APPROVED FOR MED SCHOOL AT 14, HE WAS A DOCTOR AT 20
A Brazilian approved for medical school at 14 became a doctor at 20 after volunteering for the pandemic front line.
José Victor Menezes Teles received his medical diploma on May 11, 2021, at age 20, at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS). UOL Educação reported that its own research of records made him the youngest doctor in the country, matching the age record of Donato D’Angelo, who also graduated at 20.
How he got in at 14
Teles was 14 when UFS approved him for medicine, and he had not finished high school.
A court order cleared the way. Teles told UOL, “Foi concedida uma liminar, permitiram que eu fizesse provas de proficiência.”
He said he took 13 proficiency exams and passed every one. The state education department then issued his high-school certificate, which he used to enroll.
During a university strike before classes began, he retook the ENEM and said his score improved.
He also wrote a book about his path to university, “Como Vencer aos 14.”
Teles said he met no resistance or age-based prejudice on campus and never failed a course. He took extra classes whenever he could.
Into the pandemic
Teles was among a group of UFS students who graduated early under a Ministry of Education ordinance, Diário do Nordeste reported.
The federal “O Brasil Conta Comigo” program was created because of COVID-19. It provided practical hours that could support a request for early graduation.
Teles said he volunteered, and that he spent 19 weeks on the front line in Itabaiana. Those credited hours replaced his practical training, he said.
He also picked up extra weekly shifts, he said, especially in obstetrics, general surgery and emergency general medicine.
Portal Antenados reported that he worked at Hospital Nestor Piva in Aracaju and could provide urgent care in Itabaiana. UOL reported that he intended to practice in Itabaiana.
He also made Instagram videos during the pandemic to promote science and basic health information, UOL reported.
His UFS professor Hyder Aragão de Melo said, “Ele reúne todas as características para ser um bom médico.” That means he has all the traits to be a good doctor.
What happened next
In a follow-up with g1, Teles said he had worked in Itabaiana since graduating. He was also working at Maternidade São José, attending births.
He said he wrote down the names, dates and times of the births he attended. g1 reported that the count was just over 200.
He chose gynecology and obstetrics after working in the field during the pandemic. “Justamente após tantas perdas durante a pandemia que decidi seguir para a ginecologia e obstetrícia,” he told g1. He said the losses he saw during the pandemic pushed him toward the specialty.
On February 22, 2025, g1 reported that Teles expected to finish his gynecology and obstetrics residency in March 2025. He planned to open a medical center in the Agreste region of Sergipe with his fiancée, physician and obstetrician Catarina Fagundes.
