A graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine, Boris Miokovic, MD ’21, has charted a path from his hometown of Kitchener in Waterloo, Canada, to a fulfilling career in internal medicine.
Today, he serves as a hospitalist at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, IL, while also shaping the future of medicine as a clinical educator for the University of Illinois Rural Student Physician Program.
Dr. Miokovic’s inspiration for medicine began during his undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo.
“I remember sitting in a human physiology lecture when Dr. Heidi Engelhardt asked our class, ‘What does the body want to do?’ No one answered, and she said, ‘It wants to maintain homeostasis,’” he recalled. “Even now, as a practicing internist, I think about that lesson every time I reflect on the body’s responses.”
After graduating from SGU, Dr. Miokovic completed his internal medicine residency at Norwalk Hospital/Yale University from 2021 to 2024, where he also mentored University of Vermont medical students as a clinical educator.
Now, he reflects on his journey from SGU to residency and into his current role, and the lessons he carries with him along the way.
SGU: What factors led you to choose SGU for medical school?
Dr. Miokovic: Unfortunately, I did not match into a Canadian medical school. It was too late to apply to American schools at that time, and I didn’t want to spend another year trying to get into a Canadian school when I knew I wanted to be a doctor.
When I was exploring my options, my program advisor suggested I consider Caribbean medical schools, noting that many graduates had gone on to successful careers. She connected me with a local neurologist who had taken that path, and he guided me through the process
SGU recognized my achievements at UW and offered me the Chancellor’s Scholarship, which made it an easy decision at that point.
SGU: How did your time at Waterloo help prepare you for the rigors of SGU’s medical program?
Dr. Miokovic: The University of Waterloo is best known for its excellence in engineering and computer science, but that same standard carries through all of its faculties. It founded the co-op work program, which helps students launch their careers after graduation, and it’s also a major research institution. Waterloo’s innovative culture was evident across campus—we were constantly encouraged to think creatively and push ourselves to be better.
SGU: What was your experience studying in Grenada for your Basic Sciences?
Dr. Miokovic: I loved Grenada! I grew up in Canada, so being able to escape the cold for a couple winters was amazing!
I made some great lifelong friends while there. I remember going to lecture in Patrick Adams and then studying in Lower Modica. If I needed a break, Grand Anse was a bus ride away.
Being in True Blue with so many medical students around me actually kept me focused and motivated. We all studied for the same tests and had the same post-test relief. It was great having the same schedule. Truly A 10/10 experience.
SGU: What was your experience during your clinical years?
Dr. Miokovic: I did my clinicals at NYC H+H Elmhurst Hospital. Queens is such a diverse population that it truly made me feel like an “international” student. I gained such an appreciation for all the communities of the world.
All of the teaching staff there were so kind and thoughtful. They really went out of their way to help us as students. From the internal medicine field and subspecialties, I encountered so many doctors that would help me grow and leave lasting impressions on me. From Dr. Thompson’s excitement about internal medicine to Dr. Castor’s amazing guidance while I was applying to residency, these doctors helped shape me into the physician I am today.
In fact, my experience serving the underserved community in Elmhurst inspired me to begin my career after residency in another underserved area, this time in rural Illinois.
SGU: How did both Waterloo and SGU help you achieve your dream of becoming a doctor?
Dr. Miokovic: Two of my high school friends have been with me every step of the way—from UW to Grenada, and then to New York City for clinicals. I remember sitting with them in the “dinosaur building” at Waterloo bummed out that between all of us we only had one combined interview in Canada, mine at University of Toronto. We decided then that we were going to apply internationally. Today all three of us are practicing physicians.
UW and SGU made all of our dreams come true! I am forever grateful for everything that happened. It turned out for the better.
Also, in my residency at Norwalk Hospital/Yale, I trained alongside another UW grad from my class. He’s now pursuing an ID fellowship at Yale New Haven. It’s amazing to think that, though we couldn’t find our path in the Canadian system, SGU opened the door to a Yale-affiliated residency. SGU makes dreams come true.
SGU: What advice would you give to a Waterloo student considering SGU?
Dr. Miokovic: I believe that SGU is a tried and proven path. It works. You must work hard. There are hurdles you must overcome, but it works.
