Scrolling through CampusGroups’ listings for health inequality-related student organizations at Case Western Reserve University can be overwhelming. At the time of writing, 11 different clubs claim to address health inequities in Cleveland, with more added each year. These pre-med clubs often present themselves as focused on solving health inequality, but are they really making a difference, or are they just there to boost their exec’s medical school applications?

CWRU’s proximity to four major healthcare systems and its tier-1 medical school naturally attracts students eager to pursue healthcare careers. Yet, the rapid proliferation of premed organizations claiming, and failing, to effectively serve the local community has become a growing problem.

Many of these clubs use up valuable university resources—meeting spaces, funding and volunteer opportunities—without delivering significant community impact. Instead of creating lasting change, they often engage in surface-level projects like one-time health fairs—held on campus and majorly utilized by CWRU students—or awareness campaigns that fail to address root causes. These initiatives do little more than enhance resumes, diverting university funds from more effective, well-organized efforts.

A closer look at their work reveals a lack of continuity and measurable outcomes. Cleveland, like many urban areas, faces deeply rooted healthcare disparities. Addressing these issues requires sustained engagement and a deep understanding of the community’s needs. However, many pre-med clubs focus on short-term volunteerism—sometimes even “voluntourism”—where students log a few hours, take a couple of pictures and move on. These projects often emphasize easily quantifiable “successes” like volunteer numbers or food donations, which may look good on applications but fail to make a lasting impact. It’s unclear if this is due to a lack of knowledge or malicious intent.

Not all health-related clubs on campus are guilty of this. Some, like Partners in Health, genuinely build relationships with local organizations and contribute meaningfully to their causes. However, clubs that exist mainly for resume padding undermine these sincere efforts, sometimes even raising expectations in the community only to disappear when it’s no longer convenient.

Students today face immense pressure to stand out in a competitive medical school admissions process, and community service has become commodified—a box to check rather than a meaningful act. However, as future healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility to engage in service that genuinely helps. The Cleveland community deserves more than a revolving door of volunteers with no long-term commitment.

CWRU should address this issue by ensuring that clubs meet specific community engagement standards before receiving approval or resources. The Undergraduate Student Government should encourage the federation of similar clubs, and mentorship and partnership programs should be expanded. Students should work with established organizations with a proven record of community service rather than starting new clubs for the sake of it. Pooling resources and collaborating with public health experts and medical humanities could create a far greater community impact.

Pre-med students are part of the future of healthcare, and their service should reflect a real commitment to improving lives—not just padding resumes.

To help Cleveland meaningfully, we must move beyond performative activism and strive for real, lasting change.