Hopkins Emergency Response Organization

Captain: Betania Arce Email

Betania Arce is honored to be serving as the Captain for 2025. Betania is from Miami, Florida and is majoring in Biomedical Engineering (co 2026). She joined HERO as a prior EMT her freshman spring. As Captain, Betania helps oversee the operations of HERO. She has previously served as President and Secretary of HERO. Outside of HERO, Betania does research at Bayview and can be found enjoying a caffeinated beverage.

President: Erika Flickinger Email

Erika is from Decatur, Illinois and is majoring in Computer Science & Cognitive Science (co 2026). She joined HERO as a non prior EMT her sophomore spring. As President, Erika helps lead BOD and connects with HERO admin. Outside of HERO, Erika enjoys yoga, spending time with friends, and exploring coffee shops.

Personnel Lieutenant: Clayton Tomilinson Email

EMS Lieutenant: Grant Dahl Email

Grant is from St. Louis, Missouri and is majoring in Neuroscience (co 2027). He joined HERO as a non prior EMT in his freshman spring. As EMS Lieutenant, he oversees promotions within the unit and also assists with onboarding probationary members. Outside of HERO, Grant enjoys whitewater kayaking, singing in his a cappella group, and playing sports.

Equipment Officer: Lia Melvin Email

Lia is a sophomore majoring in behavioral biology from Joppa, Maryland. As the Equipment Officer, she organizes HERO's inventory, ensures our supplies are ample and functional, and maintains our squad room as an excellent space for HERO's various uses of it.

Recruitment Officer: Katie Chong Email

Katie is a junior from Northern Virginia majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology and minoring in Space Science & Engineering. She joined HERO as a new EMT during her freshman year. Outside of HERO, she is involved in aerospace medicine research at the JH Human Spaceflight Lab, a volunteer at the JH Hospital Adult Emergency Department, and a patroller with the National Ski Patrol. In her free time, she enjoys trying out new recipes, skiing, and hiking.

Training Officer: Will Taggart Email

Will is from Livermore, California, and is studying Public Health and Film/Media Studies (co 2026). He joined HERO as a new EMT his freshman fall. In addition to HERO, Will volunteers at White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company. Outside of HERO, Will likes to run, make short films, and do smoking cessation research. He previously served as the Personnel Lieutenant, is a current Duty Officer, and is thrilled to be serving as HEROs Training Officer this year.

Secretary: Jennifer Lin Email

Jennifer is from Houston, Texas and is majoring in Public Health (co 2026). She joined HERO as a new EMT her freshman fall. Outside of HERO, Jennifer does research at the Asthma and Allergy Center and involved in HCC, the Pediatric Emergency Department, Child life, and Pilot. As Secretary, she helps bring the voice of all of HERO's members to the board.

Treasurer: Nadia Almasri Email

Member At Large: Varsha Arun Email

Varsha is from St. Louis, Missouri and is majoring in Public Health and Natural Sciences (co 2025). She joined HERO as a prior EMT her freshman spring. As Member at Large, she plans events and helps to bring the voice of all HERO’s members to the board. Outside of HERO, Varsha is on an acapella team and does research on animal models of traumatic brain injury.

Training Coordinator: Charlie Pearson Email

Charlie is a junior studying Public Health. He collaborates with the Training Officer, as well as Dennis, the other Training Coordinator, to design and execute customized weekly trainings to all HERO members, helping ensure our continued quality service.

Training Coordinator: Dennis Ngo Email

Dennis is a junior studying Public Health. He collaborates with the Training Officer, as well as Charlie, the other Training Coordinator, to design and execute customized weekly trainings to all HERO members, helping ensure our continued quality service.

CPR & Stop the Bleed Coordinator: Shek Pasupuleti Email

Shek is a junior studying neuroscience. He arranges HERO's CPR and Stop the Bleed classes for community members.

Equipment Coordinator: Justin Blumenthal Email

Justin is a sophomore majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He assists the Equipment Officer in organizing HERO's inventory, ensuring our supplies are ample and functional, and maintaining our squad room as an excellent space for HERO's various uses of it.

Alumni Coordinator: Armaan Bilimoria Email

Armaan is a freshman studying Cognitive Science. As an alumni coordinator, he assists with outreach to alumni memmbers of HERO, ensuring that we continue to organize events that engage our talented alumni.

Training Coordinator: Agastya Sinha Email

Agastya is a freshman studying Molecular and Cellular Biology. As an alumni coordinator, he assists with outreach to alumni memmbers of HERO, ensuring that we continue to organize events that engage our talented alumni.

Standby Coordinator: Eliya Karoutchy Email

Eliya is a sophomore majoring in neuroscience and psychology from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She works closely with campus event organizers and HERO members to schedule and coordinate standby emergency medical coverage for many of Hopkins’ on and off-campus events.