Meet Dr. Elise Leger, a 2003 Salem Academy graduate and obstetrics and gynecologist at Physicians for Women of Greensboro. After Salem Academy, Dr. Leger graduated with a biology degree and a minor in Spanish from Wake Forest University and attended medical school at the University of Chapel Hill and completed her residency at Northwestern University in Chicago. She attributes much of her success to Salem because of the academic and life skills she learned while at the Academy.

How did you and your family decide that Salem Academy was right for you?
The high schools near my home in Lake Norman were not rigorous enough for what I wanted academically. I was active in the Junior Beta Club and our middle school’s student government. My friend in the grade above me, who was president of both, went to Salem after middle school. As soon as I heard she was going, I requested an information book from Salem. I devoured it – read it over and over every night before I went to sleep for months. I can still recall every picture and page layout all these years later.

What’s one thing about Salem Academy that you would like everyone to know?
You can do anything you want to do at Salem – if you want to be challenged academically (YOU WILL BE!), be active in sports every season, participate in clubs and student government, and also be heavily involved in arts (sing in the Glee Club and also be in all the plays), you can!

How does the Academy’s STEAM focus prepare students for college and careers?
It is the wave of the future. I believe it is important for girls especially to be exposed to STEAM curriculum as it has historically been a male-dominated area.

What’s your favorite memory of Salem Academy outside the classroom?
Just being able to be involved in extracurriculars in general. I can’t choose one memory! I was involved in everything – a sport every season for all four years, student government, Glee Club and spirit all four years, and I performed in almost every play. While Salem can be very competitive in many areas, it is small enough where even if you are new at something, you can try it out. Salem gives you the tools to succeed at the things you try!

How did Salem Academy prepare you for college?
I attribute much of my success to Salem – I was given the tools for success academically, support for growth in non-academics, and in life skills – (I had never done my own laundry before Salem)!

What lies ahead for you in terms of our career and continuing education?
I am a physician. Specifically, I am an OBGYN in Greensboro, North Carolina. I specialize in women’s health focusing on routine gynecologic care, delivering babies, and performing surgeries. I look forward to continuing to serve the women of the Triad region as an OBGYN in private practice.