After the final bell rings, students stay behind, gathering in a classroom to practice checking blood pressure and discuss real-life medical situations. The Gibbons Medical Club gets a hands-on experience that goes beyond the regular school day.
“It’s a low-stress and friendly environment to gain additional knowledge about health care,” the moderator, Nurse Jessica Bachinski, said.
The Gibbons Medical Club was created to expose students to different healthcare careers, develop foundational medical knowledge, and promote health awareness. The club is open to all Gibbons students, especially those interested in pursuing careers in the medical field.
While many students have signed up to receive meeting notifications, about 15-20 students regularly attend the club’s monthly meetings. This allows members to actively participate, ask questions, and learn in a smaller group setting.
Bachinski provides guidance and ensures the club runs safely and smoothly. She wants students to have a better understanding of the medical profession before entering college and choosing a major.
“My role is to provide guidance, oversight, and support while encouraging student leadership,” Bachinski said.
Hands-on learning is a major part of the Medical Club. Members have practiced skills such as intramuscular (the administration of medication directly into a muscle, allowing for rapid absorption into the bloodstream due to high vascularity), subcutaneous (situated or applied under the skin, specifically into the fatty layer between the skin and muscle), and intradermal injections (a shallow, superficial injection administered into the dermis layer of the skin, just below the epidermis, usually at a 5-to-15-degree angle), IV and phlebotomy techniques, and checking blood pressure and heart rate.
Hands-on practice helps students feel more confident and understand what healthcare work is really like.
“Exposure to real-world healthcare helps students feel more confident in their goals and validates their interest in pursuing a healthcare degree,” she said.
The club also invites guest speakers from many areas of healthcare, including pediatricians, psychiatrists, and cardiologists. These speakers share their experiences and help students learn about the many career opportunities in healthcare.
Students in the Medical Club gain early exposure to medical careers, academic preparation, and leadership experience. The club has a senior and two junior leaders who help organize meetings, notify members, and represent the club at events such as Gibbons Open House. They help with topics for future meetings.
Looking ahead, the Medical Club hopes to increase community outreach efforts. For students thinking about joining, it is intended to be a low-stress and friendly environment to gain additional knowledge about healthcare.
“You don’t need experience, just an interest in learning healthcare,” Bachinski said.
