PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – A local 11th-grade student is headed to the national stage this summer to join the next generation of medical professionals. Alexandra Romano, an honor student at Land O’ Lakes High School, has officially been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. The prestigious event is scheduled for this June at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Romano’s path toward a medical career is rooted in her own history as a patient. Diagnosed with severe childhood idiopathic scoliosis at the age of five, she navigated years of daily bracing before undergoing a full spinal fusion surgery at age twelve.
Now fully recovered, Romano is an active multi-sport athlete who intends to use her firsthand experience to treat others. She has set her sights on becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and a biomedical engineer.
Her resume at Land O’ Lakes High School reflects a heavy focus on both healthcare and leadership. Romano is a member of the International Baccalaureate program and follows an advanced mathematics track.
Beyond the classroom, she participates in the American Red Cross, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Youth Leadership Pasco, and the 2026 AdventHealth Explorers program.
In addition to her medical interests, Romano competes on the varsity basketball and volleyball teams. Her academic standing has earned her a spot as a National Merit Scholarship Qualifier and a member of several organizations, including the National Honor Society and the National Science Honor Society. She has also been recognized as an AP Scholar and a recipient of the Small Town award.
Looking ahead, Romano plans to pursue a pre-medical pathway in college. Her long-term career goals include practicing orthopedic surgery and serving as an advocate for young women entering the fields of medicine and engineering.
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