TOMS RIVER – One local student’s hard work has paid off with a nomination for a prestigious honors program.
Kaylynn Gerrity, 16, a junior at Donovan Catholic High School has been nominated as a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Lowell, MA. The Congress of Future Medical Leaders is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields.
The event, which is scheduled for June 24-26, 2020, is meant to inspire and motivate the top students from around the country interested in medical careers, “to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal,” according to the district.
Kaylynn is a lifelong Toms River resident who has spent her high school career getting involved and making a difference in any way she can.
“I play softball and am in several clubs at Donovan that involve helping under privileged children in our community with their homework and playing with them. In the summer, I volunteer two weeks every summer to help out special needs children at St. Jose’s Roman Catholic Church,” she told Jersey Shore Online.
Kaylynn’s goal is to attend a competitive college where she can begin her path to becoming a pediatric surgeon.
She credits her nomination to her academic success thus far, noting that she is in a few of Toms River’s IB (International Baccalaureate) and AP classes.
“Upon graduation next year, I will have at least 10 college credits. I am also currently ranked in the top 20% of my class, something that has taken lots of hard work to achieve,” she added.
Kaylynn’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent Donovan Catholic High School and New Jersey based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.
“When I received the nomination, I didn’t know what to think at first. I was shocked but really excited,” said Kaylynn. “I can’t wait to attend the event in June and get to meet with my peers and some of the current and former leaders in the medical field.”
During the event in June, Kaylynn will get together with like-minded students from across the country to hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; get advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.
The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists offers free services and programs to students who want to become physicians or go into medical science, including:
- Online social networks through which future doctors and medical scientists can communicate
- Opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by physicians and medical students
- Communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance and more
For more information on the Academy, visit FutureDocs.com or call 617-307-7425.
