At the heart of DSST College View’s Pre-Med Club is a story of resilience, representation, and radical hope. Jimena Jimenez, a College View student leader with a dream of becoming a physician, has transformed a simple idea into a thriving community, one that uplifts, educates and empowers students to imagine themselves in scrubs, lab coats and leadership roles.
“Growing up in a Latino household, I saw early on what resilience looked like,” Jimenez shared. “My family didn’t always have access to the best healthcare, and language barriers made it hard for them to get the help they needed. Watching my parents navigate complicated systems with patience, even when it felt unfair, didn’t discourage me. It motivated me.”
That motivation sparked the creation of the Pre-Med Club, a student-led initiative that has grown into a space of belonging and ambition.
“I hoped to help others explore the medical world with volunteer hours that aligned with their interests,” Jimenez said. “The club is one of the few places where people genuinely care, and not just about building up your resume or college app. It reminds me that our journey isn’t a competition. It’s something we strive for together.”
Jason Mayberry, Bioscience Teacher and the club’s faculty sponsor, didn’t hesitate when Jimena approached him. “I immediately saw that it could be a powerful club for my students,” he said. “It has been 100% student-led from the beginning. Jimena, Chuy, and a few others have been the stars. Every meeting, every volunteer activity, every idea, it’s all them.”
The club’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom. From organizing service projects to planning an international trip, students have taken the reins with purpose and pride.
“I was so proud to see them coordinating efforts and going out to serve their community,” Mayberry said. “Experiences like this give them a glimpse of the difference they could make in the medical field.”
For Jimenez, the club is more than a stepping stone.
“It helped me realize I’m not insane for wanting such a big dream,” she said. “There’s a whole community that understands the struggles of how I grew up and celebrates the small wins. It helped me believe that my dream of being a doctor is valid, realistic, and worth chasing.”
Representation is a recurring theme in both Jimenez’s and Mayberry’s reflections.
“Representation isn’t just a box to check, it’s a lifeline,” Jimena emphasized. “When Latinx and Hispanic students see themselves reflected in scrubs, lab coats, and leadership roles, it tells them ‘you can be there too.’ Our communities bring culture, language, empathy, and lived experience into medicine, things that aren’t teachable by a textbook.”
Jason echoed this sentiment.
“Seeing others like them in health careers shows students that they can do it. I fear that our society often tells minority students they aren’t smart or capable enough for challenging careers like medicine, but that’s so wrong. These students are just as smart and capable as any I’ve ever taught," Mayberry shared. "For many people, seeing doctors and nurses who share their cultural background and experiences can go a long way toward them feeling comfortable going to the doctor, knowing that they will be heard and seen."
Jimenez’s grandmother, a healer in her community, remains one of her greatest inspirations. “She was never formally educated in medicine, but she was the woman we all came to for help. I hope to embody her as a physician.”
As Hispanic Heritage Month continues to unfold, Jimenez’s story reminds us of the power of dreaming boldly and leading with heart. Her advice to other Latine students?
“You belong here. Don’t let yourself be your worst enemy. Never be afraid of taking up space. Our community needs more voices, not just for representation, but for actual change."
