As a graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine, Duduzile Musa, MD ’02 has always found medicine to be more than a profession—it’s a calling rooted in community and compassion. Born in the UK and raised in Zimbabwe, Dr. Musa’s upbringing was steeped in values of service and responsibility. These early experiences shaped her path toward medicine.
“I’ve always been drawn to people, their stories, their challenges, and how we can be part of the solution,” she shared. “Medicine gave me the platform to do that meaningfully,” she shared.”
Dr. Musa chose SGU for its academic rigor and global clinical opportunities. During medical school, she completed her core clinical rotations in the UK, an experience that proved pivotal, setting the stage for her future career with the National Health Service (NHS).
“That early exposure to the NHS was absolutely key,” she said. “Understanding the systems, the team dynamics, and the patient care culture gave me confidence and familiarity when I returned to practice in the UK.”
Dr. Musa credits SGU’s flexibility and clinical training options in the UK as a major advantage in her journey. “Having the chance to learn within the NHS while still a student gave me a head start. I already knew how ward rounds worked, how to interact within multidisciplinary teams, and how care is structured in UK hospitals. That made all the difference.”
Today, she serves as a consultant in acute and internal medicine at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital where she leads high-pressure frontline care while mentoring future clinicians.
“The transition wasn’t always easy, but it was deeply enriching,” Dr. Musa reflected. “Adapting to the UK system meant learning fast, everything from terminology and prescribing to understanding NHS workflows. But it also reminded me how resilient and capable international medical graduates truly are.”
Now thriving in her consultant role, Dr. Musa represents the strength, adaptability, and excellence that SGU-trained doctors bring to the NHS. SGU News spoke to Dr. Musa about her journey from medical student to consultant, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
SGU: Why did you choose SGU for your medical education? How did it support your goal of practicing in the UK?
Dr. Musa: When I first joined SGU, my goal was to build a career in the US. At the time, that was the typical path for many students, and the curriculum was geared toward USMLE success. But life took a turn, and I decided to return to the UK. Although it wasn’t my original plan, SGU still gave me the academic and clinical foundation I needed to adapt.
SGU: Can you describe your journey from SGU to entering the UK Foundation Programme? What were some of the key steps?
Dr. Musa: After graduating from SGU, I completed my residency training in the United States and became an attending physician in internal medicine. I sat for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) exams and practiced in the US before deciding to relocate to the UK. Because I held ABIM certification, I was eligible for General Medical Council (GMC) registration without needing to take Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exams.
However, at the time, my experience as an attending in the US wasn’t enough to directly enter the UK’s Specialist Register. So instead, I applied to the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) and was accepted into Higher Specialty Training (HST) in both acute medicine and internal medicine.
SGU: How did SGU prepare you academically and clinically for your transition to the UK healthcare system?
Dr. Musa: Doing all my third-year core rotations in the UK gave me a really solid foundation in how the NHS operates, not just from a clinical perspective, but also in terms of the culture, structure, and day-to-day rhythm of hospital life. Even though I went on to complete residency training in the US, that early exposure meant I already understood key elements like ward rounds, working within multidisciplinary teams, documentation standards, and how care is delivered across the system. That foundation made a huge difference when I came back to practice in the UK. SGU’s flexibility in offering UK-based clinical placements was a real strength, it gave me a head start and made the transition back much smoother.
SGU: What was the most memorable part of your SGU experience?
Dr. Musa: Grenada holds a special place in my heart. There was something unforgettable about studying medicine with the sound of the ocean in the background and a view of the black sand beach on the campus are moments that stay with you. Life there was intense but full of character. I have such fond memories of grabbing a roti and a glass of passionfruit juice between study sessions.
SGU: What drew you to acute medicine? How do you see yourself making a meaningful contribution in this field?
Dr. Musa: I actually fell into acute medicine; it wasn’t the original plan! I’d always envisioned a career in surgery, but my surgical electives in the US were a turning point, and not in the way I expected. That experience helped me realize that my strengths and interests were better aligned with internal medicine.
After residency, I spent several years as a hospitalist, which gave me a solid foundation in managing acute presentations and coordinating care for diverse patient populations. So, when I returned to the UK, acute medicine felt like a natural progression. It’s fast-paced, intellectually stimulating, and deeply collaborative. I love that I get to be at the frontline of care, make a real impact in critical moments, and mentor junior doctors along the way. It’s a specialty where you’re constantly learning and that’s something I truly value.
SGU: What advice would you give to current or prospective SGU students hoping to work in the UK after graduation?
Dr. Musa: Plan early. If your goal is to practice in the UK, start looking into the requirements as soon as possible. Things have improved over the years, and there are more structured pathways now, but it still takes initiative and solid organization to navigate. Tap into the alumni network, connect with people who’ve been through the process, and really familiarize yourself with the key steps. It’s doable, but it’s not something you want to be figuring out at the last minute.
