For Hajong Lee, MD ’25, MPH, a St. George’s University School of Medicine graduate, the journey to medicine began long before medical school. Originally from South Korea and raised in the Philippines, he grew up in a community where access to healthcare was limited and the need was immense.
His parents were involved in mission work, and his mother served as a nurse and midwife, caring for individuals and families with very few resources. Watching their work left a lasting impression and shaped his understanding of what it truly means to be a physician.
“Medicine is not only science, but also presence, trust, service, and responsibility,” he says.
That early exposure instilled in him both a sense of purpose and a desire to serve communities facing similar challenges. While his interest in science grew naturally, it was these lived experiences that solidified his commitment to medicine. From Yonsei University to SGU, Dr. Lee remained focused on a long-held goal: to train and practice in the United States. SGU played a defining role in turning that vision into reality.
“SGU was the bridge between the dream I had carried since childhood and the reality of becoming a physician,” he reflects. Through its academic structure, global community, and US clinical opportunities, SGU provided a pathway that allowed him to transform years of dedication into a successful residency match in Emergency Medicine at New York Medical College – Metropolitan/Harlem Hospital Center.
Now beginning the next chapter of his career, Dr. Lee carries forward the same motivation that first inspired him, a commitment to serve, adapt, and be present for patients when they need it most.
SGU News spoke with Dr. Lee to learn more about the path that led him to the front lines of Emergency Medicine in New York City.
SGU: What led you to choose St. George’s University for your medical education?
Dr. Lee: I had known about SGU since high school as a place that creates real opportunities for international students to train and practice in the United States. During my undergraduate years, that understanding deepened when my childhood best friend was accepted to SGU and a Yonsei University peer who attended the school became an important mentor to me.
I also learned more through SGU’s connection with my university and an informational session in Korea led by a SGU faculty. The more I learned, the more SGU felt like the right fit for me.
SGU: Where did you intend to become a doctor? How did SGU help you achieve your dream of becoming a doctor?
Dr. Lee: My goal was always to train and practice medicine in the United States. As an international student, that path can feel distant and complex, but SGU provided a clear and structured way to make it possible.
SGU allowed me to complete my clinical rotations in the US, learn within the US healthcare system, and follow a structure that was already familiar to many alumni who had successfully matched into residency before me. The established pathway, combined with a strong alumni network, gave me both direction and reassurance.
The journey was not easy, but SGU gave me the roadmap, resources, and environment where my efforts could lead to the outcome I had been working toward.
SGU: How did SGU contribute to your academic success and prepare you for the USMLE exams?
Dr. Lee: The USMLE process is inherently high stakes, but SGU gave me the foundation and support I needed to approach it with confidence. The curriculum provided a strong grounding in the Basic Sciences, along with the structure, resources, and faculty support essential for effective board preparation.
With consistent effort and the resources available at SGU, I passed Step 1 on my first attempt and achieved competitive scores on Step 2 and Step 3. Serving as a peer tutor and learning group facilitator also played a key role in my success.
Teaching others helped me deepen my understanding, refine my study strategies, and communicate complex concepts in a clear and practical way.
SGU: What was your experience living and studying in Grenada? What stands out as a highlight?
Dr. Lee: I began medical school during the COVID pandemic, so most of my Basic Sciences were completed online. I was grateful to spend my final term in Grenada and experience the campus in person.
Grenada is a beautiful island, and the campus felt closely connected to its natural surroundings. In many ways, it reminded me of growing up in the Philippines and the island-hopping trips I enjoyed.
The highlight was being fully immersed in the SGU environment: studying alongside classmates, connecting with faculty in person, and experiencing the energy of campus life after so much time online.
SGU: Were you involved in any clubs or student organizations on campus? How did those experiences shape your journey?
Dr. Lee: I was involved with the Korean Students Association, the IEA Honors Club, and served as an Outstanding Peer Learning Group Facilitator with the Department of Educational Services. Each experience shaped me in meaningful ways.
The Korean Students Association gave me a strong sense of community, especially while studying far from home. My tutoring and peer learning roles allowed me to give back while also strengthening my own understanding. Teaching helped me organize concepts clearly, communicate effectively, and think more strategically about learning.
Beyond academics, these experiences helped me build lasting relationships with classmates and faculty that became an important part of my SGU journey.
SGU: How did your Basic Sciences training prepare you for clinical rotations?
Dr. Lee: I was surprised by how often my Basic Sciences training was applied during clinical rotations. While real patients are far more complex than textbooks, that foundation helped me understand what I was seeing and ask better questions.
Subjects like physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology became the language I used to interpret patient care.
SGU: Where did you complete your clinical rotations, and what were your key takeaways?
Dr. Lee: I completed most of my clinical rotations in New York City, where the experience was intense, challenging, and incredibly formative. I worked with diverse patient populations and encountered a wide range of conditions in high-volume, high-acuity settings.
My biggest takeaway was that clinical training is where medicine truly becomes real. Beyond diagnosis and treatment, it taught me communication, teamwork, humility, and adaptability. It was a defining part of shaping me into the physician I aspire to be.
SGU: What was your experience during the residency match process? How did SGU’s Office of Career Guidance support you?
Dr. Lee: The residency match process was one of the most challenging and uncertain parts of my journey, requiring careful planning and resilience.
SGU’s Office of Career Guidance and faculty mentors provided invaluable support through advising, practical guidance, and encouragement. Their insight and accessibility helped me navigate the process and stay focused during a demanding time.
SGU: What did it feel like when you matched into residency?
Dr. Lee: It was a mix of excitement, relief, and gratitude. Matching felt like the culmination of years of hard work and the start of the next chapter.
The moment itself was unexpectedly simple. I saw the “Congratulations” email before I could open my results as planned, and I just laughed. It was a small, human moment in the middle of something life changing.
SGU: What drew you to emergency medicine, and how do you hope to make an impact in this field?
Dr. Lee: Emergency Medicine felt like the right fit from the start. It reflects the kind of physician I always hoped to become, someone who can respond in critical moments and care for patients when they are most vulnerable.
I value the specialty’s focus on adaptability, teamwork, and broad patient care. My goal is simple: to become a physician who can be useful anywhere, whether in a busy emergency department or an underserved setting.
SGU: What advice would you give to aspiring medical students from your home country considering SGU?
Dr. Lee: Start early, seek mentors, and learn from those who have already gone through the process. Focus on what truly matters, including academics, USMLE preparation, clinical performance, and meaningful experiences.
Stay informed, do your own research, and understand both US and home country requirements. Most importantly, be genuine. The way you approach your journey and the relationships you build along the way matter just as much as the outcome.
