From Athlete to Aspiring Orthopedic Surgeon
Personal Encounters in Health Care Shaped Hirmand Salehi’s Future in Healing
While some people find their interest in medicine from a fascination with biology, Hirmand Salehi, SOM Class of 2028, found his at a hospital bedside when he was a child.
Early in his life, Salehi watched his mother undergo surgery to repair a heart valve defect. Witnessing her recovery, he realized the profound impact health care can have—not only on patients, but on their families as well. “That was my first real exposure to what medicine can do,” he recalled. “Seeing her get better showed me how meaningful that work truly is.”
At the University of Maryland, Salehi was on the pre-med track, studying physiology and neurobiology, while also playing soccer. During his senior year, he began working as a medical assistant at Metro Orthopedics and Sports Therapy, a role he held for three years. He gained hands-on experience in patient care, aiding people in their rehabilitation journey.
Salehi’s interest in orthopedics is closely intertwined with soccer, another defining part of his life. He played competitively throughout high school and college, later serving as an assistant coach for his high school’s boys’ varsity soccer team and competing in the United Premier Soccer League for two years. Soccer was a discipline and a refuge, especially while navigating pre-med coursework and MCAT preparation, Salehi said.
His first personal encounter with orthopedic care was during his senior year of high school. He suffered a broken ankle during what should have been a celebratory final home game with friends and family. Forced to miss the playoffs, he experienced the physical and emotional toll that comes with sports-related injuries. “Between my experience in high school and later as a medical assistant, I gained a deeper understanding of patient care and developed a strong passion for it,” he said.
Sports and medicine taught Salehi many life lessons: teamwork, leadership, and resilience under pressure. At New York Medical College, he has continued to pursue his interest in orthopedics through research, attending and presenting at multiple conferences. Notably, he presented his work analyzing frailty indices to predict adverse outcomes after lumbar fusion in degenerative spondylolisthesis in Las Vegas at the Orthopaedic Summit: Evolving Techniques in September 2025.
Although still early in his medical training, Salehi is confident in his goal of pursuing a career in orthopedic surgery. As an athlete, aspiring physician, and former patient, he brings a unique perspective that he hopes will inform the care he provides to future patients.
