How a Chance Injury Inspired Walid Saleh’s Path to Medicine
Walid Saleh’s path to becoming a physician assistant began in his family’s tire shop in Louisiana.
From Tire Shop to Healthcare
Shortly after high school, he was managing the shop when a cut from a blown-out tire sent him to urgent care. There, he met a PA who changed the course of his life.
“I was struck by how he balanced skill with compassion,” Saleh said. “Before that, I thought healthcare was just doctors and nurses. That encounter opened my eyes to a profession built on teamwork, empathy, and lifelong learning.”
That pivotal moment sparked a new academic journey defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to patient-centered care. His early experiences managing the family business taught him patience, communication, and how to meet people at their most frustrated — skills that now guide his approach in healthcare.
“In both tire repair and medicine,” he said, “you learn how you treat people matters as much as what you do for them.”
Committed to Care and Connection
Before entering Lawrence Technological University’s Physician Associate program, Saleh worked in urgent care clinics in Berkley and Van Buren, where he gained a deep appreciation for teamwork and diversity in healthcare.
Every role — from receptionist to physician — helped shape his patient care, empathy, and compassion. “Collaboration with the patient is what makes good care possible,” he said.
Now serving as Class President of LTU’s PA cohort, Saleh leads with empathy and purpose.
“PA school can be overwhelming,” he said. “My goal is to make sure my classmates feel supported, heard, and connected, and to remind us all why we’re here, which is to care for others and each other.”
Fluent in English and Arabic, Saleh finds language bridges more than communication. It builds trust. “When I speak to Arabic-speaking patients in their native language, you can see the relief,” he said. “It’s about making people feel seen and safe.”
His dedication recently earned him the National Health Service Corps Scholarship, awarded to future healthcare providers committed to helping underserved communities.
For Saleh, it’s both an honor and a responsibility. “This scholarship reaffirms my mission to make healthcare more human and accessible,” he said. “My goal is to be the kind of provider who listens, understands, and helps patients feel cared for, inside and out.”
His Greatest Motivation
Outside of school and medicine, Saleh’s greatest source of motivation comes from his family, including his wife, Sarina Algaheim; son, Ayoub, 2; and new daughter, Ayah.
“I would like to thank my wife for her endless support and patience,” he said. “I couldn’t do any of this without her. My family reminds me every day why compassion matters most. They’re my reason for everything I do.”
By: Ted Coutilish
