dr._roger_l._duncan__web.jpgRIVIERA BEACH — The noted Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, former dean of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, served as keynote speaker when Inlet Grove Community High School hosted the T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society.

The encore of last year’s highly educational and engaging event returned on Saturday, March 8, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., hosted by a group of dedicated doctors who give attention to underserved populations through education and guidance.

This Healthcare and Science Career Symposium gathered more than 500 career-minded medical and science students, from throughout Palm Beach County and beyond, together with innumerable healthcare professionals and college educators for mentoring and career goal experiences.

“The event went pretty well; it was pack with students so that was good,” said Scott McDermott, career coordinator from Inlet Grove Community High School.
The purpose of the event was to get students from all over Palm Beach to get excited about the health care industry. And for some it offered practical experience as well.

Students in nursing field have to complete more than 675 clinical hours, and the health and science fair provided up to eight hours.

Keynote speaker Dr. Laurencin, was the first orthopedic surgeon to achieve university professor level rank in the country. He is a member of both the Institutes of Medicine and the National Academies of Engineering. Dr. Laurencin serves on the editorial board of 17 journals. His work was recently honored by Scientific American Magazine as one of the 50 greatest achievements in science. He has been named one of the 100 engineers of the modern era by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

“Dr. Laurencin spoke to the students and gave them advice on health care and what you need to know for future in the medical field,” McDermott said.