Forman Scholar John Mulhorn Eyes Career in Medicine as Opportunity to Serve Others

John Mulhorn is no stranger to the Salem community. His father, John Mulhorn, Sr., is a lifelong educator and the current principal of Salem High School. John has always been inspired by his father and other educators and hopes to emulate their spirit of service with a career in medicine in the future. John will take the first step toward making his dream a reality this fall when he begins his studies at the University of Pittsburgh, with the ultimate goal of attending medical school and serving his community as either a pediatrician, oncologist or orthopedic surgeon.

John knows full well the educational challenges that lie ahead. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) scholar, John challenged himself throughout his academic career by immersing himself in a fast-paced and demanding learning environment. In fact, John first considered a career in medicine while completing his IB science courses at Salem High.

“While taking IB science courses, I had the opportunity to analyze microscopic cells, operate lab equipment and think critically about the systems that create and sustain life,” said John. “I want to continue learning about the foundations of medicine. Medical professionals are such an integral and necessary part of our society, and my hope is to one day treat members of my community and help them live happy and healthy lives.”

In addition to majoring in biology on a pre-med track, John plans to minor in Spanish. He hopes this will allow him to remove language barriers to receiving compassionate care for members of the Spanish-speaking community. 

John made the most of his four years at Salem High by participating in a variety of athletic, academic and artistic extracurricular activities. A three-sport athlete, John competed on the varsity soccer, baseball, winter track and spring track teams. He excelled in a number of the school’s musicals and represented his alma mater as a member of the academic league. Through it all, John enjoyed tremendous support from his family, friends and the greater Salem community.

“I’ve surrounded myself with the same group of people my entire life. Salem is such a tight-knit community, and we treat one another like family,” said John. “My experiences growing up here have prepared me to embark upon the next chapter of my life with an open mind, and I am excited to see where my journey takes me.”

Although John will miss his beloved Salem community, he is excited about his upcoming move to Pittsburgh. John has fond memories of traveling to the Steel City as a kid, connecting with family in the area and attending Steelers’ training camps. He cannot wait to call the area ‘home’ and explore all that the city has to offer over the next few years.

For those immersed in the college application process, John emphasizes how crucial it is for students to remain true to themselves and seek out a school that feels right to them.

“Selecting a college or university is a major life decision, one that requires a lot of thought and reflection,” said John. “While it’s perfectly all right to seek out others’ input and suggestions, you also must be confident in your selection. Trust your gut, and choose a school where you can envision yourself as a student rather than a school others think you should go to.”