For students at Emory School of Medicine, Emory Day of Giving was more than a fundraising event—it was a chance to extend care beyond the classroom and hospital walls. This year, a team of medical and physician assistant students raised $6,560 to support Jornada de Salud, a monthly, student-run health screening clinic serving the Spanish-speaking community in Gwinnett County.

The clinic offers free testing for blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose (including A1C), and lipids, services that can mean the difference between early intervention and life-threatening complications. “We see an average of 15–30 patients per clinic and usually make at least one critical diagnosis, such as urgent hypertension or uncontrolled diabetes, in a population that has limited access to care,” says Carson Chruscicki 28M, a first-time fundraising volunteer.

For Chruscicki, the cause is personal. Growing up, she didn’t always have consistent access to health care, and she understands the uncertainty and risks that can come with delayed diagnoses. She also knows how overwhelming it can be to navigate the medical system—and can’t imagine the added challenge of doing so in a second language. That’s one reason Emory’s offering of medical Spanish workshops drew her to the program in the first place.

Fellow student Sarah Samaranayake 20C 21G 26M shares that commitment. She has long been interested in improving health outcomes for Latinx populations, particularly those who face systemic barriers to care. To rally donors, Samaranayake got creative—calculating and highlighting the low cost of services like glucose testing or blood pressure cuffs and creating a “bingo card” for her Instagram stories to gamify giving. “It helped people see exactly where their money was going,” she says. “It made giving fun and tangible, and I think that inspired more people to get involved.”

“Seeing donations come in from people I knew—and even some I didn’t—was incredibly motivating,” Chruscicki says. Samaranayake adds, “It was exciting to watch my network get invested in the cause and realize they could make a real difference from afar.”

The funds raised will support care for up to 500 patients over the next two years, helping cover essential supplies and equipment. Even more, the boost will allow students to explore expanding services—such as mammography, HIV testing, dental care, and vision screenings—by applying for grants and partnering with community organizations.

By channeling the energy of Emory Day of Giving into direct patient care, these future health care professionals proved that collective generosity can make an immediate, tangible difference. And for the hundreds of community members who will benefit from expanded screenings and earlier diagnoses, the impact will last far beyond a single day.