MedForum: A Space for Learning and Friendship

At George School, students often enrich their academics and build lifelong friendships through extracurricular clubs. Flora Kim ’24 and Sanjana Bhattacharya ’24 started MedForum to explore the healthcare field, and in return, learned valuable lessons about themselves and each other.

“I’ve always known from a young age that I’ve wanted to go into the medical field,” said Sanjana. Wanting to get more involved on campus and create a space for individuals like herself, she reached out to a classmate for help.

“Flora and I were in the same Holistic Health class sophomore year. In a class activity, she talked about her interest in psychology. Even though we were not close at the time, I approached her and asked ‘hey, do you want to start this club with me?’” recounted Sanjana. “I knew she was like the right person to go to about this.”

“One of the courses we had together was Intensive Chemistry with Polly Lodge.” Flora added. “Once, we were up all night studying for an exam with really difficult material, and that’s when I knew that Sanjana was very passionate and serious about the sciences like me.”

“I liked the idea of creating a space for other students that were interested in the medical field.” Flora continued. “I know that a lot of students were interested but didn’t have a space to go to get resources or opportunities related to healthcare.”

Over the past two years, Flora and Sanjana have cultivated a tight knit group of students passionate about educating themselves and the community about the medical field. The club consists of mostly female members and has five club leaders led by Sanjana and Flora, who serve as co-presidents. While it wasn’t a part of their initial intent, the club provides a “women’s empowerment factor,” giving members an opportunity to connect on many levels.

“Being passionate about similar topics is really helpful because you can teach each other,” said Sanjana. “That’s our whole club dynamic.”

MedForum leaders often present on specific topics they’re interested in, ranging from cardiothoracic surgery or career paths they want to learn more about. “While we’re teaching others and informing others, we’re also informing ourselves,” Flora said.

They have also hosted a number of successful fundraisers benefiting local healthcare-related causes, including raising over 1,000 dollars for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, collecting clothes to donate to A Woman’s Place, and an annual Breast Cancer fundraiser in October. “The key part was collaboration with other organizations and the community on campus to create the largest impact,” Flora commented. “It was really nice to see everybody contributing in a positive way to the community,” added Sanjana.

Both students are International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma candidates, and hosted a Science Fair on behalf of MedForum last year as a part of their Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) Projects, which is an IB diploma requirement.

Aside from their involvement in MedForum, Sanjana and Flora stay busy on campus. Sanjana is a day student prefect, an admissions ambassador, and a member of SAMOSA (South Asian Affinity Group), while Flora is co-president of Student Council, the managing editor in chief for Curious George, a student leader of SEASU (Southeast/East Asian Student Union), and a member of the Student Inclusion Committee and the Inclusion Oversight Committee.

“We are all over campus with other responsibilities and want to achieve a lot, so it’s great to have each other when things get tough during exam season or rigorous courses like HL Biology,” said Flora. “She’s always there for me and I’m always there for her.”

“As the club grew, our friendship grew. It’s cheesy,” she joked.

While they may be seniors, Flora and Sanjana hope MedForum continues as a part of their legacy at George School. “We want to be at our 10-year reunion and see the club here thriving as an inclusive, mindful space for anybody that is thinking of some kind of healthcare field,” said Sanjana.

For Flora, the club served as a way of navigating her future career plans. “When I first started this club, I did not know if I could see myself in that kind of profession. Thanks to MedForum, I know my interests really lie more towards social justice and law.”

“That’s what clubs are there for, exploring different interests that you may have and meeting new friends along the way.”