Despite school, a job at a hospital, competing in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) events and participating in extracurriculars, senior Alexander Madhloom is determined to pursue his passion for medicine and make an impact on people lives.
“Taking care of my younger brother with autism made me realize how much I enjoy helping others, especially in a way that directly improves their lives,” Madhloom said.
Beginning at home, his passion for helping others led Madhloom to success in HOSA. Last and this year Madhlooom placed first in the Job Seeking Skills event. He also received the Macomb Career and Technical Administrators Association Exceptional Student Award.
“He is the type of student who actively pursues every educational opportunity that comes his way,” medical science teacher Jill Bologna said.
Madhloom participated in the Macomb Future Doctors program where he practiced hands-on skills and also joined the Gift of Life campaign as a student liaison for educating his classmates on the importance of organ donation. He is also a highly valued team member at the hospital he works at.
“I’ve learned to stay organized and set realistic goals for myself. Motivation comes from my passion for medicine and the impact I can make,” Madhloom said.
Using a planner to map out deadlines, Madhloom tries to stay ahead when possible. For the Job Seeking Skills HOSA event, he treated it like a real job application, researching and practicing interview skills and making sure he was prepared with different experiences to talk about.
“Alex has been a breath of fresh air for 4 South. He brings smiles to staff and patients,” Clinical Nurse Manager Jennifer Krajcirovic said.
From learning in school about diseases and anatomy to seeing how things realistically affect people in the hospital, Madhloom learned that medicine isn’t just about science—it’s about empathy, communication and being able to handle unpredictable situations. Problem-solving skills, learned in school, help Madhloom figure out how to help a patient or anticipate the needs of a nurse before they even ask.
“Personally, I plan to keep developing my leadership and communication skills because those are just as important as medical knowledge. Professionally, I want to explore different areas of medicine to see where I truly fit,” Madhloom said.
By studying biochemistry at the University of Michigan or Wayne State University, he hopes to continue his journey in health care. Madhloom also looks forward to gaining more hands-on experience in patient care and eventually going to medical school.
“I believe 100% that Alex will achieve his goal of becoming a physician. I look forward to keeping in touch with him after graduation to hear all about his success,” Bologna said.
Through Bologna’s influence, Madhloom was guided to compete in HOSA, apply for a hospital internship and take on challenges. From a teacher’s perspective, it is his ability to always put forth his best effort and his enthusiasm for learning that makes mentoring him so rewarding, according to Bologna.
“Healthcare is a field that demands excellence—you’re dealing with people’s lives and there’s no room for cutting corners. That motivates me to keep pushing myself academically and professionally,” Madhloom said. “I also love challenging myself, whether that’s through leadership competitions, science events or patient care. Each experience helps me grow and prepares me for the future.”
