Madeline Yorke is a first-year medical student attending Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine in Kalamazoo, MI. Maddie was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, and continued her childhood in Battle Creek, Michigan. She double majored in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology, with a minor in Chemistry, and graduated in Spring of 2023 from Western Michigan University. Maddie had a very active upbringing, including participation in ice hockey, soccer, dance, golf, and swimming. During Maddie’s senior year of college, she was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Her diagnosis started an extensive search of exercise opportunities that she both enjoyed and would not harm her joints, leading her to weightlifting and yoga. After experiencing many months without exercise due to symptom flares, Maddie recognized how critical exercise is to mental wellness, as well as how difficult it can be to find programs that are appropriate for individuals with health conditions. In her role with Medicine in Motion, Maddie plans to continue her passion of encouraging exercise and working with the community to ensure that exercise programs are accessible to every individual.

Matthew Cohen is a first-year medical student attending Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. He graduated from Brandeis University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Born in San Francisco, CA, Matthew has led an active lifestyle since early childhood. He found his love for swimming at the age of seven and thrived as a competitive swimmer until he graduated high school. During this time, he realized the power that physical activity has in improving mental, physical, and emotional well being. Since then, Matthew has continued to swim on his own time while also branching out and eagerly exploring new ways to stay active including weightlifting, soccer, basketball, and long distance running. Additionally, after graduating college, he gained valuable volunteer experience as a swimming instructor for differently-abled people before attending medical school. He continues to prioritize physical, mental, and emotional well being by staying active, especially as he begins his career in medicine. Matthew is excited to promote the importance of health and fitness for other community members in his role at Medicine in Motion.

Megan Moore is an M1 at Western Michigan Homer Stryker School of Medicine. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Megan discovered her love for fitness when she began running during college, starting with two-mile jogs in the evenings and gradually adding on more and more miles. She has since completed a number of running events including the Bayshore Marathon in 2023 and Boston qualifying at the Mesa Marathon in 2024. Megan is a member of the 5GP running group in Kalamazoo and is excited to share her passion for keeping active with more of the community through Medicine in Motion.

Phoebe Sotiroff is a first-year medical student attending Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine. Originally from Ann Arbor, MI, she completed her undergraduate education at the University of Michigan, earning a BS in Movement Science with a minor in Biochemistry. Phoebe’s upbringing was marked by her active involvement in various sports teams, including soccer, tennis, cross country, golf, and karate. During her college years, she found a sense of community and stress relief as a member of the club cross country team. Notably, she participated in a 24-hour relay race across the state of Michigan, fundraising for the Special Olympics. As a medical student, her commitment to addressing burnout in the medical field led her to Medicine in Motion, where she eagerly contributes to the integration of physical activity, philanthropy, and wellness within the medical community and beyond.

Ryan Olivier is an M3 at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed), hoping to pursue a career in Radiology. Originally from Metro Detroit, Ryan attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate education, where he obtained his B.S. in Public Health Sciences. Ryan has been an avid runner for most of his life – from being his high school cross country and track captain to the WMed Running Interest Group President, he has always found ways to encourage others to stay active. In his free time, Ryan enjoys volunteering at local Kalamazoo shelters, playing in local volleyball leagues, golfing with friends, and strength training. After experiencing burnout first-hand in medical school, Ryan founded Medicine in Motion at WMed to foster an inclusive community centered around physical and mental wellness.