Bishop Noll Institute senior Liliana Mendez has a passion for medicine and recently joined other high school students from around the country who aspire to become the next generation of leaders in the medical field.
Mendez represented Bishop Noll and the State of Indiana at the National Leadership Academies’ Congress of Future Medical Leaders, which took place in June in Boston, Mass. The East Chicago resident was taught by some of the greatest living minds in medicine including winners of international prizes, prominent medical school academic leaders and new prodigies who are leading the future of medicine.
“My favorite part of the Congress was listening to the speakers and their stories for us. The main message to us was that it is OK to fail, we need to fail in order to succeed and realize our potential,” she said.
Mendez, who attended St. Mary’s School in Griffith, was nominated to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum: Medicine in summer 2015. After participating, she was invited to attend the June 2016 Congress by one of its presidents/program directors. The senior plans to study medicine to become a doctor with multidisciplinary care in the trauma unit, she said. At the Congress, she met top physicians in different fields and learned the challenges that helped them discover their specialties.
“Attending the Congress amongst my peers who had the same difficulties, dedication, and drive for medicine as I did helped establish my passion for medicine. I've always known I wanted to help people. As I grew older I realized I wanted to go into the field of medicine.”
Liliana and her grandmother, Lupe Mendez, enjoyed visiting Boston and had a few hours to tour the historic city.
“We were able to walk the Freedom Trail and visit some amazing historical landmarks such as the Boston Massacre site and the Old State House.”
Mendez thanks her family members for all of their support and credits many Noll faculty and staff for encouraging her to pursue her dreams.
“They have guided me and helped me when I struggled, and they have also opened doors for me that are not normally opened to teenage girls. Since my first day at Noll, teachers such as Ms. Dostatni, Ms. Omelanczuk, Ms. Skurka, Mr. Trafny, Mr. Burgun, Mr. Belluomini, Ms. Schmidt, Ms. Sandoval, Mrs. Ramos, and Ms. Arnold have always been willing to help me with whatever I need. The faculty and staff at Noll have always reminded me that I can do what I set my mind to and they have believed in me since day one, and for that I am extremely grateful.”
Michele Arnold, Bishop Noll’s director of guidance, said Mendez is conscientious, friendly, focused and determined. She consistently seeks out challenges. “She expects a lot of herself and isn't satisfied unless she knows that she did her best,” Arnold said, adding that Mendez transitioned well into BNI.
“I have no doubt that she will achieve her goal of becoming a doctor. Her knowledge, skill, and empathy for others will benefit anyone that she comes into contact with in her career. I can see her as a leader in her field one day.”
Bishop Noll teacher Lydia Skurka ‘74 taught Mendez in Junior Theology: Morality and Sacraments and said she is a thoughtful student who was always willing to learn about her church and faith.
“I know Liliana is very involved in community activities,” Skurka said. “I see her being willing to extend herself past her career and family and work with and for those in her community.
Rebecca Dostatni ’00 is Mendez’s Honors Biology teacher and said she is a serious, pensive and mature student.
“I hope that Liliana follows her dreams and continues to work diligently at everything she chooses to do in her life. She pays great attention to details and will become an excellent professional in the medical field.”
Next up for Mendez is a trip to Washington, D.C., this January to attend the Presidential Inauguration Leadership Summit. She is working hard to fundraise enough to pay for the trip. She also worked this summer for Congressman Peter Visclosky in his campaign office and is working at Regional Federal Credit Union student center at Noll.
For more information on the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, visit futuredocs.com.
Bishop Noll Institute, a diverse, Catholic college preparatory school in Hammond, partners with local faith communities to empower young adults to live their faith in Christ through ministry, scholarship, and leadership.