We had the good fortune of connecting with Irene Oh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Irene, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been volunteering in my community every week since I was eleven years old through my local church, refugee centers, and community events. Through these experiences, I met many people who lacked even the most basic medical and personal care resources, which made me realize how deeply people are in need of care. At the same time, I noticed that many students like me who were passionate about medicine and research had limited access to meaningful opportunities, mentors, or structured guidance. That inspired me to start MedSearch, a student-led nonprofit that connects youth to educational and medical opportunities while encouraging them to give back to the community through service projects like first aid kit donations and care drives.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
MedSearch is a student-led nonprofit organization that aims to guide youth in their search for medical and educational opportunities while providing essential care to those in need. What sets us apart is that we bridge student opportunity with community service. Our members explore medicine through free programs, internships, and competitions while also giving back to hospitals, shelters, and refugee centers through first aid kit drives, care kit donations, care craft initiatives, and other outreach projects.

What I am most proud of is how global and collaborative MedSearch has become. We have grown to a network of more than 4,200 members and over 70 chapters worldwide. We currently support more than ten active research groups led by students and mentors from institutions such as Tufts University, Cornell University, Georgia Tech, and others. One of our most exciting partnerships has been with the University of California, Irvine’s PHIT (Public Health Informatics and Technology) Program, where we hosted a collaborative session to inspire students to pursue careers in public health technology and research.

Getting to where we are today was not easy. Building a reliable structure, coordinating international teams, and earning the trust of mentors and partner organizations was especially challenging at a young age. Another obstacle we faced was mentor withdrawal in the middle of programs, which required quick reorganization and communication with participants to keep everything on track. Through persistence, adaptability, and teamwork, I learned that leadership is not about doing everything alone but about empowering others to share the same vision and grow together.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned along the way is that age should never limit impact. When you combine passion with purpose, even small projects can spark meaningful change. What I want the world to know about MedSearch is that it represents the power of youth-led collaboration and the belief that students everywhere have the potential to make a difference in health, education, and community well-being.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: We would begin at Suwanee Town Center, one of my favorite places to relax and walk around. We could get ice cream, take pictures by the fountain, and hang out in the park while watching the sunset. If there is a local concert or food truck event happening that day, we would stay to enjoy the live music and community atmosphere.

Day 2: I would take them to H-Mart in Suwanee, where there are so many amazing food options. We would eat at Jaws Tteokbokki, which is inside the H-Mart food court, and try Korean street foods like tteokbokki, odeng, and kimbap. After that, we could pick up some Korean snacks and mochi ice cream before heading home.

Day 3: We would spend the day in Atlanta, visiting Ponce City Market and Georgia Tech, two places that really inspire me. I first went to Ponce City Market on a school field trip and loved its creative and lively atmosphere. We would shop at small local stores, grab lunch at one of the food stalls, and maybe go up to the rooftop for the city view. Then we could stop by Georgia Tech’s campus to walk around, visit the museum or bookstore, and take photos before finishing the day with a stroll on the Atlanta BeltLine or a visit to the Georgia Aquarium and Centennial Olympic Park.

Day 4: I would take them to Avalon in Alpharetta, where we could spend the day shopping at different stores, eating at restaurants like Superica or Antico Pizza, and relaxing outdoors near the green space with lights and music in the evening. It has such a cozy and modern vibe that makes it perfect for spending the whole day there.

Day 5: Back near Suwanee, we could visit Sims Lake Park or George Pierce Park for a peaceful nature walk and take some photos by the lake. Afterwards, we could grab dinner at CM Chicken or K BBQ Garden, two of my favorite spots nearby. If we still have energy, we might stop by a boba place like Kung Fu Tea or Sharetea before heading home.

Day 6: We would plan something fun at Sugar Hill Town Center, which has great restaurants, cafés, and a beautiful open area to walk around. We could have dinner at Central City Tavern or Crazy Dough’s Pizza, then grab dessert at Scoops Ice Cream. If there is a live event or movie night at the outdoor stage, we would definitely stay and enjoy it together.

Day 7: To end the trip, we would do something meaningful together like volunteering at a refugee center or local shelter. It would be a great way to reflect on the week and give back to the community that has given me so many opportunities. After volunteering, we would have a relaxed dinner with my family to end the trip on a warm note.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would definitely dedicate my shoutout to the incredible mentors, volunteers, and students who make up the MedSearch community. Every program, project, and idea I’ve worked on has only been possible because of the people who believed in the mission and worked alongside me to make it real. From the mentors who dedicate their time to guiding students from around the world, to the volunteers who lead donation drives and outreach projects in their local communities, their passion keeps me motivated every day.

I also want to thank my mom and grandparents for supporting me since I first started volunteering at eleven years old. They taught me the importance of helping others and showed me that true leadership comes from empathy, compassion, and hard work. And of course, my sister, who serves as MedSearch’s Vice President, has been by my side since the very beginning. Her constant support, creativity, and teamwork have helped shape so many of our projects and successes. MedSearch would not be what it is today without the encouragement and dedication of my family and the incredible community that continues to grow with us.

Website: https://mymedsearch.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/med_search/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mymedsearch/

Image Credits
MedSearch Rancho Cucamonga High School Chapter
MedSearch Mounds View High School Chapter
MedSearch Orange County School of Art Chapter

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