Andrea Mendez Cerame '18 Earns Award of Excellence

Senior Andrea Mendez Cerame represented CSW and the state of Massachusetts at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders this past June, completing the program with an official Award of Excellence. Head of School Jane Moulding presented Andrea with the award at a recent all-school assembly.

Senior Andrea Mendez Cerame represented CSW and the state of Massachusetts at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders this past June, completing the program with an official Award of Excellence. Head of School Jane Moulding presented Andrea with the award at a recent all-school assembly.

Hosted by the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, the Congress of Future Medical Leaders brings together “the nation’s best and brightest future medical leaders who possess leadership potential and a desire to contribute to the profession of medicine as a physician or medical scientist.”

“I love biology, chemistry, and all things science-related, so it was really exciting for me to be there,” shares Andrea.

Though the conference focused primarily on human medicine, it was Andrea’s interest in veterinary medicine that motivated her to participate. Andrea has always loved animals, but her passion truly began to bloom at Cub Creek Science and Animal Camp in Missouri. While a camper at Cub Creek — which boasts its own zoo — Andrea learned to take care of the animals at the camp, interacting with them, feeding them, and cleaning their cages. She was also able to take a junior veterinary course and work as an animal specialist in training.

“I’ve learned that when it comes to veterinary medicine, loving animals isn’t enough,” Andrea says. “You need to be able to see them as patients, and respond appropriately in tough situations when the animal may be suffering.”

As a participant in the Congress, Andrea had the chance to hear from award-winning scientists, prominent medical school academic leaders, and preeminent scholars and innovators in the world of medicine. Some of the highlights were a surgeon who performed one of the first face transplants for a victim of domestic abuse; an expert on genetically modified organisms; a physician who invented a new way to treat victims of heart attacks; and a teen who developed a new method to test for malaria in remote regions without access to modern technology. Andrea and fellow delegates were also able to observe a surgery, with the opportunity to submit questions to the operating surgeon in real time.

Congratulations to Andrea and all of the other Congress participants!
 

The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.