Today, FAU celebrated a new kind of signing day – for academics rather than athletics – as four of the nation’s brightest teens were officially accepted into an innovative new medical school pipeline program. The FAU High School M.D. Direct program places gifted high school students directly in line to earn their medical degrees and is the first of its kind to be launched in the United States.

The four pipeline students – all National Merit Scholars – have performed at an exceptional level in the classroom and served our community through volunteering hundreds of hours to those in need. They will complete their B.S. degree within one year and complete a graduate program at FAU or approved research program, among other requirements, prior to entering medical school.

Included in the inaugural group of pipeline students is Maximilian Rabil, 18, who received his bachelor’s degree during our spring commencement ceremonies – one week before receiving his high school diploma. He will conduct neuroscience research before he is eligible to start medical school in fall 2018. The other students, Sarah Palumbo, 18; Nadia Sial, 17; and Cara Busheme, 18; will join Max to be among the nation’s youngest medical students.

We are very pleased that these exceptional students will continue their educational journeys here at FAU. This unparalleled program will help to meet our community’s need for physicians in the future and retain top medical talent here in South Florida.