Way to Go! Portledge School student named 'Future Medical Leader'
Demetri Passelis, a student at Portledge School in Locust Valley, has been selected to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. Credit: Island Photography
A student at the Portledge School in Locust Valley is making his mark in the medical field.
Demetri Passelis, a junior, was one of 100 high schoolers nationwide to recently vie for a spot in the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, an honors-only program for youth who want to become physicians or pursue medical research fields.
Passelis participated in a two-day virtual program this summer that culminated in an hourlong test on which he scored a 95, enabling him to earn the designation of Future Medical Leader.
"I've always wanted to help people," said Passelis, 16, who aspires to become a plastic surgeon. "I just felt that plastics and trauma surgery can really change peoples lives. I don't like to see people upset with the way they look or what happened to them."
During the two-day event, Passelis and his peers heard from individuals ranging from Nobel Laureates to National Medal of Science winners. They also witnessed stories of patients considered living medical miracles and learned about cutting-edge advances in medicine and medical technology.
Passelis is also certified as a lifeguard with the American Red Cross and Nassau County, is a lifeguard with the YMCA in Glen Cove, and recently started his own business lifeguarding for private parties.
In addition, he is a caddie at Piping Rock Country Club in Locust Valley.
— MICHAEL R. EBERT
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
