Meet the solace team
Adriana Kanarek (she/her)
President
Adriana is a fourth year, majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish. She is has always found great joy in making older individuals smile or making their day by means of small gestures or conversation. Solace has provided her the opportunity to partake in these actions frequently; and share her compassion and ambition with other members in Solace.
Adriana Kanarek
President
Josh Diedrich (he/him)
Chief of Membership
Josh is a third year majoring in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. He says Solace was the first real community that he joined at UF. He is grateful to form connections with a diverse group of students who he wouldn’t have met elsewhere. He is also passionate about serving some of the most vulnerable populations through volunteering at Shands.
Joshua Diedrich
Chief of Membership
Nick Blumenthal (he/him)
Chief of Hospital Affairs
Nick is a third year majoring in Nutritional Sciences. He has so many great memories of living with his grandparents! This allows his to truly understand how volunteers provide a means to bring life and laughter to geriatric patients enduring their own trials.
Nick Blumenthal
Chief of Hospital Affairs
Siya Bhutani (she/her)
Vice President
Siya is a third year, majoring in Biology. She applied for e-board so that she could give back to this amazing org and continue the tradition of having approachable and transparent leadership. From GBMs to socials, being part of Solace is like spending time with close friends because of how open and genuine everyone is.
Siya Bhutani
Vice President
Rishi Kondapaneni (he/him)
Chief of
Finances
Rishi is a fourth year, majoring in Biology and Psychology. He loves the capacity for change as an E-board member. He can see tangible changes and improvements to Solace.
Rishi Kondapaneni
Chief of Finances
Allie Armstrong (she/her)
Chief of Programming
Allie is a third year pre-OT student, majoring in Health Science. She is looking forward to designing decorations for units at Shands. She is also excited to plan crafts and activities for Al'z Place!
Allie Armstrong
Chief of Programming
Lizzy Solomon (she/her)
Chief of
Communications
Lizzy is a third year Nursing major. She is most excited to be a part of this amazing team. She is so grateful for all the opportunities that Solace has provided to connect with both members and patients.
Lizzy Solomon
Chief of Communications
Kiah Coleman-Spradley
Volunteer Coordinator
Kiah has been one of UF Health Shands Hospital’s incredible Volunteer Coordinators for over 4 years, and has been working with the Solace team since the Spring of 2020! She is a proud mother and loves working with all of her UF volunteers. She is a wonderful asset to the Solace team and provides an unparalleled amount of support and guidance to our members.
Kiah Coleman
Volunteer Coordinator
Madeline Gubbini (she/her)
Chief of
Fundraising
Madeline is a third year majoring in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. She is excited to organize and host our first big fundraising event: Solace Trivia! She hopes to help expand Solace’s presence and impact on the geriatric population in Gainesville.
Madeline Gubbini
Chief of Fundraising
Dr. Diba Mani
Organization Advisor
Diba Mani, Ph.D., is a lecturer in the Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology at UF. Alongside teaching, she is dedicated to research in the field of geriatrics and enjoys the human component of any work she is engaging in. Dr. Mani also enjoys being an international judo referee in her free time! We are so lucky to have her as a part of our team!