Health Science and Service Learning with Trinity Medical Humanitarian Association
At the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement, we see many student organizations volunteering, hosting events for the community in and beyond Trinity, and launching new initiatives. One of the newest organizations to emerge from the office is a merger between Doctors Without Borders at Trinity and the Trinity Collegiate Health Service Corps. This newly formed student group is called the Trinity Medical Humanitarian Association (TMHA).
The merger has proven successful in bringing together like-minded students from both organizations who are interested in healthcare, public health, and the medical sciences. Together, they aim to educate and support students and community members who are passionate about health sciences and humanitarian work.
Reflecting on the organization’s origins and mission, founder Ella Schaffer ’27 shared: “I founded the Collegiate Health Service Corps Club during my freshman year to engage Trinity pre-health students with the greater Hartford community. Since then, the club has evolved into the Trinity Medical Humanitarian Association and remains committed to its original mission. It has become increasingly pronounced that health cannot be solely understood through studies in biology and chemistry. There are social, environmental, and structural factors that all impact one’s health. As such, the club attempts to develop Trinity pre-health students to be aware and knowledgeable about the complexity of health. Simultaneously, the club connects Trinity’s pre-health students through meaningful work and a joint interest in health, creating a supportive community.”
One of TMHA’s first events was a hands-on suturing workshop designed for pre-health students. This event was held in collaboration with the Trinity Chemistry Society, Triunity EMT Club, and the Pre-Veterinary Society. Led by Dr. Brown, the workshop provided participants with essential practical skills and an introduction to clinical techniques relevant to future health careers.
TMHA has also participated in the Light the Night Walk, which raises critical funds for the Blood Cancer United. These donations support life-saving cancer research and provide direct assistance to patients and families fighting blood cancer. Building on this advocacy, TMHA organized a discussion panel with Blood Cancer United, where speakers included a blood cancer patient, an oncologist, and a BCU representative, among others. shared insights on patient support, family resources, and preventative care. The event, held at Trinfo, welcomed Hartford families and community members seeking to learn more about the patient experience.
An annual program that both clubs previously supported, and now continue together is the American Red Cross Blood Drive, organized each semester by the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement. TMHA hosted a volunteer recruitment session and successfully encouraged many students to donate blood this semester. Other programming included developing health-focused lessons for Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy (HMTCA) students, holding a care-package event with the Angela Marotta Inho Foundation, and having students volunteer with the non-profit For All Ages through the Tea @ 3 program.
“Through our initiatives and projects this year, I think one of our most meaningful achievements has been the community we’ve built among pre-health students at Trinity. In a field where the demands can feel overwhelming at times, TMHA has become a space of connection, encouragement, and shared purpose. It’s a place where students are empowered to turn passion into action by bringing their ideas to life, learning skills that go beyond the classroom, and working together to make a tangible impact on the communities we serve.” – Shreyasi Oli
To wrap up the semester, TMHA hosted a Science and Health student panel featuring current Trinity STEM students discussing their academic journeys and extracurricular pathways toward health-related professions. Navigating STEM fields at a liberal arts college can sometimes be challenging, but this panel offered valuable guidance, resources, and personal insight.
The panelists in the discussion were: Amelia King ’26, Ella Schaffer ’27, Felix Schmidt ’26, Will Bannon ’28, Alexa Zambrano ’26, Emily Bala ’27, Betina Evans ’25, and Emma Anderson ’26. The event was co-sponsored by several STEM-focused student organizations, highlighting TMHA’s collaborative and intentional approach to building awareness of health and science opportunities on campus.
Through their programming, partnerships, and commitment to service, the Trinity Medical Humanitarian Association is creating meaningful connections between Trinity students and the greater Hartford community, while encouraging and supporting the next generation of health leaders. A very active organization on campus, it has shown there are so many ways to collaborate with the community and engage with partners that show an altruistic vision of care and compassion in promoting the well-being of others.
