Alumnae Stories
Alumnae Stories
“Of all my educational experiences, Salem Academy was the most pivotal in terms of making me who I am. It taught me how to handle challenges and it solidified my independence. At the same time, Salem gave me a sense of home and made me part of a family-like community.”
Lalitha Vadlamani-Simmers A’87, MD
After graduating from Salem Academy, Dr. Lalitha Vadlamani-Simmers A’87 attended Duke University (B.S. in Zoology) and East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine (M.D.). She also served six years of active duty in the Air Force.
Now a pediatrician practicing in Florida, Lalitha credits Salem for helping her fulfill her life-long dream. “I knew I wanted to go to medical school since I was 8 years old and Salem was a big part of my support system,” she said. “My biology teacher, Ann Dowell, approached me about a Jan Term internship, which I didn’t think was possible as a high school student.”
“I ended up doing two internships at Forsyth Medical Center — one in the ER and another in Labor and Delivery. It was the first time I’d been in a medical setting watching medicine being practiced. It piqued my interest even more.”