About Us

Our Story

SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates was founded at Washington University in St. Louis in 2014. In 2017, SODA’s second chapter was established at Marquette University, followed by its third chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After this success, SODA began to grow nationally. From Fall 2018 through Fall 2019, SODA grew 300%, increasing from seven SODA chapters to its current number of 21 chapters. With passionate leaders at the helm of each campus chapter, SODA chapters are making a difference in their communities.

Why SODA Exists

Students represent a promising segment of the population to become educated about the critical need for organ donation and to register as organ donors. SODA campus chapters mobilize organ donation ambassadors and their peers, instill a passion for organ donation that can last a lifetime, and fulfill an unmet need for student-focused organ donation education and registration efforts across the United States.

National Team

SARA MILLER

President and Founder

Since founding SODA in 2014, Sara has been passionate about activating passionate students to advocate for organ donation. She manages SODA National, oversees SODA’s partnerships with OPOs, and ensures SODA’s work aligns with its vision and mission. Sara studied Healthcare Management and Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to her volunteer leadership at SODA, she works full time as a Senior Operations Analyst at Optum in Denver, Colorado.

You can reach Sara at sara@sodanational.org.

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Advisory Board

Shana Zucker

Student Engagement Advisor

One of SODA’s original founders, Shana is currently a third-year medical student pursuing an MD, an MPH in Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, and an MS in Anatomy at the Tulane University Schools of Medicine and Public Health & Tropical Medicine. In addition to her studies, Shana also conducts research, including roles as a Research Assistant for Trauma Surgery and Research Executive Director for the Medical Student Pride Alliance. She supports SODA as its Student Engagement and Social Media Advisor.