WESTFIELD – A Westfield High School student has been nominated to attend a prestigious conference for America’s future medical professionals.
Natalia Lopez Nevarez, a freshman from Westfield High, will be attending the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Washington, D.C. on November 14-16.
An honors-only program for high school students seeking to become physicians or go
into medical research fields, the purpose of the congress is to “honor, inspire, motivate and direct” the top students in the country who aspire to be physicians or medical scientists, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.
Lopez Nevarez was nominated by Dr. Connie Mariano, medical director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent Westfield High School based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.
During the three-day Congress, Natalia will join students from across the country, hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research, receive advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what is to expect in medical school 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,” said Richard Rossi, executive director, National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. “Focused, bright and determined students like Natalia Lopez are our future and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her.”
Lopez Nevarez will be accompanied by her family to the District of Columbia next weekend and is excited about attending the congress and making her second trip to Washington, D.C.
“The first time we heard about it was in the beginning of July,” said Natalia’s father, Rafael Rivera, TSgt., a supply technician and maintenance supply liasion for the 104th Fighter Wing at the Barnes ANG Base. “(Through the conference) she can understand the big picture of what she really needs and what she needs to understand to achieve her goals in the future.”
Rivera said that the family moved to Westfield a year ago, arriving from Puerto Rico seeking better educational opportunities for Natalia and her sister. He said that his daughter is very happy to receive the nomination but is nervous
“We went three or four months ago to see the important sites in the area, but we never knew we’d receive a letter saying ‘your daughter has been nominated for this (congress),'” said Rivera.
“I want to be a chemist and they have a branch that is more science-oriented,” said Lopez.
Thus far in her high school career, Lopez has been impressed with her science coursework at Westfield High.
“The science teachers are really good. The classes are fun,” she said. “I’m currently taking physical science.”
