Shawnee High School proudly announces that junior Manuela Parada, Class of 2026, was selected for the highly competitive Advanced Medical & Public Health Internship offered by Leadership Initiatives. This immersive program provides high school students with hands-on opportunities to engage in clinical practice and global public health work, experiences typically reserved for college-level students and professionals.
During the program, Manuela worked with medical teams at New Life Hospital in Bauchi State, Nigeria, where she performed patient diagnoses through telehealth consultations. These efforts directly supported underserved patients living on less than $1.25 per day and ensured that many received fully funded medical care. In addition, she developed a public health awareness campaign focused on acute respiratory infections, which was approved by a panel of doctors and public health professionals for implementation in Nigerian communities later this year.
Through training sessions led by physicians and public health experts, Manuela gained training in critical clinical skills, including laparoscopy, suturing, venipuncture, vital signs assessment, neurological exams, intubation, and plaster casting. She also received mentorship from prominent medical leaders such as Dr. Zainab Ibrahim, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, Dr. Aishatu Nalado, and Dr. James Giordano, deepening her understanding of neuroscience ethics, emergency medicine, and the challenges of global health care.
Reflecting on the experience, Manuela shared, “I am so grateful for this internship experience. It has given me the chance to expand my knowledge, learn from amazing mentors, and explore new possibilities within public health. It also gave me a deeper understanding of what health looks like across the world, especially as I learned about Nigeria and its healthcare system. Experiencing another culture and seeing how healthcare can look so different from ours gave me a new perspective and fueled my passion even more. Being surrounded by kids who also want to make a difference in healthcare reminded me that change is possible, and that together we can work toward solutions that truly improve lives. I’m especially thankful to my teachers for shaping me into the student I am today, and I’m excited to carry these lessons forward as I continue to grow and pursue my passion for making a difference in the healthcare world one day at a time.”
Manuela’s selection for this program reflects her academic excellence and strong leadership at Shawnee High School. She is a consistent member of the Superintendent’s Honor Roll and actively serves her community through a variety of leadership roles. She is a teen board member at Legacy Parenting Center, a student representative on the YMCA Board of Directors, and president of Tri-Hi-Y. Beyond academics, she is also an accomplished debater, a member of the varsity tennis team, and a state champion in Biomedical Debate through HOSA. Her dedication to service is equally noteworthy, with over 200 hours of community involvement recognized by the PVSW Award for servant leadership.
Inspired by her experiences, Manuela plans to pursue a career as a cardiac sonographer. Known for her confidence, collaborative spirit, and tireless work ethic, she has already made an impact both locally and globally and stands ready to continue making a difference in the medical field.