From a young age, Jeremiah Madedor, MSc, MD ’20, gained intimate knowledge of the disadvantages that stem from a lack of healthcare access.
His mother, who immigrated to the United States from Nigeria, pushed him to volunteer at the local Veterans Affairs hospital and homeless shelter, and he also went on mission trips with the family’s church. Then as a medical student at St. George’s University School of Medicine, he got hands-on experience working with the homeless population in New York City, as well as those who struggled to make ends meet.
“Those things really resonate with the soul and need to be addressed,” said Dr. Madedor. “I feel that, as a physician, I can do that.”
Dr. Madedor is currently an infectious disease fellow at MedStar Health – Georgetown University Hospital. He will complete his fellowship in July 2025.
“I hope to be able to learn more about HIV management and help that population the best way I can. I was given guidance by the wonderful infectious disease team during my clinicals at Brooklyn Hospital, and I have never looked back,” Dr. Madedor said.
Learn more about his SGU experience and journey to becoming a doctor.
SGU: Why was SGU the right fit for you?
Dr. Madedor: SGU School of Medicine was the perfect fit due to the diversity of the student body, professors, and new cultural experiences of the island. I was able to improve my studies skills, clinical acumen, and expand my horizons. I felt at home on the island from Day 1 and in my clinical rotations at Brooklyn Hospital.
SGU: What are the most significant problems facing healthcare in underserved communities?
Dr. Madedor: Means and access. Patients usually fall into those two categories. In terms of means, we’re talking about money, resources, insurance, and connections to get to a primary care provider or the medical help you need. For financial reasons, a lot of patients don’t see physicians. An emergency department visit can cost thousands of dollars even without surgery, and with surgery, you can be looking six or seven figures for the cost.
Access is just as bad as means because people may have the money or insurance, but if they don’t have the time to go for care, then nothing will be done. Several patients I see in the clinic skip appointments because they don’t have a babysitter or they work long days, and the list could go on.
SGU: Is there a case or experience that you can point to that brought your career path into focus?
Dr. Madedor: Working with SGU clinical faculty at Brooklyn Hospital taught me not to see a patient as a pit stop but, as a physician, you become their conduit who will guide them to their next destination. So with that in mind, I did my best to learn their cases better and do thorough chart reviews so I could prevent potential oversights. Then in the rooms, I treated them like human beings, because patients are more than stats, and sometimes we forget that with a busy schedule.
SGU: How would you describe your experience at SGU, and how has it prepared you for your career?
Dr. Madedor: SGU was one of the most challenging and exhausting journeys of my life. I wouldn’t change that for the world because it prepared for me the roadblocks ahead.
SGU took a student who was a potential diamond in the mine and refined him. Now I am a resident living out my dreams amongst the elite in my craft. From the days of eight-to-10-hour study dates, student support sessions, and rounding as a medical student, SGU provided the necessary environment for me to grow. With great resources, teaching, and great hospitals to rotate at, my experience couldn’t have been any better.
SGU: What is your favorite memory from your time on campus?
Dr. Madedor: Favorite part of SGU was leaving classes and getting food from all the vendors across the campus and island. The cultural hot spot was all in the foods we ate. From Grenadian oil down, to Indian Chicken Tikka Masala, to Greek Kitchen’s special you never had a dull moment with your plate and stomach. I can still taste the roti’s!
