Milton Hershey School Student Chosen for Congress of Future Medical Leaders

Hershey, Pa. – Omar Ahmad Barrada, a junior at Milton Hershey School®, has been selected to participate in the 2015 Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston, Mass. The three-day event is described as a gathering of “America’s highest achieving high school students.”

“I’m excited to learn about new areas of healthcare, set new goals and learn better study habits,” said Omar. “The event also will include a live surgery, during which we can ask the surgeons questions.”

The goal is to identify promising students interested in health care careers to spark a passion for medicine, as the U.S. faces a looming shortage of doctors and specialists.

Participants will have access to information about medical and scientific breakthroughs like 3-D printing of body parts, nanotechnology, regenerative medicine and stem-cell research. Students also will meet with Nobel Prize winners, award-winning inventors, deans of top medical schools and leaders in the field of medicine.

“Omar is a very well-rounded student who has set clear goals for his future in health care,” said Linda Rooney Davis, MHS health occupation teacher. “The curriculum we offer at MHS, with classes in medical terminology, vital signs and disease pathophysiology, is helping him to prepare for the rigors of postsecondary study. We also help our students earn health care certifications. Omar is well on his way to a bright future in health care.”

Through Milton Hershey School’s Career/Technical Education program, Omar is already well-versed in the concepts he will study in medical school. He is considering pursuing physical therapy or sports medicine, but is keeping his options open. He notes that this event will be a great opportunity to determine a future specialty.

“Milton Hershey School put me on a path to earning a nomination to this congress,” said Omar. “In addition to my health care classes, I’ve also had the chance to experience rotations in a hospital, participate in hands-on learning opportunities and earn several certifications. I’m also looking forward this summer to shadowing a local physical therapist. MHS made it all possible.”

Learn more about Milton Hershey School at mhskids.org.

Featured

  • URI Cuts Underwater Ribbon on New Ocean Robotics Laboratory

    The University of Rhode Island recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Ocean Robotics Laboratory at its Narragansett Bay Campus, according to a news release. Two students used a remotely operated vehicle to cut an underwater ribbon in a 30-by-20-foot test tank.

  • University of Pennsylvania Releases Design of Future Physical Sciences Building

    The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) in Philadelphia, Penn., recently released renderings of an upcoming 350,000-square-foot Physical Sciences Building, according to news release. The facility was designed by CO Architects and will unite the university’s departments of Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, and Earth and Environmental Science.

  • Barbara Vick Western Branch

    Barbara Vick Western Branch

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Barbara Vick Western Branch has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.