Empathy in Medicine Initiative EIMI Launches Student Chapter Program for High School and College Students
Student-led nonprofit creates program offering a structured way for students to start empathy- and communication-focused clubs and community projects using practical resources
United States, 26th Feb 2026 —Empathy in Medicine Initiative (EIMI), a student-led nonprofit based in Great Neck, New York, today announced the launch of its Student Chapter Program for high school and college students. The program provides a structured way for students who are interested in healthcare to start empathy- and communication-focused clubs and community projects. EIMI provides student groups with practical resources like toolkits, templates, and communication scripts.
“Our goal is to instill an ethos of empathy in the entire healthcare ecosystem,” explained Kevin Lin, Founder and Director of EIMI. “This is a process that starts with educating the people who work in the healthcare system, from end to end. However, in our view, empathy in healthcare shouldn’t require extensive training programs. Rather, small, practical tools can make a meaningful difference in patient care and clinician well-being. Our mission is to operationalize these ideas.”
As Lin further noted, many of today’s high school and college students want to assume meaningful roles in healthcare. Their goals range from entering professional careers to serving as advocates and volunteers—or even simply serving as a family care provider. This latter unpaid workload is increasingly common in American households as the Baby Boom generation continues to age, which places a caregiving burden on younger family members.
A desire for empathy is common in such healthcare-related leadership and service, but the world of health education lacks a clear structure and high-quality materials. EIMI addresses this deficit by lowering the barrier to starting sustainable, measurable initiatives centered on patient-centered communication and compassionate care.
The Impact of AI on Empathy in Healthcare
Recent technology trends are having an impact on empathy in healthcare. According to a 2025 study by KPMG, the global consultancy, 59% of Americans worry about a lack of empathy when it comes to AI usage in healthcare. “AI doesn’t have empathy,” Lin remarked. “It can be taught to fake it, but most people understand that a machine doesn’t really know how you feel about your health and treatment.”
Human-Centered Care
EIMI’s programming and materials emphasize human-centered care. The goal is to help patients feel heard, understood, and respected in every medical encounter. According to Lin, “We provide ready-to-use communication tools, including teach-back prompts, and agenda-setting cards that clinicians can use immediately to build trust. These tools are intended to reduce patient anxiety and improve understanding. They are easy to learn and use.”
Practical Tools
EIMI’s tools are simple and practical. Ready-to-use, they fit naturally and efficiently into clinical workflows. They come in downloadable PDF format, such as printable cards and pocket references. Alternatively, users can copy and paste text into electronic health record (EHR) systems. With these resources, EIMI program participants can implement setting-specific kits for primary care doctors, as well as for practitioners in emergency departments (EDs), pediatrics, and telehealth. They are all designed to integrate seamlessly into 15-minute appointments without extending visit length.
For example, EIMI’s simple “What Matters to Me Card,” which can be filled out before an appointment, enables the patient to communicate their values, fears, and priorities. The “Teach-Back Card” comprises a pocket reference that clinicians can use to confirm patient understanding without sounding condescending. An “Agenda-Setting Prompt” offers a visual reminder for practitioners to start every visit by asking the patient what matters most.
As Lin put it, “As we’ve all no doubt experienced, between clinicians being rushed and task-oriented, and patients being nervous, it’s easy to leave out truly important emotional factors that affect the patient experience and treatment outcomes. Our tools provide a quick prompt to address critical psychosocial aspects of medicine.” Further to that point, EIMI’s “Anxiety-Calming Script” contains suggested phrases that de-escalate anxiety during visits.
Program Overview and Goals
The EIMI program, as it will be adapted by the new student chapters, has three core goals:
- GOAL 1—Partner with Local Clinics—EIMI establishes partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities in the chapter’s local area. The chapter members introduce these entities to EIMI resources and help them integrate empathy tools into their practices.
- GOAL 2—Print & Distribute Cards—The chapter prints “What Matters to Me” cards and other toolkit materials, distributes them to partner clinics, and tracks usage to measure their impact.
- GOAL 3—Collect & Report Data—The chapter gathers feedback from clinics using EIMI tools. It collects data on patient satisfaction, clinician experience, and implementation challenges, and then sends reports back to the initiative for the purpose of continuous improvement in the program.
Traction to Date
EIMI’s platform is gaining traction in the healthcare community. The platform currently has 233 users and 73 applications (69 pending/in review). These numbers indicate strong early demand.
A Privacy-First Approach
EIMI is careful to ensure that its tools are designed for local use and compliance with healthcare privacy regulations. They do not collect patient data. EIMI only collects anonymous, organization-level usage statistics, e.g., Hospital X downloaded 50 toolkits. The materials contain no patient names, medical record numbers, or personal health information.
About the Empathy in Medicine Initiative (EIMI)
The Empathy in Medicine Initiative (EIMI) is a student-led non-profit organization based in Great Neck, New York (New York/Long Island metro area). EIMI is dedicated to improving empathy in healthcare. It realizes this goal by publishing a wide range of tools that clinicians and other people in the healthcare ecosystem, including patients and advocates, can use to improve communications in the healthcare delivery process. EIMI is a skills-building resource platform that offers toolkits, scripts, and templates for student clubs and service programs. It engages in recruiting, onboarding, and managing student ambassador/chapter networks.
For more information, visit https://empathyinmedicine.org/
Clinical Safety and Boundaries: EIMI does not offer medical advice. Its tools are intended to support communication, not clinical decision-making. All tools are designed for local, compliant use, without patient identifiers. Organizations are responsible for local compliance.
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Company Details
Organization: Empathy in Medicine Initiative (EIMI)
Contact Person: Kevin Lin
Website: https://empathyinmedicine.org/
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Release Id: 26022641978