As an EMT, Yash frequently encountered emergencies where patients and their families were unable to act quickly, simply because they lacked the essential skills to perform CPR or first aid. The root of the issue? Barriers like the high cost of training and limited access to CPR classes in underserved communities. After discussing these challenges with his friends, Jay and Suket, it became clear that something needed to change. Together, they founded Beat to Breathe CPR, a nonprofit dedicated to making lifesaving skills like CPR and first aid not just a privilege for a few, but an accessible, affordable resource for all.
Executive Board
Yash Patel
Co-Founder &
President
Yash is a graduate of Rutgers University and is currently a medical student at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. During his time at Rutgers, Yash was the First Lieutenant of the the Highland Park First Aid Squad and an EMT for close to four years! Yash has close to three years of experience as a CPR instructor and loves to paint/draw in his free time.
Jay Patel
Co-Founder &
Vice President
Jay is a recent graduate of Rutgers University and is currently a medical student at New Jersey Medical School. During his time as an undergraduate student, Jay was an EMT for over two years in Highland Park and the President of the Rutgers Redcross Chapter! Jay has close to three years of experience as a CPR instructor and loves to weight lift in his free time.
Suket Shah
Co-Founder &
Treasurer
Suket is currently a student at New Jersey Medical School. Suket’s EMS experience includes being an assistant Captain of the Highland Park First Aid Squad as well as hundreds of EMS calls throughout Burlington and Woodbridge Township. In his free time, Suket loves to watch football and baseball, especially the Giants and Yankees.
Vishnu Chennapragada
Head of Central Jersey Events
Vishnu is a current junior at Rutgers University, with plans to go to medical school. He currently works as an EMT for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and volunteers at the Highland Park First Aid Squad. Vishnu is passionate about teaching CPR and First Aid, and loves seeing others gain confidence in learning new skills! In his free time, Vishnu likes to listen to music, try new foods, and go for runs.
Daarsh Goradia
Head of South Jersey Events
Daarsh is a graduate of Rutgers University and is currently a medical student at Rowan Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. During his time as a high school and undergraduate student, Daarsh worked as a medical assistant at Harshem Family Practice and was actively involved in both medical and biomedical engineering student organizations. In his free time, he loves to lift weights and be active in all types of sports.
Our Team
Andrea Lopez
Andrea is currently a student at Rutgers University with a current major in biology and doing a minor in Spanish. She currently works at the Eric B. Chandler Health Clinic as she prepares to go into medical school. Andrea loves to dance during her free time and spend time with her little siblings.
Arjun Sarangapany
Arjun is currently a student at Rutgers University – New Brunswick and is majoring in Biological Sciences. He has worked as an EMT for the past 3 years and currently works as a Medical Scribe. During his free time, he enjoy playing basketball, listening to music, and eating food.
Brandon Igot
Brandon is a student at NJIT majoring in Pre-Health Biomedical Engineering. He is currently an EMT for Saddle Brook Volunteer Ambulance Squad in North Jersey. In his free time, he loves to play the guitar and make music, play volleyball, and spend time with my dog, Tucker. A fun fact about Brandon is that he has been to over 13 countries!
Chloe Uy
Chloe is a pre-med student at Rutgers-New Brunswick Honors College, majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Her hobbies include listening to music and podcasts, crocheting, and reading. Fun fact: She’s played the violin for 10 years!
Divakaran Manimaran
Divakaran is currently a Biology major at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He rides with the North Brunswick First Aid and Rescue Squad, and enjoys helping his community by volunteering at local events. In his spare time, he loves exploring both the city and nature, and is a big fan of Manchester United.
Fatema Hirani
Fatema is a biology major at NJIT. A few of her hobbies include running, reading and planning trips into the city. A fun fact about Fatema is that she loves skiing!
Grace Gerhardstein
Grace is a student at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, majoring in psychology, minoring in cognition and biology. Her hobbies include going to the gym, traveling, and hanging out with friends. One fun fact about Grace is that she did gymnastics and competition cheerleading her entire life up to college.
Iman Iqbal
Iman is a student at Rutgers University majoring in biology. She is passionate about creating a healthy and supportive community through academic and personal pursuits. In her free time, she likes to watch movies, explore cinematography, and support Carlos Sainz on race days.
Jada Williams
Jada is a student at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, with a major in Biomedical Nutritional Sciences and a minor in Spanish. She enjoys playing chess and gardening. Fun fact about Jada is that she loves rollercoasters!
Jocelyn Davis
Jocelyn is currently a student at Rowan University double majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology and Neuroscience, with minors in Premedical Studies, Chemistry, and Law & Justice Studies. She currently work as an EMT with Virtua and serves as an Army Combat Medic. Outside of academics and work, Jocelyn love working out and exploring new coffee shops!
Khushi Dengale
Khushi is a biology major at NJIT and serves as an EMT with Edison EMS. She enjoys watching movies, trying new food spots in NYC, and playing poker. A fun fact about Khushi is that she is learning Chinese.
Magy Hanna
Magy is a Biology major at NJIT’s Albert Dorman Honors College. She loves spending time with friends, and learning about languages and their history as well as actually learning them. A fun fact about Magy is that she enjoys watching documentaries on Netflix!
Medha Singireddy
Medha is currently a student at Rutgers University majoring in Cell Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in Health Administration and Medical Ethics & Health Policy. She volunteers as an EMT with the North Brunswick First Aid Squad and works at RWJ as a medical scribe. She enjoys visiting new places, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with friends.
Milena Yagui Rivera
Milena is a student at the Honors College of Rutgers University, majoring in Biological Sciences on the pre-med track, and planning to minor in Japanese. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering in the New Brunswick community. Some of her hobbies include running and crocheting. One fun fact about Milena is that she is trilingual in English, Spanish, and Japanese.
Nathan Macaranas
Nathan is a student studying Biology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Outside of academics, he enjoys reading, keeping up with fashion, and drawing. A fun fact about Nathan is that he is currently learning French!
Nivedita Ilangovan
Nivedita is a student at Rutgers University, majoring in Genetics and minoring in Public Health. She volunteers as an EMT with Morgan First Aid Squad and is passionate about promoting health equity. In her free time, she enjoys baking, watching movies, and playing pickleball!
Parisa Priyam
Parisa is currently a Biochemistry major at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and plans to go to medical school. She volunteers at various hospitals in her community and is passionate about health education in underserved communities. In her free time, Parisa loves to try new foods, stay active, and go on spontaneous trips with friends.
Priyanka Sunkara
Priyanka is a pre-medical Biochemistry student at the Albert Dorman Honors College at NJIT. Some of her hobbies include watching movies, writing, and playing music. A fun fact about Priyanka is that she can play 5 instruments!
Rohan Rao
Rohan is currently a student at Rutgers University, with plans to go to medical school. He currently works as a medical scribe in the emergency department with RWJBarnabasHealth. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, traveling, and playing sports.
Rosa Alejandra Rojas
Rosa is a student at Rutgers University in the School of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Cell Biology and Neuroscience. She enjoys playing basketball or tennis, sleeping, and exploring new places. A fun fact about Rosa is that this is her first time living in another country on her own.
Sandra Orjih
[Bio]
Sarah-Grace Coren
Sarah-Grace is a Biology major at Rowan University. She is passionate about science and hopes to become a physician in the future. Outside of school, she love working out and staying active. A fun fact about Sarah-Grace is that she has two Irish Doodles who basically act like toddlers and keep life exciting!
Schayta Sharma
Schayta is a current student at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, majoring in psychology, minoring in statistics on the pre-health track. She is passionate about community service, and has been volunteering at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for 3 years. One fun fact about Schayta is that she likes playing volleyball and has played throughout high school!
Sisir Datla
Sisir is currently a student at NJIT majoring in biology, on track to go to New Jersey Medical School in 2027. Currently, he works at JFK Medical Center as a PCT and is passionate about making an impact in the community with health education. In his free time, he likes to travel to new cities, go on hikes, or lift!
Zofia Bath
Zofia is a student at Rutgers University majoring in Public Health on the Pre-Medical Track. In her free time, she enjoys golfing in the summer and skiing in the winter. She finds peace in the mountains and hopes to one day live in an area close to them.
Beat to Breathe CPR 