By Nancy Gutierrez
Melinda Rios is only the third student ever from Lindsay High School to be selected to attend the National Leadership Forum on Medicine on July 6-15 in Houston, Texas.
The last time a LHS students was invited to attend was 1998.
Rios was nominated for the honor by biology teachers Marjean Beamer who noticed Rios' talent in math and science.
Beamer certified Rios as a student of high academic standing, with leadership potential and intent on pursuing a career in medicine. Even before entering high school Rios excelled in math and science and was accepted to a summer program on science at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
"She really does well in those areas," Melinda's mom Cindy Rios said.
This summer Rios will join 350 high school students from the U.S. and other countries in a mentoring program that exposes high school students to the medical profession. NYLF/MED challenges students to learn about a broad range of topics, including educational requirements, career options, clinical practice, and complex ethical and legal issues facing the medical profession today.
Students discuss global epidemics, cures for life-threatening disease, life as a resident, medical specialties, and primary care with current physicians and patients.
At the beginning of the forum students receive subject matter and supporting literature on the medical field and supplement this information throughout the program by talking with the doctors, researchers and medical students they meet throughout the course of their daily activities.
At the end of the week-long program the students will participate in a simulated exercise that challenges students to consider a specific issue in medical ethics and to present pertinent recommendations for approaching resolution and/or treatment for each case.
But before Melinda can attend the program she must pay $1,990 conference fee. Cindy said they may hold a yard sale to help with the cost. Anyone interested in donating money to help Melinda attend the forum on medicine can contact Cindy at the Lindsay Department of Public Safety at 562-2511.
