Callaway High School sophomore Miranda Tucker says that despite her young age she has known for a long time that she wants to pursue a career in the medical field. That passion and drive has now led to a tremendous opportunity for the teen.

Tucker was recently notified that she had been nominated and accepted to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston, Massachusetts this summer. 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 the event, according to a press release, 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.

Her journey toward achieving her medical field goal began when Tucker earned her CNA certification last year. She is currently putting that to use working at Callaway Good Life Center as well as Brookstone View in Broken Bow.

“I have not found out yet who nominated me for the Congress, but I got a letter in the mail congratulating me on being nominated to attend the Future Medical Leaders in Boston, and my first question was, is this a legit thing? So I took the letter to school and asked my counselor and she looked into it,” Tucker explained. “I was really concerned that it might be a scam. Mrs. Sughayar said she looked it up and it was a legit thing. Then I took it home and talked to my dad about it. ”Her dad suggested she reach out to her aunt because she had lived in that part of the country for several years and knew her way around the area. Tucker’s aunt also did her own research and confirmed to her niece that the Congress was, in fact, the real deal - and attending would be a tremendous opportunity for the future medical professional.

“So I went online and found the application and filled that out and now I’m ready to go.”

“Since getting my CNA license I have loved every minute of it,” Tucker continued. “I want to be a nurse of some kind, and I think I want to be a PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care) nurse. I love kids and I love nursing and I just want to bring the two together.”

During the three-day Congress June 25-27, Tucker will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners talk about leading medical research. She will also be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school, witness stories by patients who are living medical miracles, and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical terminology.

The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists sponsors the Congress and was founded on the belief that we must identify prospective medical talent at the earliest possible age and help those students acquire the necessary experience and skills for this vital career.

“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,” the press release states. “Focused, bright and determined students like Miranda Tucker are our future and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her.”

Tucker’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. Her nomination was based on her academic achievement, leadership potential, and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.

Along with providing a wonderful opportunity for Tucker, the trip to Boston will also serve as a little girl’s vacation, as her grandma, mom, and aunt will be joining her. Tucker has paid for the trip herself.

“I think this will be an eye-opener for me, and give me a chance to get to know about the different professions in the medical field. It will give me good references for my future,” said Tucker. “I am confident that the knowledge and experience I gain from this conference will positively impact my future endeavors in the medical field.”

Attending high school and working two jobs may seem like a lot for a 16-year-old, “but I love it” Tucker shared. “I love the residents and all the people. I love my job!”

Working in the medical field runs in the family. Tucker’s mom is a CNA at Callaway District Hospital and her grandma is a retired nurse. She is the daughter of Preston and Alisha Tucker. She has an older sister and 9-year-old twin sisters.

Tucker concluded, “I am eager to continue growing as a CNA and believe that this conference represents a valuable step in my professional development.”

For more information on the Congress of Future Medical Leaders visit www.FutureDocs.com.