Auburn’s Avery Aresu got a close look at how doctors operate.

One day she would like to become a surgeon herself.

Aresu, 16, a junior-to-be at Auburn Riverside High School, recently attended a National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in Los Angeles. The 10-day program introduced students to professionals from some of the nation’s top medical centers and faculty from renowned institutions of learning.

“I found out how demanding the schooling is,” said Aresu, who volunteers in the ER Department at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup. “I learned a lot about the body, how doctors work, the techniques they use and how they work together.”

Aresu, daughter of Diana and Tony Aresu of Lake Tapps, was nominated by her peers to attend the forum. She was one of only two from the state to do so.

Aresu carried a 3.7 GPA last year, and participates as a varsity and competition squad cheerleader.

With close cooperation from many prestigious and technologically-advanced hospitals, research facilities and medical schools, the forum challenged students to learn about a broad range of topics, including educational requirements, career options, clinical practice and complex ethical and legal issues facing the medical profession today.

Students discussed global epidemics, cures for life-threatening diseases, life as a resident, medical specialties and primary care with current physicians and patients.

Elsewhere

Jennifer Gibson, a student at Auburn High, participated for the second year of the DO-IT Scholars Summer Study program. More than 50 high-school students with disabilities met on the University of Washington campus for the annual program that promotes talented disabled students’ successful pursuit of careers in technology, science, engineering and mathematics. DO-IT stands for Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology.