Liberty’s Budding Scientists and Doctors Experience Science this Summer

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A group of Liberty students spent part of their summer preparing for a future career in science. 

Senior Hunter Dansby and junior Meredith Burgess were nominated and accepted to the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine and spent 10 days learning at MD Anderson in Houston. 

Hunter said of his experience:

“I entered the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine Forum wanting to study psychiatry, but leaving the forum gave me a passion to study and practice psychiatry. Not only did the forum further my desire to pursue that career, but it also enlightened me to other fields of medicine, such as radiology, oncology, and cardiology. It gave me insight on how to apply to medical school and what major paths to take with my undergraduate degree. I met fascinating students from all over the nation who shared similar interests – wanting to enter the field of medicine to benefit others. 

“Liberty’s science program not only created a passion within me for science and medicine, but it also prepared me for the challenging curriculum of this program. With teachers such as Mrs. Lytle, Dr. Vogelzang, Mrs. Hall, and Mr. De Carvalho, it made it easier for students like me who have been at Liberty to excel in a forum like this one. 

“Having the honor to attend the forum gave me deeper insight regarding what I may want to pursue in life. Ultimately, Christ is in control, and I will always look to Him for guidance, but it is great to have an idea on what I would like to do. Healthcare is a declining industry in modern days, and it needs professional, compassionate, and encouraging doctors to treat patients. I feel like with my amazing Christian foundation that Liberty has given me along with the knowledge through my science courses and this forum, I will able to live my dreams, regardless of what they may be.” 

Meredith’s experience at the forum was just as rewarding:

“My experience was incredible. I got the chance to go to the University of Texas Medical Center and go through rotations with medical students. I was able to hear from young doctors about the life of a resident, and hear from patients who told us about their treatments. 

“We watched a live knee replacement surgery, simulated a public health crisis and a disaster triage situation, along with practicing basic medical skills. Thanks to Liberty, I was knowledgeable in oncology, and I heard from several different specialists, including an oncologist, allergist, orthopedic surgeon, and even a forensic medical examiner, who told us about four murder cases in which he had been a part. One of my absolute favorite things to do was to call my dad, who is a general pathologist, and talk about what we had done each day. 

“On one of the later days in the week, we had the opportunity to go to a clinical site of our choosing. I chose a veterinary clinic, as that is my passion. I was nervous I would not get in because there were only 15 spots for that site and the forum had 430 students. The fact that I got to go was totally God’s will. My group stared at me as I screamed with happiness when I read the words ‘Veterinary Clinic’ on my yellow slip of paper. In the future, I would like to be a veterinary surgeon. This forum showed me how careless some vets can be when performing surgery and the precautions I need to take, even if they seem insignificant. I also saw that many animals after surgery were not given the same treatment people receive that animals need as well. 

“Overall, I had such an amazing time. I was able to look at something different other than veterinary medicine and see what attracted my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to the field of medicine. The field of medicine is a challenging, time-consuming career, but well worth the gratification of helping people, and I’m glad I experienced it with the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine.”

Seniors Joel Wakefield and Preston Collins were accepted to the High School Aerospace Scholar program at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and were able to walk the path of a space scientist and engineer. 

Joel said, “I got to see new technologies and meet the people who made them, learn of NASA’s history from people like Christopher C. Kraft Jr., the inventor of Mission Control, and make new friends with other extremely intelligent people.” 

Joel said that he wants to be a mechanical engineer and get a master’s in physics or aerospace engineering, and that this experience showed him what the aerospace industry was like. 

Senior Savannah Ewing and junior Ben Lytle spent four days learning the ropes at the veterinary school at Texas A&M. 

Ben said he learned so much at the camp:

“My experience at this camp was excellent. I got to see what the day-to-day life would be as a veterinary student, and I learned more about the process of getting accepted into veterinary school. I attended lectures, met professors, and made new friends from around the state and country with similar interests. 

“Liberty helped me get the grades to get in, and I was also one of the only students at the camp who knew how to use a microscope. 

“This camp will help my future because of the inside tips I learned from the veterinary school students and professors. I feel like I have a ‘leg up’ on the average pre-vet student after going to this camp. I am better prepared after this experience and have a better foundation regarding what I want to do in college.” 

Congratulations to these students, and a thank you to Liberty’s science department chair Heather Lytle and her great team of teachers who are preparing Liberty students to excel in a career in science.