August 7, 2018
Rutherford County Schools
Siegel High School senior O'Brien Gentry had the opportunity this summer to join students from across the nation to take part in a unique academic development experience at the National Youth Leadership Forum: Medicine on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He visited the Simulation Center at Campbell University School of Medicine, where he was able to check blood pressure, insert IV's, stitch up sutures and simulate operating on a car wreck victim.
He also witnessed a surgery on video broadcast while at the forum.
After attending the NYLF and having the chance to talk with many medical students, doctors and hearing from motivational speakers, orthopedics is the area of medicine Gentry wants to pursue.
"It grabbed my attention more than any other area,” Gentry said, “and the fact that I can relate due to many sports injuries over the years is a plus.”
He added, "The hands-on experience was excellent. The most rewarding part of the trip was getting to see the insight of what it's like to be a medical student. If it be God's will, that's the direction I'll be taking after graduating high school while continuing to play basketball.”