by Michelle Delaney
Mary Kathy Leslie, a Clermont homeschooled 11th grader, is a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders on March 20th and 21st, 2021.
Mary Kathy’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, to represent Florida based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.
Mary Kathy was born and raised in Clermont and has always been homeschooled. She is now in her second semester and a dual-enrolled student at Lake Sumter State College. She explained that she dual-enrolled so she could get a head start on college and medical school. She started college this past fall and as a dual-enrolled student, currently is carrying a 4.43GPA in both High School and College Classes.
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 this event 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.
During the two-day Congress, Mary Kathy Leslie will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.
“Mary Kathy’s career goal has always been to become a medical examiner since she was three years old”, said her mother Cynthia Leslie. She described her daughter as always wanting to be able to help people. She explained, “When Mary Kathy was only three, she came to me while I was in my bedroom folding clothes and told me she wanted to be a Medical Examiner. I had NO IDEA where she had even heard of that profession. I asked her why? and her reply was, “I want to help people, momma.” “Oh no”, I said, “You can’t help them….they are dead!“ And her reply was, “I KNOW THAT! As only a three-year-old can let you know how silly you are for even second-guessing them), and she went on to explain if you can figure out HOW they died, maybe someone else will not die from that same thing, OR, at least you can let the family members know why, and that will make them feel better!””Over the years, I have REPEATEDLY told her that it was ok to change her mind, but she says this is what she was put on this earth to do! Mary Kathy explains “! want to be able to tell families the reason behind their loved one’s passing”.
Mary Kathy has other interests. She is both a competitive dancer and a choreographer. She has placed in ‘The Top 10 Winners’ numerous times in various Regional and National Dance Competitions and has previously been an Applause Talent Title Winner and a KARR Dance Competition, Title Runner-Up. She has been awarded Special Judges Awards that range from ‘Stunning Presence’ to ‘Turns Like A Top’ to ‘Beautiful Extensions’. She has also choreographed solo’s for children that have gone on to be ‘Top 10 Placement’ Winners in both Regional and National Competition’s. She is currently taking five classes weekly in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Technique, and Leaps & Turns. She enjoys Lyrical, Contemporary, and Musical Theater as well.
In 2018, she won Teen Miss Applause and also was a runner up for Teen Miss Kar. She has been recognized for various dance pieces that she has choreographed. Solos that she has choreographed have placed in the top 10 at multiple competitions and she has won various special awards. She has been in a promotional video for Disney Performing Arts.
Mary Kathy has been modeling since she was 12. Her mother explains, “It’s just a hobby and she doesn’t devote much time to it, but if she books a job that is convenient for her, she takes the money she earns from it and uses it for her future schooling. She has done print work with Harcourt Scholastics, Disney commercials, and has been featured in Brand Model Magazine. She has also won ‘Miss Photogenic’ in StarPower, Nexstar, Believe, Revolution Talent, and Full Out Dance Productions.
The Academy notes: 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. Focused, bright and determined students like Mary Kathy Leslie are our future and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her.
The Academy offers free services and programs to students who want to become physicians or go into medical science. Some of the services and programs the Academy offers are online social networks through which future doctors and medical scientists can communicate; opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by physicians and medical students; and communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance and much more.
The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists was founded on the belief that we must identify prospective medical talent at the earliest possible age and help these students acquire the necessary experience and skills to take them to the doorstep of this vital career. Based in Washington, D.C. and with offices in Boston, MA, the Academy was chartered as a nonpartisan, taxpaying institution to help address this crisis by working to identify, encourage and mentor students who wish to devote their lives to the service of humanity as physicians, medical scientists.
Congratulations!
