From learning how to tie surgical knots to hosting guest speakers, the future of medicine rests in the hands of the students in room 22. 

The TPHS Medicines Next Generation Club meets biweekly on Wednesdays to provide hands-on practice, and presentations for students interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

“The goal [is] to foster a community of students who could just openly talk about medicine, what they want to do as a career, and provide a space where people can explore a passion of theirs,” Sam Powell-Parsons (11), co-president and founder of the club, said.

The club’s executive committee consists of Zahra Alam (11) and Powell-Parsons as co-presidents and founders, as well as vice president Audrey Hamilton (11), social media manager Gaby Shanner (11), secretary Lilia Lajevardi (11) and outreach director Emily Chun (12).

“After the first meeting, so many people came up to us [explaining that their families worked in the field],” Alam said. “We have been working on bringing [professionals] in and sharing their knowledge.”

Quickly, the club began to gain significant attention from its advisor and achieve success with a large number of members.

The club exposes students to medical tasks and practices.

“Our biggest hit was probably the sutures,” Powell-Parsons said. “We had a lot of kids come that day … and I think people like that a lot.”

On Feb. 18, the club led an organized tour at the University of California, San Diego, where they had the opportunity to meet with the Deans of Student Affairs and Academic Advising and the Chancellor of the School of Science.

The club also offers opportunities, such as CPR certification at its meetings.

Alam shared a valuable memory when she saw the club’s work pay off.

“When [a member] posted a TikTok of it, and there was like, a comment on her TikTok being like, ‘I really want to, like, join this class,’” Alam said. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s amazing how they thought it was a class.'”

Furthermore, one of the club’s personal highlights was when “openheart surgeon, Stuart Jamieson, came into the club to give a presentation on his career and accomplishments,” Powell-Parsons said. 

“My favorite activity was when they brought in their speaker,” Olson said. “He gave me his book. [Being able] to hear him and let them interact with someone who’s accomplished so much … I don’t know if the kids realized how much of a pioneer he is in the [field ] of heart transplants. It meant a lot because I had a friend who had recently had a heart transplant… but the fact that they organized it, they got him here on campus and talking, was really cool.”

Powell-Parsons described the audience’s reaction to the speaker. 

“I just remember kind of looking around, and everybody was very interested in what [the retired cardiothoracic surgeon] was talking about,” Powell-Parsons said. “They were all very engaged, and it just made me feel like it was like a community of people who really cared about what we were learning about.”

The club focuses on what they have planned for the rest of the year.

“We want to revisit some of the activities that we did last year, since there are new members to the club,” Powell-Parsons said. “We are hoping to continue our CPR certification, have more guest speakers, and tour some medical facilities or labs. We really wanted to connect the members with other people, like healthcare professionals.”

Their advisor highlighted the club’s dedication to learning. 

“They definitely have that drive and passion to be the next generation in medicine,” Olson said.