When Dhruv Sutaria, MD ‘26 enrolled in St. George’s University School of Medicine’s 5 Year MD Track straight out of high school, he wasn’t entirely certain where his medical journey would lead. What began as a leap of faith soon evolved into a passion for patient care, sparked by the hands-on clinical experiences he gained during his third and fourth years of the MD program at SGU affiliated hospitals in New York.
Drawn to Internal Medicine for its diagnostic complexity and the opportunity to build lasting relationships with patients, Dr. Sutaria matched into the Internal Medicine Residency Program at The Brooklyn Hospital Center, fulfilling his long standing goal of training in New York. Along the way, he credits SGU’s rigorous academic curriculum, dedicated faculty, comprehensive student support, and diverse clinical training with preparing him to succeed in the USMLE examinations and residency match process.
Looking back, Dhruv says SGU gave him far more than a medical education. It gave him the direction, confidence, and support to discover his passion for medicine and build the skills needed to become a physician. From his time in Grenada to his clinical rotations in New York, every stage of his journey played an important role in shaping the doctor he is today.
SGU News spoke with Dr. Sutaria about his journey to medicine, his experience at SGU, and his advice for aspiring physicians.
SGU: What led you to choose St. George’s University for your medical education?
Dr. Sutaria: SGU stood out to me because of its academic curriculum and the opportunity to complete clinical training during the third and fourth years. I was particularly impressed by how structured and organized the program was, and I found the faculty to be supportive and invested in helping students succeed. It felt like an environment where I could grow both academically and personally.
SGU: Where did you intend to become a doctor? How did SGU help you achieve your dream of becoming a doctor?
Dr. Sutaria: My goal was always to match into a residency program in New York, a city known for its diverse patient population and broad clinical learning opportunities. SGU’s curriculum emphasized building a strong conceptual foundation while preparing students for the USMLE examinations. Combined with my clinical rotations and mentorship, it helped prepare me for the residency application process and ultimately achieve my goal.
SGU: How did SGU contribute to your academic success and prepare you for the USMLE exams?
Dr. Sutaria: Whenever I encountered academic challenges, SGU’s support services helped me overcome them. The Department of Educational Services and dedicated academic advisors didn’t just tell me what to study, they taught me how to study. That shift in approach had a profound impact on my USMLE performance and honestly shaped how I approach learning to this day.
SGU: What was your experience living and studying in Grenada? What stands out as a highlight?
Dr. Sutaria: Grenada remains my favourite country in the world. Those two years were the best of my life, not just academically, but in every sense. The positivity that fills the SGU community, combined with the stunning natural environment of the island, made for an experience I’ll never forget. My standout memory is studying in SGU’s beautiful study halls with the ocean stretching out endlessly right outside the window. After a long day of studying, that view was everything. It’s one of those rare places where you genuinely feel grateful to be where you are.
SGU: Were you involved in any clubs or student organizations on campus? How did those experiences shape your journey?
Dr. Sutaria: I served as a Global Peer Mentor with the International Student Organization (ISO), where I mentored 11 incoming students and co-coordinated a four-day orientation program for more than 20 new students. Supporting students as they adjusted to university life strengthened my leadership, communication, and empathy—qualities that continue to benefit me as a physician.
SGU: Where did you complete your clinical rotations, and what was that experience like?
Dr. Sutaria: I completed my clinical rotations in New York, and the experience was nothing short of transformative. I was exposed to a diverse range of patient populations, hospital systems, and pathologies. That diversity shaped me into a doctor who leads with patient-centered care and evidence-based medicine: values I’ll carry into residency and beyond.
SGU: How did your Basic Sciences training prepare you for clinical rotations, and how do you see your clinical experience supporting your path to residency?
Dr. Sutaria: Basic Sciences at SGU taught me something more valuable than any single fact: how to learn. Medical school demands that you absorb enormous volumes of information efficiently and SGU trained me to find the techniques that worked for me, prioritizing quality of understanding over sheer quantity. That foundation made me a stronger, more adaptable student when I entered clinical rotations. The variety of hospital systems and patient populations I encountered during rotations then helped me build the connections and credibility that supported my path to residency.
SGU: What was your experience during the residency match process? How did SGU’s Office of Career Guidance support you?
Dr. Sutaria: The match process is high stakes in every sense, every element matters, from which programs you apply to, to your letters of recommendation, personal statement, and interview performance. SGU’s Office of Career Guidance was a genuine lifeline during this period. They kept me on track with timely advice and reminders, and their personal statement reviewing team helped me refine my statement into something that truly represented me. I genuinely believe their support contributed to where I am today.
SGU: What did it feel like when you matched into residency?
Dr. Sutaria: Matching into residency is the proudest moment of my life. Years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance all converged into a single moment. But what made it most meaningful wasn’t just the achievement itself, it was seeing the joy on the faces of my family and friends. That made everything worth it.
SGU: What drew you to your chosen specialty, and how do you hope to make an impact in this field?
Dr. Sutaria: Internal Medicine stood out to me from the start of my clinical rotations because of its emphasis on clinical reasoning and solving complex medical cases. I also value the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients while practicing across a broad range of medicine. My goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care and make a meaningful impact in underserved communities, beginning in Brooklyn.
SGU: What advice would you give to aspiring medical students from India considering SGU?
Dr. Sutaria: SGU is the right choice if you have big dreams and are willing to work for them. SGU can offer a wealth of learning opportunities and support throughout your medical journey. The resources are there, but your success depends on the effort and commitment you put in. For me, making the most of those opportunities played an important role in my growth as a medical student and future physician.
