GRC student learns from medical elite

From June 26 through June 28 the University of Massachusetts Lowell Campus played host to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders.

With a selective group of students nationwide present, one hailing from Clark County was among them.

Angela Taylor McCord, an incoming senior at George Rogers Clark High School, attended as a delegate after receiving a nomination.

“Since I was around seven years old, I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field,” said McCord.

As stated at the website of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, the Congress of Future Medical Leaders is a three-day honors program for high-achieving high school and college students seeking a career as a physician or medical scientist.

Among other requirements, a student must have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA, ACT score of 22, or SAT score of 1300.

A prestigious event, McCord’s nomination was signed by none other than Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists.

Yet during the three-day event, Dr. Capecchi was far from the only medical professional present.

Among others, McCord was able to learn from the likes of Dr. Timothy J. Nelson, whose work at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota focuses on cardiovascular regeneration using bioengineered stem cells.

Along with Capecchi, Grand Masters of the event included Leland Hartwell, who shared the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and Jocelyn Elders, who previously served as Surgeon General of the United States.

“A lot of these people just have done so many amazing things!” McCord said, adding that others presenting included youth who sought to assist with operations such as stem cell treatments and identifying ear infections. “I just was amazed at how young those kids were and how they were doing so many great things for our world and communities.”

McCord also had an opportunity to hear from those who had benefited from medical operations, including Carmen Blandin Tarleton – the first person in the United States and second person in the world to receive two face transplants.

“She was just the most optimistic person,” McCord said. “What she talked about was resiliency and how to overcome bad things and look at the positive side.”

Dr. Bohdan Pomahac of the Yale University School of Medicine, who performed the reconstructive surgery, was also present.

“[He] spoke about the science behind it,” said Cara McCord, Taylor’s mother.

Taylor McCord also got to witness a live, moderated reverse shoulder replacement surgery and – thanks to fellow nominees such as a student from Frederick Douglass High School – had plenty of time to network and learn other professional skills.

“[They] talked about getting business cards…and how to speak,” added Cara McCord. “They had a body language expert that taught them how to read body language, and how to [present] themselves in an interview setting so they could make positive impressions when they go to apply for a job or school.”

In terms of schooling and her future, McCord is considering the University of Kentucky.

The George Rogers Clark High School student, who was even recognized at the event among fellow peers, has a good idea of what field she’d like to practice.

“I found out that I really have a passion for [helping] babies,” she said. “I think I’m wanting to be a NICU nurse practitioner.”

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