Gabrielle Albanese of Franklin Square is scheduled to participate in the 1998 National Youth Leadership Forum on medicine from July 26 to Aug. 5, in Washington, DC. Gabrielle, in the Class of 1999 at Sacred Heart Academy, will be among 350 outstanding high school juniors and seniors from across America who have attained the qualifications required to participate in the forum. Gabrielle was selected because of her outstanding academic achievements and her interest in the profession of medicine.

For the July 26 to Aug. 5 forum on medicine, Gabrielle will join her fellow students in Washington for 11 days of discovery and mentorship at some of our nation's most prominent and technologically-advanced medical institutions. The students will visit prestigious medical establishments including Georgetown University School of Medicine, National Library of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Howard University College of Medicine, the National Rehabilitation Hospital, the George Washington University of School of Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Intensive day-long concentrations at these and other institutions will allow students to examine state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and future medical specialties in detail.

Students will also have the opportunity to study and learn from some of our nation's most distinguished medical leaders. Prominent leaders in the medical community that students are scheduled to hear from include Dr. Mark E. Lippman, director, Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center; Dr. Levi Watkins, professor of cardiac surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital; Dr. K. N. Siva Subramanian, director, Georgetown University Hospital, department of neonatology; Dr. Patch Adams, founder of the Gesundheit Institute; Dr. Anthony Fauci, director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; and Dr. Paul Coates, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Disorders.

Topics to be discussed include breakthroughs in genetic research, cancer research, AIDS, sports medicine, neonatal and pediatric research, computers in the world of medicine, public health, clinical decision-making and bioethics.

The National Youth Leadership Forum is a non-profit educational organization that sponsors highly specialized, career-oriented programs for outstanding high school students with demonstrated leadership potential. The National Youth Leadership Forum develops and conducts annual forums on medicine, law, and defense, intelligence and diplomacy.

Many students are nominated to participate in these forums by high school teachers and guidance counselors. The National Youth Leadership Forum greatly values the recommendations of educators when evaluating a student's potential participation in a forum.

Interested educators, parents and students are encouraged to contact the NYLF Office of Admissions for additional information at (202) 628-6090 or by e-mail at info@nylf.org. NYLF's website is located at www.nationalyouth.org.