Vitality Medical Initiative

UCLA's premier student-led program dedicated to senior health, mobility, and community-driven clinical service.

Join Our Team

Who We Are

Bridging Science and Senior Wellness

Our Service

Vitality Medical Initiative (VMI) is a recently founded student organization at UCLA. We specialize in bringing evidence-based physical wellness programs to local assisted living facilities.

Our members work 1-on-1 with residents, conducting functional mobility assessments and leading adaptive exercise sessions designed to improve quality of life and foster meaningful intergenerational connections.

The Purpose

For many students, clinical research stays in the classroom. We believe that evidence-based practices should be applied where they are needed most—in our community.

By focusing on fall prevention and healthy aging, we empower older adults to maintain their independence while providing UCLA students with invaluable hands-on health experience and professional leadership opportunities.

Our Mission

Clinical Objectives

  • Build muscular strength and physical endurance
  • Preserve bone density and joint health
  • Enhance balance, coordination, and mobility
  • Directly reduce the risk of debilitating falls
  • Enable independence in activities of daily living

Community & Growth

  • Educate the community on the importance of functional health
  • Provide curated health and wellness presentations
  • Foster biweekly student-led health meetings at UCLA
  • Create inclusive, personalized sessions for every resident
  • Build a fun, active community of students and seniors

Clinical Safety & Oversight

ParQ Required

Mandatory Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for all participants.

Strict Ratios

Programming maintained at safe 1:1 or 1:2 teacher-to-participant ratios.

Doctor Consult

Residents are actively encouraged to consult physicians prior to program start.

"Stop if Pain"

Immediate policy to cease activity if any level of physical pain is reported.

Every VMI program is reviewed and approved by a Licensed Physical Therapist and a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeon to ensure medical safety and effectiveness.

Meet the Leadership

Executive Founders

Founder / President

Arush Sharma

3rd Year Psycho-Biology

Medical Assistant & Researcher @ UCLA FSPH

Founder / Vice President

Carter Peterson-Meyer

3rd Year Psycho-Biology

EMT & Researcher @ UCLA School of Nursing

Founder / Operations

Andrew Greene

3rd Year Physiological Sciences

Medical Assistant & Researcher @ UCLA Ortho Hospital

Executive Board

Presentation Coordinator

Rishi Gunturi

1st Year Neuroscience

Data Manager

Charlie Haines

3rd Year Psychobiology

Treasurer

Momin Ahmed

3rd Year Computational Biology

Internal Relations

Eddy Yao

1st Year Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

Internal Relations

Grace Arellano

3rd Year Public Health

Secretary

Tanvi Pampati

1st Year Psychobiology

Fitness Coordinators

Fitness Coordinator

Dani Palma

3rd Year Psychobiology

Fitness Coordinator

Mary Crompton

3rd Year Neuroscience