The deadline to apply for the 2019 Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine has been extended to Friday, April 26. Rising high school seniors and 2019 high school graduates who have an interest in a career in medicine now have an additional week to apply or be nominated for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society and Medical Foundation of Chattanooga's 14th annual Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. The program will be held June 3-6 and includes daily roundtable discussions with physicians. Students will also shadow a different physician each day.
Medical Society President Colleen Schmitt, MD, said the program is designed to:
- Provide students the opportunity to learn more about life as a physician and inspire them to consider a career in medicine;
- Educate students about options available to assist with the cost of medical education;
- Provide students and local physicians with a community-based mentoring/teaching experience; and
- Assist with efforts to increase the pipeline of health care providers in Southeastern Tennessee.
Students must complete an application and submit two letters of recommendation from a teacher, principal, guidance counselor, or other individual familiar with the student's educational background and interests. Applications must be received by the Medical Society by April 26. Applications and complete information are available at www.chattmd.org.
Typically more than 100 students apply for the competitive program and approximately 25 students are selected.
"We developed this program to inspire talented young people to aspire to careers in medicine," said Mark Brzezienski, MD, past president of the Medical Society and Foundation and founder of the program. "Some of our earlier participants are now in medical school or residency."
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, established in 1883, is an advocate for physicians and for the continual improvement of community health. The Medical Foundation is an affiliated non-profit organization that provides access to health care for low-income uninsured residents and works to improve community health.