School News

The Marines & Medicine: Paul Salem '95

Paul Salem '95 was profiled in the May-June 2012 issue of Duke University's Alumni Magazine as the oldest member of the class of 2012 and its only combat veteran. After serving in the US Marine Corps as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Paul went to Duke with an interest in pursuing medicine.

In an effort to deepen his experience in the classroom, he volunteered extensively, donating time to Duke Hospice, Duke Emergency Medical Services, and the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center's Extended Care and Rehabilitation Center.

He reflects, "As a Marine, you're trained to take action and accomplish the mission at hand…. My hope in doing the volunteer work I did in hospice and the clinic setting was that I would learn to be a more compassionate caregiver." Paul initially wanted to specialize in emergency or trauma medicine, but after volunteering, he shifted his perspective: "I've had to consider that hard work and preparation, while not necessary, are not sufficient for living with clear moral purpose. I hope that learning to become a physician will allow me to combine the discipline and perseverance I learned in the military with an appreciation for the beauty of human life."

Paul is deepening this learning with a move to Minnesota to attend Mayo Medical School in the fall of 2012. Although he is still choosing his specialization, Paul's purpose is still clear: "I just want to take care of human beings in the most satisfying way possible."
Lowell School is a private PK-8th grade school located in NW Washington, DC. Our mission is to create an inclusive community of lifelong learners in which each individual is valued and respected.