With the rise in new STEM clubs this school year, a chapter of The Youth Medical Association ( YMA) has begun as one of the new medical-based clubs at Townsend Harris High School. While the school emphasizes humanities-based clubs, programs, and events, in recent years, science clubs such as YMA have grabbed students’ attention.
The Youth Medical Association originated in The Bronx High School of Science. It is a nonprofit international organization that focuses on giving students numerous opportunities to succeed in the medical field. While guiding students to understand the significance of medicine, the organization provides access to internships and volunteer opportunities to students in different schools across the world.
Co-presidents and juniors Shayera Mourin and Adeline Lin spoke to The Classic about why they decided to start the club and how they learned about it.
“I actually came across YMA International through an Instagram post by one of their board members in my freshman year and I’ve been intrigued ever since,” said Shayera. .
Both Adeline and Shayera said they believe that their club will benefit the students at THHS who are interested in the healthcare field by providing hands-on experiences.
Adeline said, “We will get to tour labs [and] go to conferences and medical events through leading institutions such as New York University Langone, Columbia University, and more. We will [also be] providing more hands-on activities during school hours and outside events, based on what we learn from our educational presentations.”
Numerous students at THHS anticipate future events and are eager to join YMA. Sophomores Meriam Alamerie and Rachel Aronbayev, explained their reasons for joining YMA and thoughts on the club.
“I’m planning to join YMA so that I can have hands-on experience and opportunities revolving around healthcare which will benefit me since I plan to become a doctor in the future. [It] seems like a club with lots of fun included in learning and also because it has been such a big and successful club internationally” said Meriam.
Similarly, Rachel said, “ I am interested in the medical field and I feel that this will be a great way to learn about different medical fields as well as medical issues.”
Many students believe that this club will provide them with opportunities to succeed in their future careers. “I would like to become a Physician Assistant or in the long run, eventually an Anesthesiologist or OB/GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist),” said junior Madiha Siddique. “ [I] saw how the organization itself is built and the effort the director and members put in. [It] shows how hard they work to convey their message on how the medical field works.”
YMA advisor Sarah Levine, an English teacher at THHS, said, “I had taught Shayera in her freshman year and she approached me about wanting to start the club. I could see how passionate she and her co-founder were and wanted to make sure their dream could be realized.” Ms. Levine said she is excited for students to be able to experience the unique opportunities that YMA has to offer this year.
Freshman Sarah Alie said, “ I think YMA is very beneficial to students because it can teach kids so many things while they are still young […] it can really change the way people who are willing to pursue medicine see things.” Sarah emphasized how important it is to be taught about the medical field— especially to students who desire knowledge and different experiences.
She said clubs like YMA are important because they give students the opportunity to see what career is best for them later in life. “It just shapes the young minds for the future,”she said.
