Juniors Jenna Adham and Yasmin Dennis launched the Linked Medical Club in September to foster their peers’ interest in medical careers and support healthcare access in underprivileged communities overseas.
As a person of Egyptian heritage, Jenna wants to provide some relief to critically ill patients in Egypt. She decided to harness her self-taught skill for jewelry making as a fundraiser for the Egypt Cancer Network 57357 Clinic in Cairo, Egypt. Yasmin has also learned the art by watching her friend at work.
“I’ve always had an interest in medicine since I was really little. I’ve been using butterfly needles on stuffed animals since I was five so we could practice as kids. Everything about medicine intrigues me,” Jenna said.
Jenna started making bracelets and rings two years ago but took a break until she brainstormed how she could raise money for her humanitarian mission. Beads painted with the Evil Eye are Jenna’s favorite components to incorporate into her jewelry designs. She sees them as a homage to her Egyptian background.
“I decided why not combine it with something I’m really passionate about, and I discovered Yasmin was really passionate about it too,” Jenna said. “Because I know so many people in Egypt and I want them to have amazing healthcare wherever they are, I thought it would be fitting to sell jewelry for a good cause.”
Linked Medical has a short-term goal of raising about $1,000 for the Egyptian cancer clinic. Jenna also plans to use her summer break to work at the clinic as a volunteer.
Yasmin traces her passion for the medical field to her mother who works as a dentist and previously served in Doctors Without Borders providing free dental care in Iraq.
“She had her own practice, so I grew up in the environment with her as the boss of her own office and I learned those leadership skills of people working together for a great cause,” Yasmin said.
In addition to their international efforts, Linked Medical is partnering with the Doctors of Tomorrow Club to host medical specialists who can speak with students about healthcare career pathways. Linked Medical is also working to bring an Epilepsy Foundation representative to certify students for CPR, First Aid, AED use, epilepsy recognition and more.
After graduating from college, Yasmin plans to pursue pediatrics and Jenna aims to pursue cardiovascular surgery.
Linked Medical will sell their accessories at the Artisan Fair on Sunday, December 4 at the Environmental Nature Center, 1601 E. 16th St. in Newport Beach. For more information about Linked Medical, visit its
website or follow the Instagram handle
@Linked.Medical.