For someone who comes from a family of engineers, choosing the medical path may seem unfamiliar and intimidating. However, senior HOSA co-president Ayush Dane is proving that not only is it possible, but that it can also be a way to help others.

“I’ve met so many different people from different backgrounds, especially students, and those who come from underserved areas,” Dane said. “I just want to make sure that every single student gets what they deserve because life is unfair, and not everyone can get opportunities.

Dane understood that in the medical field, connections were crucial, however, it was challenging for him to find someone with medical expertise, willing to help. So with the help of his friend, Riya Kulkarni from Lebanon Trail, Dane decided to start Medify, a student non-profit that helps high school students explore careers in healthcare through mentorship, volunteering, and educational events. 

“It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come since starting Medify in 2023,” Riya said. “ Ayush and I have turned the shared vision we had for this organization into something that truly has a real community impact, and can help high school students get involved too.”

Dane’s goal for Medify was to get students the resources that they can’t easily get outside. This includes family contacts, connections to doctors, and hosting webinars about specific types of medicine.

“While building Medify, it was just a lot of going to different hospitals, and contacting a lot of people,” Dane said. “That’s when I also started my LinkedIn.

Dane works to ensure students understand medical school is not the only career path. Careers such as physical assistant and physical therapy are examples of occupations which do not require medical school.

“Sometimes people think about medicine as a really long pathway, like ten to twenty years, but it’s really not that,” Dane said. “There’s so many more things that you can do in the medical field, and it’s not only confined to you going to medical school. So we work to ensure that students are more aware of what opportunities are available for them.”

Dane’s dedication to healthcare extends beyond school, as he pursues experiences such as pharmacy technician training, EMT training, internships, and volunteering at nursing homes. These experiences strengthen the perspective and commitment he brings to HOSA. 

“As co-president of HOSA, Ayush is a responsible, collaborative, and dependable leader,” HOSA’s sponsor Laura Stubblefield said. “He leads with maturity and respect, and he consistently works to create an environment where students feel comfortable taking initiative. His strong commitment to HOSA make him a valuable asset to the organization and a pleasure to work with as a student leader.”

Dane plans to major in public health and possibly go into public policy, the CDC, or the UN. His main goal is still medical school and becoming a thoracic surgeon, while continuing to help people along the way. He has learned plentiful through all his experiences, and offers advice to high schoolers who want to step out of their comfort zone and achieve something big.

“Don’t be afraid to do what you want to,” Dane said. “Sometimes things work out even when they seem like they’re not going to. The biggest mistake people make is thinking that they have a lot of time in their lives. So if you’re someone who likes to start different things and meet new people, go for every opportunity that you can.”