Students’ Journey in the 2025 Global Teen Medical Summit

On the first day, I was nervous and scared, but ready to explore my curiosity about medicine. I didn’t know anyone, and I was not sure what to expect. What started with quiet introductions turned into something unforgettable. I soon realized that the people I was once scared to talk to were the same ones I ended up laughing, learning, working alongside, and eating with. I have never been more motivated and passionate about working with people who share the same passion for becoming the future of medicine.

One of my favorite moments was the tour through the DeBakey Museum with Dr. Mattox. He didn’t just tell us about Dr. DeBakey; he brought his story to life. You could feel how much he cared, not just about history, but about the future of medicine. He kept saying, “There has to be change.” That stuck with me. It reminded me that becoming a doctor isn’t just about treating patients, it’s about improving how we care for them. His words made me reflect on why I want to pursue critical care: to be part of that change.

Someone asked how to get comfortable around blood while on the tour, and Dr. Mattox said, “Run to the heart of danger, where you’ll find comfort.” That moment resonated deeply with me. It made me realize that facing fear is part of the journey, and that is exactly what I want to do. Before this program, I knew I wanted to go into healthcare. But now, I feel even more driven. I want to keep learning, growing, and one day, make a difference in people’s lives, just like the people who inspired me here.

Attending this Summit was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of my high school and career exploration journey so far. Rather than making us sit in a room all day or conducting icebreakers, our program coordinators knew that there was no better way to learn and bond than through shared experiences. This included painting at Mad Potter on the very first day and touring the Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital Trauma Center’s Cath Lab, all bunny-suited up. Hands-on experience has changed my perspective on what healthcare really is, and hearing the story of Ben Taub’s Chief of Staff Sandeep Markan’s journey to medicine, full of coincidences and commitment to care, made it feel real. Medicine and research aren’t just removed from the person conducting the work, but intertwined with their personal journey and their “why.” 

“What would you say to students who don’t know what they want to pursue in medicine, but know that they want to work in the medical field?” one of my peers asked Dr. Kenneth Mattox, renowned professor and former chief-of-staff of Ben Taub Hospital.

“Don’t worry about it,” he replied. His kind sternness was a symbol of his decades-long career, and a reminder coming from someone who’s essentially seen it all in medicine. As long as you know why you’re doing the work, you’ll find what it is you should be doing. In that moment, it all clicked. The reason the Global Teen Medical Summit even exists in the first place is to allow students to explore their passions in medicine and provide them with a network and future opportunities in the field of healthcare, not force them to nail down a career path then and there. 

Stepping into the 2025 Global Teen Medical Summit felt like stepping into the heartbeat of innovation. As a future physician, I thought I knew what to expect, but what I experienced was something far greater. The moment I entered TMC Innovation, I was in awe. The walls buzzed with energy, ideas, and technology that could reshape lives. It was a glimpse into the future I hoped to be part of. At Ben Taub Hospital, I met Dr. Markan, and the work in interventional cardiology was both precise and deeply human. Hearing him speak felt like watching science and compassion dance in harmony. But nothing could have prepared me for the two-hour conversation I shared with Dr. Kenneth Mattox at the DeBakey Museum. Surrounded by the legacy of surgical pioneers, I listened as he spoke of his groundbreaking inventions, his wisdom flowing like history itself. It was the kind of experience that carves itself into your memory forever — a masterclass in medicine, humanity, and legacy.

And then, there was LifeGift. Holding a real human kidney — destined to save someone’s life — was a surreal, grounding moment. In my hands was not just an organ, but a symbol of hope, sacrifice, and second chances. I am endlessly grateful to The Health Museum and the Global Teen Medical Summit team for awarding me a full-ride scholarship and the opportunity to live this extraordinary experience. This summit didn’t just teach me — it transformed me. I leave with a new purpose, deeper compassion, and a fire within to one day contribute my chapter to the story of medicine.

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