From Classroom to Clinic

March 10, 2025 - by Rebecca Handler

For students at East Palo Alto Academy and Eastside College Preparatory School, the dream of pursuing a career in medicine became more tangible this year thanks to the Stanford Health Career Collaborative (HCC).

The Stanford HCC chapter, founded and led by Stanford MD students since 2018, provides mentorship and hands-on experiences to high school students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in medicine. Through speaker sessions, clinical skills workshops, and an annual field trip to Stanford Medicine, HCC opens doors to diverse careers in healthcare – empowering students to see themselves in the field. Liana Gefter, MD, a Stanford Medicine alum, serves as the national coordinator for the overall HCC organization, supporting chapters across the country.

Each year, HCC brings 20-30 students to Stanford’s campus for a transformative day of discovery. This year’s field trip immersed students in cutting-edge medical technology and hands-on experiences, allowing them to step into the shoes of future healthcare professionals. 

The day began in the Division of Clinical Anatomy, where students engaged with human prosections, examining real brain, heart, and liver specimens. In the pathology demonstration, students swabbed their cheek cells and visualized them under a microscope, staining them using the same kits real pathologists use. For many, this was their first time seeing their own cells, an experience that made the abstract concept of cellular biology suddenly more concrete. 

"I believe there’s no better way to learn than through hands-on experience,” shares Sofi Vergara, a third-year medical student who helped lead the demonstration. “Many of our students hadn’t even started biology yet, so rather than just hearing about cell structure, they got to see it themselves – staining their own cells with the same kits real pathologists use. I hope that when they study for exams, they’ll remember this moment – the moment they realized science isn’t just something to read about; it’s something you can see, touch, and do."

Vergara also emphasized the profound impact of representation in medicine. “As a Latina in medicine, I understand how vital it is for students from underrepresented backgrounds to see themselves in this field.” In California, where Latinos make up 40% of the population, she underscores the need for physicians who truly understand the unique healthcare challenges these communities face. “Mentorship isn’t just about inspiring the next generation – it’s about actively shaping a more inclusive and representative future for medicine,” she reflects.

Students then moved on to the Goodyer Lab, where they observed beating induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac muscle cells in a dish. Seeing heart cells contract in real-time provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of cardiovascular research and the techniques used to study disease and potential treatments.

At the Goodman Surgical Education Center, students were given the opportunity to practice using laparoscopic surgical tools. Navigating objects with only a video feed, they experienced firsthand the precision required for minimally invasive procedures. One of the most exciting moments of the day came with the Da Vinci surgical robot demonstration. Using a console similar to the Da Vinci system used in real surgeries, students controlled robotic arms to move microscopic objects from point A to point B. 

The experience culminated in a special ceremony where students received completion certificates, marking their year-long participation in the HCC program. For many, this moment solidified their aspirations to pursue careers in medicine.

Johnny General Powell, 2nd year medical student:

“Investing time in people has been a highlight of my Stanford experience thus far, and this is especially true of mentorship through HCC. As an underrepresented identity in medicine, I am grateful for opportunities to empower younger versions of myself toward healthcare careers. Hosting students at Stanford for our annual field trip offers an entirely new level of exposure. Working with first-class medical technology in one of the world’s most innovative medical centers is truly a privilege, and I am honored that we can open our doors to inspire the next generation!”

Lauren Duan, 3rd year MD/PhD student:

"I've been fortunate enough to have worked with HCC and the students at East Palo Alto Academy since 2022, and seeing the group grow and expand to Eastside Prep has been so exciting. I'm especially grateful for the chance to bring the students into Goodman. It’s awesome to think that these high school students are being exposed to surgical techniques and tools that I’ve barely even worked with, even as a medical student. We benefit greatly from the generosity of the Stanford Medicine community, and I hope that exposure to new aspects of healthcare will continue to inspire our students to enter the field."

Vivian Bao-An Tien, 3rd year undergraduate:

"Working with Stanford HCC has been so rewarding. From running suturing workshops with the Department of Surgery to hosting guest speakers, we’ve tried to find many different ways to introduce the students to career paths in healthcare. Hosting the field trip really captured HCC’s mission. I loved talking with the students at the end of the day and hearing about how they loved seeing the DaVinci surgical robot demo or holding a human heart."

Vaithish Velazhahan, 2nd year medical student:

"The field trip is one of my favorite events of the year where students get to see and try the hands-on cutting-edge tools we use in medicine, such as laparoscopic robots. The field trip is the culmination of their year-long learning as part of the HCC program, and it really made my day to see them receive their completion certificates. I’m so excited for those graduating and about to enter the future of our healthcare workforce, and we are honored to be a small part of their journey."

The success of HCC would not be possible without the generous support of the Department of Surgery, the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, the Community Partnership Program, the Division of Clinical Anatomy, and the Goodman Surgical Education Center, as well as the dedicated volunteers and research labs who contribute their time and expertise. Special thanks to Dr. Jennifer Williams MD, Dr. Jennifer Camacho MD, Dr. Damanpreet Grewal MD, Dr. Jonathan Shaw MD, Dr. Jill Helms, DDS, PhD and Dr. Varvara Kirchner, MD, for their physician leadership and commitment to this program.

By fostering mentorship and providing hands-on learning opportunities, HCC is shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.