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

Clay is from Hunterdon county, New Jersey and is majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology (JHU ‘27). He joined HERO as a prior EMT in his freshman year. As Personnel Lieutenant, Clay manages HERO logistics, schedules unit shifts, and helps coordinate standby events. He has previously served as a selection officer. Outside of HERO, Clay is a climbing instructor in Outdoor Pursuits and a camp counselor for Camp Kesem. In his free time, he enjoys reading, climbing, and volunteering with White Marsh Volunteer Fire Department.

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 from Joppa, Maryland. She is majoring in Behavioral Biology with a Psychology minor. Lia joined HERO as a non-prior EMT in her freshman year (JHU class of '27). As Equipment Officer, she maintains HERO's inventory and our squad room. Outside of HERO, Lia plays tennis on the JHU women’s tennis team. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and hanging out with friends.

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: Agastya Sinha Email

Agastya is from Montgomery, New Jersey and is majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology and German (JHU ‘28). He joined HERO as a non-prior EMT his freshman year. As Secretary, he helps document unit meetings and assists with community and alumni outreach. Outside of HERO, Agastya does T1D research at the Pathology Department and volunteers with Alzheimer’s Buddies and the JHADRC. He has previously served as an alumni coordinator. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new restaurants, watching football, and playing racquet sports.

Treasurer: Nadia Almasri Email

Nadia is from Fresno, California and is majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology and Spanish (JHU ‘27). She joined HERO as a non-prior her freshman year. As Treasurer, she oversees HERO finances—budgeting, fundraising, and coordinating with campus offices. Outside of HERO, Nadia volunteers as a reproductive health educator with the Violet Project, tutors every subject she can in PILOT, and works in an immunology lab.

Member At Large: Kristy Leiva Email

Kristy is from Linden, New Jersey and is majoring in Neuroscience (JHU ‘27). She joined HERO as a non-prior EMT in her sophomore year. As Member-at-Large, she plans events and helps to bring the voice of all HERO members to the board. Outside of HERO, Kristy volunteers at the JHH Pediatric Emergency Department, is involved with PILOT, and a member of Alpha Phi. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, exercising, and baking.

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: Bethania Robertson Email

Bethania is a junior studying Biomedical Engineering 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.

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.