FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ripley High School Alumnus Jhoneldrick Millares Named to Prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 List for Revolutionizing Surgical Technology
RIPLEY, WV – December 5, 2025– Ripley High School (RHS) is proud to announce that one of its own, 2015 graduate Jhoneldrick Millares, has been named to the highly prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Healthcare. Millares, 28, is the Cofounder of Illuminant Surgical, a company developing cutting-edge software that is set to transform surgical guidance and patient care.
Millares was recognized in the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, which highlights 600 of the brightest young entrepreneurs, leaders, and stars across 20 different industries. The honor acknowledges his leadership and innovation in the medical technology sector.
Illuminant Surgical, co-founded by Millares, is pioneering a surgical guidance system that uses a patient’s medical records and imaging data to create precise, projected graphics. These graphics are overlaid directly onto a patient's skin, acting as a dynamic, real-time map for surgeons during operations. This innovative approach enhances precision, potentially reducing procedure times and improving patient outcomes.
“We are immensely proud of Jhoneldrick’s accomplishments,” said William P. Hosaflook, Superintendent of Jackson County Schools and Jhoneldrick’s former Ripley High School principal. “His journey from the halls of Ripley High School to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list is a powerful inspiration to all our students. It shows that with vision, hard work, and dedication, graduates from anywhere, including West Virginia, can make a profound impact on the world.”
After graduating from Ripley High School in 2015, Millares pursued his education at Stanford University. His work with Illuminant Surgical is a testament to his commitment to applying technology to solve complex healthcare challenges.
Millares’s recognition reinforces the critical role that innovation plays in shaping the future of medicine and shines a bright spotlight on the talent originating from West Virginia’s public education system.