Since he was a young boy, Drew Smith has known what he wanted to do when he got older.

He was about 10 years old when he was in a car accident. Smith said when the fire department arrived on the scene, he felt much better.

And growing up, he attended pancake breakfasts at the Redmond Fire Department (RFD) headquarters and would often visit the fire station during Redmond Derby Days and other community events the department has held.

All of these moments throughout his life had the Redmond High School (RHS) senior feeling the call to become a paramedic.

“It’s all just a fun experience,” Smith said.

And a few years ago, his mother took a fall off of their deck and hurt herself.

“Her ankle was sideways,” he said.

When that happened, Smith said he wasn’t too “freaked out.” So he knew he could handle the job.

The calling has not gone away and in a little more than a month, he will be attending the Congress of Future Medical Leaders as a delegate for Washington. The conference will be from June 25-27 in Lowell, Mass.

“I was really excited,” Smith said with a smile about his response when he learned about the program. “Future Medical Leaders, that sounds awesome!”

One of Smith’s teachers at RHS nominated him for the program, including an essay he wrote for a scholarship application. He had written the essay in November 2015 and learned about the Congress nomination sometime in December 2015 or January.

Smith will be one of a handful of students from Washington and the only one from RHS.

The Congress is organized by the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, an institution that helps with the projected primary care provider and specialists shortage, according to its website. The organization works to “identify, encourage and mentor students who wish to devote their lives to the service of humanity as physicians, medical scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.”

While in Lowell, Smith and his fellow delegates will have the opportunity to sit in on lectures, listen to various speakers in the field and ask them questions and even observe a live surgery.

“It’s a big deal,” said Mike Hilley, acting medical services administrator for RFD, about the conference.

While reading up on the conference and seeing the speaker list, Hilley himself, a veteran in the field, became excited.

Smith said he is looking forward to meeting the speakers and doctors at the congress and getting to speak with them personally. He is also looking forward to meeting other students who share his interest for medicine and helping others.

The conference costs a few thousand dollars and participants must pay their own way. Smith said he has been saving up money these past few months and has also gotten some help from family and friends. He has also started a Go Fund Me website here.

While Smith has committed to attend Washington State University next year, he is keeping his options open as Central Washington University has a paramedicine program.

During discussions about his educational future, Hilley was quick to offer his advice on the various routes Smith could take to become a paramedic — offering his opinion on the different programs out there and what could be best for the teen in the long run. Hilley also told Smith about on-campus opportunities that would give Smith hands-on experience while he is still a student.

Although Smith, who enjoys sports (particularly baseball and basketball) and being outdoors, may not know what his exact career path may be in the long run aside from becoming a paramedic, he does know where he wants to work.

“I love Washington so I’m planning on staying in Washington,” he said about his post-college plans.