Dalton P. Harper, a junior at Success Unlimited Academy in Montgomery, has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Washington, D.C. Nov. 14 – 16.

The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields.  The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motive and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be physicians, medical scientist, to stay true to their dream, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.

Harper was nominated by Dr. Connie Mariano, the Medical Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientist to represent Alabama based on his academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.

During the three-day Congress, Harper will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what is to be expected in medical school; witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.

“This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially,” said Richard Rossi, executive director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists.

“Focused, bright and determined students like Dalton are our future and he deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give him.”

The Academy offers free services and programs to students who want to be physicians or go into medical science.  Some of the services and programs the Academy plans to launch in 2013 and 2014 are online social networks through which future doctors and medical scientists can communicate; opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by physicians and medical students; and communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance and much more.

Harper is the son of Robb Colley and Greenville native Kelly Colley, and the grandson of the late Bill Cantrell and Melissa Cantrell of Greenville, and Phil and Tina Clements of Hazelhurst, Ga.  Harper will be inducted into the National Honor Society this week, has maintained a 4.2 GPA for the last four years, he plans to pursue his Doctorate of Physical Therapy.