Article 10: HSAFP Chapters in Action: Highlights from 2024–2025
Explore the amazing achievements of our high school chapters this year, from student-led clothing drives and organ dissections to interactive physician Q&A sessions.
The 2024–2025 academic year was HSAFP’s inaugural year with guided hands-on and virtual curriculum. This year, hundreds of high school students across the U.S. and Canada learned about the journey to medical school and the future of the medical field, based on the AAMC Premed Competencies, which are used by most U.S. medical schools to "evaluate applicants' readiness for medical school” (AAMC, 2023).
In addition to our monthly curriculum, our Chapter Presidents and Chapter Officers were encouraged to host their own hands-on local events that reflected the AAMC Premed Competencies and HSAFP’s mission to build strong leadership skills that physicians need, like adaptability, dependability, and making decisions with a team.
In this article, the HSAFP Executive Team highlights three stellar HSAFP Chapters that went above and beyond this year by participating in our curriculum and planning additional events.
BASIS Ahwatukee HSAFP Chapter Highlights
by Joanne PayyapillyPresident, BASIS Ahwatukee HSAFP Chapter 2024–2025
High School: BASIS Ahwatukee in Phoenix, AZ
Throughout this year, our HSAFP Chapter hosted engaging events, hands-on workshops, and service opportunities that embody HSAFP’s mission. Some of our highlights include:
Hands-On Medical Experiences
- Practiced suturing, CPR, taking blood pressure, and basic medical techniques.
- Participated in organ dissections to better understand anatomy.
Real-World Simulations
- Solved medical case studies with Dr. Blair Nelson, acting out scenarios and diagnosing patients like real physicians.
- Hosted Dr. Joanne Claris, who shared raw and inspiring insights about her journey through medical school and medicine.
Service-Focused Initiatives
- Led a school-wide clothing drive, donating over 1,500+ items to local shelters.
- Created cards and handmade bracelets for patients in hospice and hospitals to spread compassion and hope.
Upper Saint Clair H.S. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
High School: Upper Saint Clair High School in Pittsburgh, PA
Photos shared by Pari Varshney
President, Upper Saint Clair High School HSAFP Chapter 2024–2025
Besides participating in HSAFP’s curriculum this school year, in February, Upper Saint Clair High School’s HSAFP Chapter hosted an Emergency Doctor Q&A session and learned about Bag-Valve-Mask Ventilation and how to use different medical tools, like laryngoscopes.
Green High School HSAFP Chapter Highlights
High School: Green Hope High School in Cary, NC
By Melina Megaly
President, Green Hope High School HSAFP Chapter 2024–2025
Green Hope High School’s HSAFP Chapter has had a busy year, focusing on AAMC Core Competencies such as “Commitment to Learning and Growth” and “Service Orientation.” This school year, we:
- Invited medical student from Duke University as a guest speaker.
- Volunteered and contributed 10 hours to Sunrise Senior Living Cary.
- Invited a pediatrician from Cornerstone Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine as a guest speaker.
Next Year with HSAFP
We’ve got a LOT more planned for next year, and even though it’s summer break, we’re already looking forward to the terrific activities your chapters will plan!
Interested in joining the fun? Join or create an HSAFP chapter at your high school today!