-2025 term, previously Western Regional Director for the 2023-2024 term! She is a sophomore at Stony Brook University pursuing a major in Health Science on the Pre-Nursing Track. Her passion for nursing stems from her love to advocate and serve as a support system for people. She was a volunteer at the Hospital Elder Life Program at Stony Brook University Hospital, where she enhanced geriatric patients' stay through shared comfort activities and by providing quality company. Additionally, she volunteered at the Child Life Program, where she played with pediatric patients at the bedside to help relieve their anxiety. She is also a member of Stony Brook's Campus Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT), where she provides medical assistance as an auxiliary responder, and educates others on disaster preparedness. Her experiences in healthcare so far have made her love for pursuing a career in nursing even stronger. She has grown in confidence in her abilities to provide patient care and has learned invaluable skills. Some of her hobbies include exploring the city with her friends, running, and thrifting. After graduating, Avary plans to become a Neonatal (NICU) Nurse, however she is open to all specialties.

MIDHUDSON REGIONAL DIRECTOR, Erin Fechtig
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Erin is a junior in the Basic Baccalaureate Program at Stony Brook’s School of Nursing. She currently serves as the Communications and Newsletter Director for the Stony Brook Student Nursing Association. Erin has accepted the position of Midhudson Regional Director and is excited to fulfill her roles and responsibilities. 
Before nursing school, Erin attended Rutgers University majoring in public health. After her second year she transferred home to Nassau Community College to finish her prerequisite nursing classes. She started out her healthcare journey as working as a receptionist at a pediatrician’s office. Interacting with patients and their families is so rewarding and she is excited to experience that more in a career in nursing. Outside of nursing school, Erin loves to bake. A couple of years ago she started an Instagram account for her baking called “Rollinthedoughh” Initially it started as a space for her to share recipes, and ultimately turned into a small business venture! Erin plans to work in the field of Women’s Health. She grew up in an environment where she was supported by strong women, and she hopes she can pass that gift on to others in the healthcare setting. She is eager is for the opportunities ahead of her in NSNAYS and is excited to connect with other nursing students.