Amidst the chaos of Sahiba Dhillon’s freshman year at Oak Park and River Forest High School, during online school and COVID-19, she noticed “a lack of medical clubs at the school,” she said. Med Club filled that gap and provided a community.

The club was founded in 2020 by Dhillon alongside 2023 alumni  Nadya Dhillon, her older sister, and Phoebe Tanacea. Sahiba Dhillon has been the club’s president for the past three years, transforming the medical sphere at OPRF by engaging her club in dissections, case studies, guest speakers, debates, art competitions and games of Jeopardy. These activities help members learn more about the human body, medicine and various medical careers open to them. 

Dhillon described Med Club as a “small but dedicated community of people that are genuinely interested in science and medicine.”

Allison Hennings, sponsor and science teacher, affirmed this, saying the club allows students to “be able to be exposed to many medical-related topics and experiences they may not otherwise be able to experience.”

To run the club successfully, leaders of the club include Public Relations Officer Rachel Chung, Event Coordinator Marina Sjoblom and Secretary Angelina McCracken. 

Dhillon is assisted by the officers, who take turns planning the meetings, according to McCracken. 

Under Dhillon’s leadership, the club has an “exceptionally welcoming” environment, according to Hennings. 

She consistently promotes the club, partners with medical organizations and ensures everyone’s voice is heard. “It’s a nice way for us to all have a chance to propose ideas and have fun with the members,” said McCracken.

Dhillon’s organizational skills and attention to detail encourage club members to continue to attend and explore the medical opportunities granted at Med Club. Hennings said, “Sahiba is a leader who is analytical and always adjusting to the needs of the club.” 

Despite Med Club’s attention to medicine, the club is also a great outlet for students who are interested in broadening their scientific knowledge. Med Club “teaches valuable lessons for life outside of the medical field,” Chung said.

As Dhillon moves on from OPRF, she plans to study environmental science and film production in college. However, Dhillon hopes to continue Med Club’s positive legacy on the OPRF community once she graduates. “It’s definitely worth it to check [Med Club] out…if you want to have fun,” said Sjoblom.

Next year, McCracken will become president and will fill the other officer positions under her leadership. “As Sahiba moves on from being the current president, we all wish Sahiba the best next year,” said Hennings.