Bryant & Stratton College Allied Health Club Helps Community and Each Other

The most important word in the title of this student group is “allied.” Together, they raise money to help local nonprofits. Together, they host blood drives to bring much-needed blood to the sick. Together, they are students from both medical and non-medical fields, driven by a single mission: to help their community.

“I personally like the enthusiasm our club brings to brainstorming ideas for fundraisers and deciding where to donate our funds,” said Len Lukasik, president of the Allied Health Club at the Bryant & Stratton College Milwaukee Campus. “We work together to help each other in so many different ways that we are almost like a big family. It shows how our club members support one student who asks for club participation and then receives a bunch of volunteers to help out at an event,” he added.

Annual Fundraising Efforts

Every year, the club holds at least six fundraisers. Each time, the profits are donated to a local organization such as the American Red Cross, the AIDS Resource Center, or the Milwaukee Women’s Center, among others. And each time you see a blood drive on-campus, that too is the work of the Allied Health Club as they partner with the Blood Center of Wisconsin. Student membership is free. Each member is only asked to give “time, treasure, or talent,” Lukasik said.

What they gain is immeasurable. Lukasik explained that through their volunteer work, the students have an opportunity to build soft skills in teamwork and leadership roles. They are also able to network with executives from each of the local organizations and build connections that will help them in the workplace after graduation. Boakai Paasewe, MD, director of the Allied Health Club, said this opportunity for students to work in the community gives them a competitive advantage.

Community Impact and Learning

“These students learn the importance of giving back to the community, which is very important for their chosen field of work,” he said. “In addition, they learn about time management and prioritizing.”

Club members not only help the community outside campus walls but inside their own classrooms as well. Students in this club look to each other for guidance when they are struggling with a class assignment. Paasewe said since the club is made up of students from various academic levels, it is easy to find a mentor or tutor in the group if you need help.

“A student who is working and going to school, and finding it difficult to find time to study, will find a student in a similar situation who is succeeding,” he said. And working together, they will both succeed.