For St. George’s University School of Medicine graduate Jordan Kalosieh, MD ’21, the path to medicine was paved with a love for science and a passion for connecting with people.
Dr. Kalosieh is in her fourth year of psychiatry residency and serves as chief resident at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in Aventura, FL. In her role, she is dedicated to providing compassionate mental health care.
“My decision to become a doctor started off as a love for science having an extroverted personality, but I didn’t end up solidifying my decision until I worked in a community health clinic,” said Dr. Kalosieh, who is originally from Somers, NY. “I have always enjoyed supporting people, and when I realized how passionate I was about healthcare, going into medicine felt like the clear choice. Lastly, the need we have in America for psychiatrists reinforced my choice.”
Dr. Kalosieh’s interest in psychiatry began early in her medical education at SGU. She was drawn to the complexities of the human mind and the evolving nature of psychiatric treatment.
“Psychiatry struck me as the most interesting subject as early as my Basic Science years,” she said. “The amount of continued research in the field, which lead to the creation of novel mechanisms for pharmaceuticals, keeps me engaged, as there is always something new to learn.”
Now a practicing physician, Dr. Kalosieh takes pride in creating a safe, non-judgmental space where her patients feel heard, supported, and empowered to live their healthiest lives.
SGU News learned more from Dr. Kalosieh about her journey from med student to psychiatrist.
St. George’s University: What have been some of your favorite experiences so far in residency?
Dr. Kalosieh: It’s definitely a challenge deciding a favorite. In the beginning of residency, the highlights included:
- running a treatment team for the first time where I felt I had autonomy to advocate for my patients,
- giving a lecture at a local medical school, and
- being assigned my own clinic office.
As time went on, I was selected by the residents and attendings to be the chief resident. I feel the thing I will miss the most post-residency is spending time with my incredible team.
SGU: Why did you choose SGU?
Dr. Kalosieh: Honestly, I feel like SGU chose me. After my acceptance, I flew to Grenada to observe a class and take a tour. I was skeptical going in but pretty immediately fell in love with the campus. The staff were warm and engaging, the students were friendly, and the weather was perfect. Being at a medical school with good morale and a campus with unbeatable views felt too good to be true. When I looked into the school’s residency match rates and USMLE Step 1 pass rates, my decision was made.
SGU: How did SGU help you reach where you are today?
Dr. Kalosieh: At SGU, I found a supportive environment, excellent faculty, vast resources, and an incredible network of peers.
SGU really allowed me to foster an individual path. I felt like I had the permission and support in medical school to chase my dreams, join new clubs, and create and host events. I was also able to participate in clinical rotations all over the US. All of these experiences were incredibly empowering.
I think being able to do those things makes SGU students strong, interesting candidates who are able to showcase their work ethics on their CVs and in residency applications. Undoubtedly, I would not be the physician I am today without SGU.
SGU: You are actually married to an SGU grad, Daniel Karpel, MD ’21—can you tell us more about how you met?
Dr. Kalosieh: Daniel and I were in the same term at SGU and met during our first year through friends. We connected pretty quickly and decided by our second year that we wanted to complete clinics together near my family in the northeast. Thankfully, we were placed together all of third year at Hackensack University Medical Center for our core rotations.
Then, COVID-19 hit trapping us in our 800 square foot, 14th story apartment. Making it through that while in medical school made it clear that it was the perfect match. We got engaged and subsequently couples matched the following year in psychiatry and internal medicine. We were married 1 week before graduation and the rest is history! Today, he is a cardiology fellow at the same hospital as me.
What advice do you have for aspiring med students considering SGU?
Dr. Kalosieh:If you know you want to be a doctor, trust yourself and stay committed to your dream. The journey through medical school requires dedication, resilience, and passion. Stay focused, embrace the learning process, and remember that every step forward brings you closer to your future as a physician.
