Emily Bludnicki: President of the UConn Medical Humanitarian Society

Name of Interviewee: Emily Bludnicki

Year & Major: Junior / Allied Health 

Hometown: Wallingford, CT

Q: Can you tell me about the organization you’re involved in?

A: The UConn Medical Humanitarian Society is a non-profit organization that is involved in community service work, fundraising efforts, and medical mission trips. Most of our members are pre-med or pre-dental because our meetings focus on a wide variety of pre-med efforts, but we really encourage anyone with an interest in medicine or volunteering to join.

Q: What is your position in the club and how long have you been involved?

A: I’m the current President of MHS and I’ve been involved since my first semester freshman year.

Q: How did you find out about MHS? 

A: The Involvement Fair! I wanted to be a part of a club that not only aligned with my major but also participated in volunteer efforts, and this one fit perfectly.

Q: What kind of activities / trips does your club do? 

A: For meetings, we do anything from practical triage training to listening to guest lecturers from UConn Health. We host open mic-nights and other fundraising events, and raise awareness for various medical causes. We do an annual major trip to a third-world country to provide medical aid and supplies to underprivileged populations. We get to work in clinics and do a lot of hands-on work that you’re typically not able to do in the US, which provides great experience to our members.

Q: Can you tell me a bit about the mission trip you went on?

A: Last January, a dozen of us went to La Antigua, Guatemala for two weeks. We were able to work in clinics alongside doctors and nurses, provide medical aid to people who hadn’t seen a doctor in years, and even diagnose a few patients. A lot of people we saw lived in extreme poverty, and it was amazing to see some of the kids that were so happy with almost nothing. It really gives you a whole new outlook on life, and how thankful we should be to have what we do.

Q: Any funny stories from your trip?

A: When we were hiking down a volcano, my friend Cynthia was recording herself on my GoPro and completely wiped out. The best part is that we still have the footage, which we show to our new members every semester.

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about the mission trip for this year? 

A: This year MHS is going to Quito, Ecuador for two weeks in January, where our members will be working in and around the city in various clinics. 

Q: How can people get involved with your club?

A: By attending meetings! We have weekly meetings in the Student Union in Room 410 every Tuesday at 7. Anyone is welcome to join!

All images courtesy of Emily Bludnicki. 

• guatemala
• medical
• UConn
• volunteer