04 February, 2026 – Most students who discover entrepreneurship through JA don’t imagine it will one day shape how they practice medicine. But for Jeremiah Philips, the mindset he developed as a student entrepreneur now informs how he approaches healthcare, innovation, and leadership on a global scale.
Today, Jeremiah is a third-year medical student, the founder of an education technology venture, and a national leader in medical education — roles that may seem distinct but are deeply connected. It was through JA that he first learned how complex problems can be tackled by building, testing, and iterating.
A graduate of North Surrey Secondary School in Surrey, B.C., Jeremiah entered the JA Company Program eager to explore, experiment, and learn by doing — without a fixed vision for where his path would lead.
One moment still stands out clearly. His student company had spent weeks planning, sourcing, and problem-solving — their business existing only in spreadsheets and presentations. Then the products arrived.
“Seeing the physical products in front of us made everything feel real for the first time,” Jeremiah recalls. “Once we started branding them for sale, I felt a genuine sense of excitement and pride. It was the moment I realized that we were actually building something.”
That hands-on experience marked Jeremiah’s first real exposure to entrepreneurship. More importantly, it introduced him to a mindset he didn’t know he was looking for. “JA helped me realize that building something from the ground up was something I genuinely enjoyed,” he says.
Motivated to continue developing the mindset sparked through JA, Jeremiah pursued a Bachelor and Master of Management dual degree at the University of British Columbia before achieving a long-held dream of pursuing medicine. Today, he is a third-year medical student at Dalhousie University, where he balances rigorous medical training with entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. Inspired by his JA experience, he also founded Clarify Student Resources, an education technology venture using data and AI to support students and educators, which has participated in accelerator programs, secured over $20,000 in funding, competed in national pitch competitions, and is preparing to trial its MVP.
Alongside this work, Jeremiah serves as the National Exchange Officer for the Canadian Federation of Medical Students and has co-led the development of a National Medical Student Datathon, bringing students together to tackle real-world healthcare challenges through data-driven, interdisciplinary collaboration.
Recently, Jeremiah returned to JA as a speaker for the World of Choices: Post-Secondary Pathways session — a moment that felt full circle. Having previously co-hosted JA’s Leadership Breakfast in 2023, coming back into the JA community felt especially meaningful.
“JA played a meaningful role in shaping my early decisions, so coming back felt really special…I wanted to be honest about the uncertainty and exploration that came with my journey. I know how much pressure students feel to have everything figured out right away.” – Jeremiah Philips
For Jeremiah, sharing his story isn’t about presenting a perfect roadmap — it’s about showing students that paths can evolve and growth often comes from exploration.
“It’s okay not to have everything figured out right away,” he says. “Focus on taking the next step that aligns with your curiosity and values. Try things, get involved, and don’t wait until you feel completely ready — clarity often comes from action.”
He also emphasizes the importance of mentorship.
“Talk to people. Seek out mentors. The perspectives you hear can open doors you didn’t even know existed.” – Jeremiah Philips
Looking ahead, Jeremiah is focused on continuing his medical training, launching Clarify Student Resources, and exploring where medicine, technology, and entrepreneurship meet — a journey rooted in curiosity, impact, and purpose.
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