The Chattanooga and Hamilton County Medical Society and Medical Foundation of Chattanooga recently concluded the 2023 Youth Leadership Forum (YLF). The program encourages rising high school seniors and recent graduates to consider careers in medicine. Over a week, students enjoyed daily roundtable discussions with physicians and shadow a different physician each day.
In partnership with University of Tennessee College of Medicine and local hospitals, the Forum’s programming 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;
- Assist with efforts to increase the pipeline of health care providers in Southeastern Tennessee.
The 13 students selected were selected from applications received from schools throughout the region. They are:
| Baylor School | Chinelle Burrage, Rachel Chen, Shelby Cox, Madison Ellis |
| Boyd Buchanan High School | Sophia Creelman |
| Brainerd High School | Dakota Putman |
| Chattanooga Christian School | Celeste Peace |
| East Hamilton High School | River Ervin, Het Patel |
| Girls Preparatory School | Hoda Alameddine, Zella Stockman |
| Soddy Daisy High School | Kiya Patel |
| STEM School of Chattanooga | Sarah Bolus |
“This program is a great way to educate students on the realities of the field of medicine,” said Dr. Mukta Panda, chair of the Medical Society’s Future Docs program. “These young men and women are always so full of hope and optimism.They inspire us as much as we hope to inspire them to pursue a career in the field.”