If someone were to bring up the phrase, “Premed Network,” what is the first thing a person would think? Would a bunch of doctors in a group-like setting attending conferences come to mind? What if there were a Premed Network specifically made for students in high school, and members could get early exposure to research and medicine? The Florida Premed Network is a program in which students from multiple schools in Orange County participate. Some schools on this list include Lake Highland Preparatory School, Lake Nona High School, University High School, Orlando Science School, Seminole High School, Windermere High School, and many more. These schools have one-of-a-kind premed clubs that spread the news on upcoming events. They get to collaborate, support each other, and share ideas for healthcare-related projects.
The Premed Network has a website that gives updates on events that have happened and events that are about to happen. This website states that they provide, “Volunteer opportunities and involvement in research to healthcare events.” Their most recent event occurred during the summer at the Orlando Science Center, in which there were a variety of creative, science-related activities for kids interested in STEM. This event was a huge success. As the website explains, “With the guidance of volunteers—students from various high schools—they made sure that every activity was educational, interactive, and most importantly, fun.” There was also a place where families could donate money to help support the network and continue hosting fun events like these, ultimately contributing to our goal of providing research opportunities for all the hardworking and driven members.
The president of the program, Vidhiya Muthukumar, grade 12, and Vice President, Zoya Shahzad, grade 12, are both passionate about medicine and want to pursue careers in this field. This is why they took the initiative to have a leadership position in this network. When asked about her journey in medicine, and why they want to have a career associated with it, Zoya said, “Nearly every adult in my family has a medical background. So I grew up around a large group of people who pursued medicine. This jump-started my journey toward this field. And what keeps me motivated is my own personal interest that I cultivated over the years through projects such as the Florida Premed Network, the Windemere High School Premed Club, and more!” Additionally, they are currently both Seniors and want to leave a legacy behind of something that they have always been passionate about before they go to college. Because they have busy schedules, they discussed how it isn’t easy sometimes, especially in high leadership positions, to balance school and club work. However, “[They] plan ahead. [They] use a planner to write down my tasks and due dates. This helps me stay on track and avoid stress. Time management really helps.”
Zoya explained how ”The Premed Network has so many goals that the President and Vice President are eager to see in the future. She also explained that “The goals of the Premed Network are what make it unique compared to other clubs. Each goal is aligned with a solidified impact, whether it is fundraising for a cause or actively increasing health literacy. We raised over 200 dollars in suicide prevention resources and engaged in the expansion of health literacy with over 2,000 people at our Orlando Science Center Med-Fair event.”
Additionally, Vidhiya was asked about how their events and projects impacted them, and they talked highly about the experience they got from hosting an event for the Orlando Science Center. They talked about how it was amazing to engage with younger kids and, “Answering their questions about the body and health. We talked to more than 2,000 people, which still surprises me. It showed how much people care about learning. That day really reminded me why I want to go into healthcare.” Along with that, the president stated, “ I saw how much our club could influence others. One kid told me they wanted to become a doctor after our station, and that really stuck with me. I felt like we were inspiring the next generation. It was a powerful reminder of why this club matters.” This message proves what this organization stands for. Not only does it motivate high school students to pursue their passion in medicine, but it even impacts children who want to be healthcare professionals when they grow up. Moments like this remind Vidhiya and Zoya that the true message behind healthcare is not just treating patients, but its about inspiring future generations and showing their own message about why having a united program like this is crucial.
In the future, the Premed Network wants to expand its mission to even more schools and reach further parts of Florida. Zoya Shahzad stated, “This would allow us to participate in more events, including walks and fairs. After all, we have historic success with our event areas: Lake Eola, Avalon Park, Orlando Science Center, and Lake County Park.” In this network, I myself am a member, and I highly recommend joining if you are interested in the medical field or want to have a future in healthcare. This program gives many students opportunities that are unlike any other club!
