Weaverville – McKenzie Jones, 11th grader at North Buncombe High School, will be a Delegate at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders on June 26th and 27th of this year.
Dr. Mario Capecchi, a winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, signed Jones’ nomination to represent the state based on her academic achievements, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.
“I feel honored to receive this nomination and blessed to experience such a tremendous opportunity that will help me in my future career in medicine,” McKenzie says.
The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.
During the two-day Congress, Jones will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research. Ivy League and top medical school deans will advise her on what to expect in medical school. Witness stories will be told by patients who are living medical miracles; she’ll become inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.
“This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially. Focused, bright and determined students like McKenzie Jones are our future and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her,” said a press release from The National Academy of Future Physicians announcing her nomination to the event.
The Academy offers free services and programs to students who want to become physicians or go into medical science. Some of the services and programs the Academy offers are online social networks through which future doctors and medical scientists can communicate. There are opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by physicians and medical students and communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance and much more.
McKenzie is the daughter of Jennifer and Chris Jones.