Interviewee: Emily Fitzgerald - President of MEDLIFE
What exactly is MEDLIFE Miami? What is your specific role in the organization?
MEDLIFE is an acronym for Medicine, Education, and Development for Low Income Families Everywhere. Our impact as a club is to raise money and awareness for local and abroad groups who are less fortunate. MEDLIFE is dedicated to volunteerism and raising funds to carry out these service opportunities. I am the President of MEDLIFE Miami.
Can you tell me about the overall mission and goals of MEDLIFE Miami?
The overall mission and goals of MEDLIFE Miami are to raise awareness and funding for local and abroad organizations that aim to serve the less fortunate, including providing them access to healthcare. Members of the organization also volunteer to assist with these service opportunities.
What types of activities and events does the club typically organize?
The club centers around service and therefore we typically organize volunteer opportunities and fundraisers. Volunteer opportunities include the Oxford Free Clinic, weekly Cincinnati trips to serve the homeless and those living in emergency shelters, and Knolls Senior Center. Fundraisers such as the quesadilla fundraiser, the Color Run, and Yoga all support the Oxford Free Clinic.
How often does the club meet, and what is the typical format of meetings?
The club meets 6 times throughout each semester. The meetings are at 7 PM every other Monday and each meeting is unique. The general body meetings open with announcements about upcoming events and service opportunities and follow with the specific meeting of that week (ex. Dental Drive, Game Night, Oxford Free Clinic information session, Mental Health Awareness, etc.). Meetings last until 8 PM.
Are there any specific resources or opportunities that the club provides to its members?
The Oxford Free Clinic is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide free medical care to residents in Oxford who live a certain level below the poverty line. Each spring, members of MEDLIFE can apply to be on the Oxford Free Clinic volunteer committee. MEDLIFE also has bi-annual Service Learning Trips (SLTs). The SLTs take place in Latin American countries for one week and allow volunteers to participate in medical mobile clinics and service projects (such as painting schools or building stairs within the community).
Can you describe any volunteering or community service initiatives that the club is involved in?
Because MEDLIFE is centered around volunteering and community service, our club has lots of opportunities for members. In addition to the Oxford Free Clinic and SLTs, MEDLIFE participates in weekly trips to Cincinnati to serve the homeless and those living in emergency shelters, volunteering at the Knolls of Oxford to play Bingo with residents, hosting events such as the Color Run and Yoga to raise money for the Oxford Free Clinic, collecting donations for dental products donated to Cincinnati, and co-sponsoring blood drives at Miami.
How does the club support members in their journey towards medical school, PA school, dental school, or other healthcare careers?
Although MEDLIFE is not limited to students in the healthcare and medical fields, the majority of members are pursuing these careers. MEDLIFE provides members with a community of individuals in the same courses and age group, which allows members to make connections and have a support system. The executive board’s information is available to all members which allows them to reach out with any questions. In addition to information sessions about the healthcare field, we have provided mental health information and burnout information sessions, and have a senior panel in the spring semester which allows members to ask questions to upperclassmen about their experiences and advice.
Are there any leadership or mentorship opportunities available within the club?
All of the executive board members have their contact information available to general members which allows them to reach out and ask questions for advice. Typically in the fall semester, if there is enough interest, a mentorship program is set in place where general members are connected with upperclassmen with the same major.
