ST. FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR ATTENDED CONGRESS OF FUTURE MEDICAL LEADERS IN D.C.

Tom Gitchell, current senior at St. Francis High School, recently attended the three-day Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Washington, D.C.  Based on his academic achievements, Gitchell was nominated by Dr. Connie Mariano, Medical Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to join other top performing students across the nation who wish to pursue educations and careers in the medical field.

The theme of this year’s Congress was “In the Presence of Greatness” and Tom Gitchell said it “was an amazing experience.  I had the opportunity to hear from some of the most intelligent minds in the scientific community.”  Students attending were given opportunities to witness a surgery and question the surgeon during the procedure; listen to and meet speakers including Nobel Prize laureates and leaders in medical industries; and learn about state-of-the-art medical technologies.

“The coolest part was that the Nobel laureate speakers were just as excited to see us as we were to see them.  They showed us that the future of medicine is in our hands and it is up to us, the future doctors, to advance the new technologies that were demonstrated to us, such as robotic surgery, genetic testing, stem cells, 3D printing and cancer treatments,” said Gitchell.

At the conclusion of the Congress, all participants received the National Society of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Award of Achievement and were promised free services, programs and connections to guide them through their journey toward reaching their medical career goals.

Tom Gitchell will receive college credit for his participation.