Discover Why SGU Stands Out: 10 Reasons to Apply
The human body is interconnected. So is our curriculum.
Unlocking Learning:
The Basic Sciences Come to Life
MD '08, MSc '20
Essentially, in the Basic Sciences, we set the framework for all of the foundational requirements of clinical skills; then in their clinical years they have to apply that knowledge to real patients with all the complexity of real patient presentation.”
Mark Clunes
– Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
– Senior Associate Dean of Basic Sciences for School of Medicine
SGU emphasizes a patient-centered approach to patient care. As the name indicates, most of the student experiences are designed to be hands-on, including via small groups and hospital SIM lab visits, to offer students the opportunity to develop and become competent of their clinical skills.”
Dr. Anna Cyrus-Murden
– Deputy Chair and Assistant Professor, Clinical Skills, School of Medicine
– Simulation Center Director
Real World Medical Scenarios
A big advantage to studying in Grenada is the early hands-on experience that students take part in with the local population. Volunteering, pop-up clinics, etc.
Spend a day with SOM student Rachel Nelson, who wrapped up her term 5 clinical training at Grenada General Hospital.
Real World Medical Scenarios
A big advantage to studying in Grenada is the early hands-on experience that students take part in with the local population. Volunteering, pop-up clinics, etc.
Spend a day with SOM student Rachel Nelson, who wrapped up her term 5 clinical training at Grenada General Hospital.
Practice/Learn Abroad
Hone your cultural understanding and competency in providing medical care through unique study abroad experiences.
Completing medical school at SGU has helped me to have a diverse training experience and maintain a holistic view of the patient. The variety of experiences provided during both basic sciences and clinical clerkships allowed me to develop a solid medical foundation, and also introduced me to a range of experiences outside of clinical practice.”
Sydney Asselstine, MD ’19
Family Medicine
Deep Dive: Basic Sciences
SGU's basic science curriculum is a system based, spiral curriculum.
What’s a Spiral Curriculum?
Learning as a Journey
Think of learning as climbing a spiral staircase. Each step you take, you revisit the same views but from a higher, more insightful perspective.
Building Skills
Just like leveling up in a game, you build on what you already know, adding new skills and knowledge as you go.
Revisiting Concepts
You encounter important topics again and again, each time exploring them deeper, making the complex clear, and finding new connections.
Something I enjoy about SGU’s curriculum is definitely the system based, aspect of it. We get chunks, modules-it’s kind of like a chapter, if you think about it in terms of undergrad. It kind of builds a whole story of that system for our students. It makes it holistic and integrates all the material, which is great. I think it helps us retain more information. And to build upon that, going from years one to two of your basic sciences, you get multiple passes at those systems. It encourages you to learn from term one, then also realize that you don’t have to know everything, but the more I get in right now, the easier my upper term will be.”
Alexis Martens
School of Medicine student, St. George’s University
Meet your first "patients" / Early hands-on experience
In Clinical Skills (CS), students are taught to:
- Develop their communication and interpersonal skills with patients, families, and other members of the care team, and examine patients
- Develop clinical reasoning skills
- Document findings from a patient encounter
- Understand the important role of the doctor-patient relationship in patient care.
Train here, become eligible to practice anywhere
SGU School of Medicine has the most licensed physicians in the United States, and we remain devoted to maintaining strong compliance with medical accreditation standards, that enables our graduates to practice in all 50 states and elsewhere around the world.”
Dr. Marios Loukas
– President, SGU
– Dean, School of Medicine
Our accreditations by GMDC and WFME allow for students to come from anywhere and become eligible to practice anywhere.
Our Accreditation Status
I have dreamed of becoming a doctor in the US since I was a teenager. SGU’s focus on academics and research is second to none. The training in the US has prepared me to go anywhere in the world to practice medicine.”
Yat Ching Fung, MD ’24
Obstetrics and Gynecology
13,000+
Physicians
Over 13,000 of our graduates are currently licensed to practice in the US, making SGU the largest source of physicians in the entire country.
Data as of April 2025.
50+
Countries
Graduates have practiced in every state in the US as well as more than 50 countries.
Data as of April 2025.
11
Years
For the 11th year in a row, SGU is the largest provider of new doctors to the US healthcare system.
Data as of April 2025.
SGU plays a role in addressing the primary care shortage in the US.
In 2025, 65% of US residencies were placed in primary care specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, and OB/GYN.
Data as of April 2025.
1/3 of SGU currently-practicing graduates are in rural and urban medically underserved areas.
MUA/Ps are designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration at:
Data as of April 2025.
Graduates practicing in Medically Underserved Areas/Population
All other graduates
Your new classroom: The hospital
SGU students have access to 85+ clinical locations in the US, Canada, UK, and Grenada
No matter which location you complete your clinical rotation at, you will have the same curriculum as your classmates in Miami, Chicago, New York, and beyond.
You’re not alone. SGU students complete their clinical training at hospitals in cohorts. You will be able to lean on your built-in community of your peers as you all begin this new chapter in your medical education together.
Now, a different kind of learning
During the third year of med school, you complete core clinical rotations in specialties like internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry. The fourth year is a year of your own design where you can participate in electives like cardiology, radiology, and orthopedic surgery.
This is an exciting time for students, as this is a different kind of learning now. You have finally completed your prerequisite training and can put on your white coat and venture into the hospital wards. In clinicals, you will make use of your soft skills to assess and treat patients with other doctors.”
Dr. Robert Grant
Senior Associate Dean of Clinical Studies, School of Medicine
New location, same level of support
The primary goal of SOM is to support you through your medical education and ensure that you have the skillset and knowledge to be successful on your path to becoming a physician. Once you leave Grenada, the same attention, guidance, and support follows you to your clinical location. This comes in the form of SGU clinical faculty who:
- Are practicing doctors and oversee students onsite
- Keep in touch with students regularly during their rotations and provide academic support
- Guide students through the residency application process
Narrowing your focus and leaving your mark
During clinical rotations, you are exposed to multiple specialties for you to consider for a career in medicine. You can find new passions you may not have considered before. It is at this point in your journey to MD you begin to truly feel like a doctor.
From student to practitioner: Your residency journey
SGU grads match into a broad range of specialties…
US residency placement rate for graduates over the last five years.*
*Average of 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 residency placement rates. Residency placement rate is defined as the total number of students/graduates who obtained a US residency divided by the total number of students/graduates who applied to a US residency program in a given year as of September 2025.
Match Day 2025
US Residency Placement by Specialty
- 5% Psychiatry
- 7% Surgery
- 1% Transitional Year
- 2% Anesthesiology
- 2% Obstetrics & Gynecology
- 1% Pathology
- 1% Neurology
- 5% All Others*
*All others: Anatomical Pathology, Child Neurology (N), Diagnostic Radiology, Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Neurological Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Urological Surgery, Urology, Vascular Surgery (GS). Data as of April 2025.
Every year, hundreds of SGU grads see their dreams of becoming a doctor realized as they match into residency.
Take a glimpse at the success of our gradsEvery year, hundreds of SGU grads see their dreams of becoming a doctor realized as they match into residency.
Take a glimpse at the success of our gradsSetting you up for success from the start
Starting from Term 1, the Office of Career Guidance is there to support the student and help get them to the finish line—residency.”
John Madden, MD ’81
– Associate Dean of Students (US), School of Medicine
– Director, Office of Career Guidance
Support from OCG is an individualized experience helping to track each student’s next steps toward residency.
OCG is part of SGU’s advisement system that connects students with advisors and mentors to prepare them for residency applications and Match during their third and fourth years of school.
I have dreamed of becoming a doctor in the US since I was a teenager. SGU’s focus on academics and research is second to none. The training in the US has prepared me to go anywhere in the world to practice medicine.”
Devon Thomas, MD ’20
Urology
Fostering a spirit of inquiry
By participating in research, students transition from just being consumers of information to becoming creators, helping to fill the gaps in the field that were missing and potentially devising innovative solutions to improve patient care.
Dr. Martin Forde
Assistant Dean of Research, School of Medicine
A commitment to research
SGU’s medical education emphasizes the importance of research, offering students in both basic sciences and clinical rotations opportunities to engage in meaningful research and scholarly activities. Participating in research helps develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to interpret evidence-based medicine. Additionally, it boosts student development and enhances competitiveness when applying to residency programs.
Engaging in diverse research across various fields of internal medicine has helped me develop my curiosity for uncovering rare exceptions within clinical medicine.”
Karmen Brar, MD ’24
who presented her findings of a rare case of spindle cell carcinoma and the approach taken in treating the patient during her SGU clinical rotations at the 2023 annual CHEST conference.
I have dreamed of becoming a doctor in the US since I was a teenager. SGU’s focus on academics and research is second to none. The training in the US has prepared me to go anywhere in the world to practice medicine.”
Alyssa Asaro, MD ’25
on her presentation at the American Radium Society’s 2024 annual conference. Alyssa was first co-author on research that explored the intersection between healthcare and climate change by quantifying the total carbon emissions stemming from delivering radiation therapy across the United States.
Medical Student Research Institute (MSRI)
For those who demonstrate academic excellence, SGU’s Medical Student Research Institute offers students ways to further hone their research skills by working with assigned faculty mentors on a project.
Current and past research spans a wide range of topics, including:
- Investigating the health impacts of pollutants like bisphenol and PFAS, or improved water filtration systems, on overall health.
- Using computer modeling to predict how changes to the Oct4 protein, a protein involved in human embryo development, might affect other stages of embryo development, potentially leading to different diseases. in disease-related forms may affect its function using computer models.
- Finding a safer alternative to the use of xylene, a highly toxic substance, as a clearing agent for routine histopathological staining
- Studies focused on critical public health issues such as the impacts of hurricanes, stroke awareness, and HPV vaccination efforts.
Faculty research
Recognizing that research is an integral part of a University, the School of Medicine established a Faculty Research Institute (FRI). This institute provides our faculty with support to engage in research and related scholarly activities, and, importantly, with tools and resources to allow them to mentor and engage interested students in research projects.
Recognizing excellence
The School of Medicine community is actively engaged in meaningful research and contributing to advancements in medical knowledge and practice. In 2024:
This presentation allowed me to display my potential to make my own contribution to gastroenterology and meet other medical students, physicians, and residency program directors to participate with in future research projects.”
Bjorn Rodriguez, MD ’25
who won the Presidential Award for presentation on his case study presentation of a patient with gastrointestinal hemorrhage at the 2024 American College of Gastroenterology conference.
Meet your Mentors: Inspiring Excellence in Medical Education
World-Class Instruction, Right Here in Grenada
At SGU, your journey starts with exceptional faculty who are dedicated to your success. With 400+ faculty based on our beautiful Grenada campus, you’ll benefit from a personalized, world-class education during your Basic Sciences years.
Our faculty represent 35 countries and bring diverse global perspectives to the classroom. Each is highly qualified with MDs, PhDs, or equivalent advanced degrees, ensuring you receive the highest level of medical training. Their commitment to your growth—both academically and personally—sets SGU apart and prepares you for success in the U.S. and beyond.
Dr. Ewarld MarshallChair of the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine
As a practicing physician, I can touch many lives by seeing patients, but I think I make a bigger impact when I teach medical students."
Dr. Christofre MartinProfessor of Biochemistry, School of Medicine
I get excited about teaching in my field and try to transmit that enthusiasm to my students. I do this by expressing my passion in the classroom and holding the students' attention by bring fun in class, and sometimes a bit crazy."
Dr. Anna Cyrus-MurdenDeputy chair and assistant professor of the School of Medicine’s Department of Clinical Skills and director of the Simulation Center
SGU emphasizes a patient-centered approach to patient care. Most of the student experiences are designed to be hands-on, including via small groups and hospital SIM lab visits, to offer students the opportunity to develop and become competent of their clinical skills."
Interactive Clinical Education Guided by Experts
Wherever you chose to do your clinical rotations, our 1,250 dedicated SGU faculty members at 75+ affiliated hospitals are there to guide you. These experienced mentors provide hands-on training and invaluable insights during real-world clinical experiences, preparing you for a successful residency and the launch of your medical career.
George Mammo, MD ’17Clinical professor and hospitalist, Humboldt Park Health, IL
I find my role very rewarding because I was in these students' positions not too long ago. As a young attending, I see so much of myself in many of them. I feel that it's a great way for me to give back."
Tita Castor, MD ’88Chief of palliative care, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, director of medical education,at NYCHHC/Elmhurst and Queens
As an educator and mentor, one must share not only knowledge and technical skills but emphasize the importance of learning compassion, empathy, and resilience with those who are up-and-coming in the field."
Dr. Sharad DassCritical care pulmonologist, director of medical education, O’Connor Hospital, CA
SGU emphasizes a patient-centered approach to patient care. Most of the student experiences are designed to be hands-on, including via small groups and hospital SIM lab visits to offer students the opportunity to develop and become competent of their clinical skills."
Life in Grenada
A campus built with your success in mind
Your first two years at SGU are an exciting blend of rigorous medical education and personal growth—all in an environment designed to help you flourish.
Our modern campus fosters a dynamic community where students engage in their studies while benefiting from Grenada’s vibrant culture and natural beauty.
Familiar comforts plus new things to love
At SGU, we’re always leveling up campus life with student-inspired additions like a dog park, tiki bar, and multi-faith prayer area. With cozy cafes, a stocked bookstore, and peaceful study nooks all around, you’ll feel right at home.
A community for everyone
Student-led organizations for personal and professional growth
With over 90 student organizations, SGU offers endless opportunities to connect, lead, and grow. SGU has something for everyone from clubs centered around academics, hobbies, sports, culture, volunteering, and more. Find peers with similar interests and ambitions and take on leadership roles.
Engaging events fostering growth, belonging, and fun
In addition to student-led organizations, SGU provides exciting activities and events, from cultural festivals to professional networking opportunities to technology expos. Multicultural Night Market, Research Day, Orientation Food Festival all enhance the experience of living in Grenada as you work towards your dream. With over 90 student organizations, SGU offers endless opportunities to connect, lead, and grow. SGU has something for everyone from clubs centered around academics, hobbies, sports, culture, volunteering, and more. Find peers with similar interests and ambitions and take on leadership roles.
Prioritizing your mental and physical well-being
Accessible on-campus student healthcare
University Health Services (UHS) serves the University community from its modern, campus-based facility tending to primary healthcare needs including vaccinations, routine blood tests, and off-hours urgent care.
Mental wellness resources
With a range of counseling services, wellness workshops, and peer support groups, students have the resources to maintain balance during medical school while building resilience. Activities like yoga, group fitness and stress-relief puppy days provide an opportunity to relax and recharge, helping you stay grounded during your studies.
Campus Safety
A secure learning environment
Grenada is designated by the US State Department as a travel advisory Level 1, the safest level in the scale. Even so, SGU prioritizes student safety with robust security measures that provide additional peace of mind. With 24/7 security personnel, emergency response systems, and well-lit pathways, students can navigate campus confidently. Additionally, newer campus buildings are constructed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.
Transportation
Getting around campus and beyond
SGU’s campus is designed to be easily navigable, so you will find getting around is simple. Most students walk to their classes and activities, but you can also opt to take our free shuttle service available seven days a week. The free SGU shuttle also travels outside of campus, connecting you to local groceries, markets, off-campus housing, beaches and attractions.
Food and housing on campus
Live and study in Grenada
Our main campus offers a variety of residence options for students, all on campus for maximum convenience. All Grenada campus residence halls have central air conditioning, internet access, laundry facilities and each bedroom is furnished with twin sized bed(s), chair(s), desk(s), closet space, and bookshelves. Kitchen facilities include a refrigerator, cooktop stove, and microwave.
A global array of cuisines
SGU offers a wide variety of delicious and nutritious meal options available both on campus and off-campus. Through our robust campus dining offerings, SGU offers an impressive array of dining choices and dietary accommodations, including culturally-based cuisine, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and halal.
Our alumni: A network of over 25,000 SGU MDs making an impact globally.
More than 23,000 physicians worldwide began their journey at St. George’s University. Our alumni have left their mark across all 50 US states and over 50 countries, driving innovation and delivering exceptional care. They are changing lives and shaping the future of healthcare—just like Dr. Andrea Pakula, whose work exemplifies the impact of an SGU education.
A pioneer in the field of robotic surgery
Quick Stats
Who:
Andrea Pakula, MD ’07, MPH ’03
Medical director of robotic surgery
Where:
Adventist Health Simi Valley Hospital, California
What:
Dr. Pakula performs surgeries, including emergency procedures, solely using robotic-assisted technology. In 2024, she was one of the first surgeons in the country to use the Intuitive Surgical da Vinci 5 Robotic platform—the newest and most advanced generation of surgical robots in its field—as her tool of choice.
Her journey began with the rigorous training she received at SGU, which honed her skills and ignited her passion for innovation in medicine.
The education I received at SGU allowed me to get into one of the best fellowships in the country”
Andrea Pakula, MD ’07, MPH ’03
As part of the SGU community, you will have access to our far-reaching and influential alumni network, many of whom have senior hospital roles such as chief resident or director.
Picture yourself working and networking with accomplished SGU MDs, like these:
Dr. Ewarld Marshall
Chair of the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine
Devon Thomas, MD ’20
Chief resident (urology)
University of Florida College of Medicine—Jacksonville
Iman Naimi, MD ’14
Congential interventional cardiologist
Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute & Stollery Children’s Hospital
Connect with one of our grads
As you navigate the application process, we encourage you to connect with an SGU graduate who can provide valuable insights and help you make an informed decision about your medical education.
Simply submit your contact details, and one of our alumni will reach out to share their experiences and answer your questions.
In addition, we host a variety of engaging in-person and virtual events designed for prospective students like you. Many events, such as our popular Doctors on Call webinars, feature SGU graduates who share their personal journeys and are available to address your questions.
Check out our events to find the perfect opportunity to learn more about SGU and what sets us apart!
Alumni as faculty: Teaching the next generation of med students
For example, Nader Mahmood, MD ’08. Dr. Mahmood is a pulmonologist at North Jersey Pulmonary Associates. He is also one of SGU’s clinical faculty members who teach School of Medicine students at one of our 85+ hospitals and clinical affiliates across the US, UK, and Canada.
Being an SGU alumnus and now an instructor is incredibly rewarding. I vividly remember the challenges, excitement, and determination required as a student, which helps me connect on a personal level with my students.”
His advice to students considering SGU: “SGU’s diverse environment exposes you to different cultures, perspectives, and healthcare systems. Use this experience to grow both personally and professionally. … Trust the education and training you will receive and know that your hard work will pay off.”
Nuturing your success SGU's Academic Support Programs & Services
During the third year of med school, you complete core clinical rotations in specialties like internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry. The fourth year is a year of your own design where you can participate in electives like cardiology, radiology, and orthopedic surgery.
The academic structure of St. George’s University was incredible. SGU provides amazing support, not only from the faculty and clinical counselors but also peer-to-peer mentorship. The camaraderie among students at SGU is second to none.
Njambi Mathenge, MD ’15
interventional cardiology fellow, Massachusetts General
The SGU College System
Becoming a physician is about both the knowledge you gain and the community you build. The School of Medicine College system provides a more intimate and personalized learning environment where you can thrive academically and socially.
During your time on campus, you’ll be placed into one of our nine Colleges, where you’ll build close-knit relationships with peers as you begin your medical journeys together. Each of the nine colleges are named after influential figures in medicine— Blackwell, Galen, Taylor, McIndoe, Peabody, Curie, Fleming, Metrodora, and Hippocrates.
SGU offers a variety of instructional modalities to develop your skills as a learner. While you will participate in traditional lectures, you will also spend quality time with your College in smaller groups, focusing on mastering the Basic Sciences and as well as nurturing student wellness, and personal and professional development.
Each College represents an academic family that supports the wellness of students and fosters the academic, personal, and professional development of its membership.”
Dr. Lucy Clunes
Vice President of Student Affairs
Interactive Small Group Learning
Interactive Small Group Learning involves eight students and one instructor exploring the current body system module. Sessions occur two to four times per week, lasting about two hours each. These highly interactive experiences may take place around a table with a whiteboard, in a simulation lab,
or around a dissected cadaver.
This approach fosters critical thinking, encourages open discussion, and promotes collaborative problem-solving. It enhances retention, teamwork, and communication skills—key for success in both medical practice and learning.
SGU’s Award-Winning Department of Educational Services
SGU’s Department of Educational Services (DES) is a critical component of our student and graduate success. Nearly 100 percent of the University’s students take advantage of the department’s innovative programs that teach students:
- Time-management strategies
- Note-taking and study skills
- Test-taking skills
- Efficient learning techniques
- And much more…
DES programs at SGU have been recognized by:
Medical school is completely different from anything you’ve done before. At first, you don’t know where to begin, but the support and tutoring at SGU really help you focus your attention and give you the confidence that you need to succeed.”
Andrew Persits, MD ’10
Interventional Cardiologist
Academic Enhancement Program:
The Gold Standard
SGU’s Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) provides a supportive learning community for Term 1 students to strengthen their academic foundation.
Offering personalized support through peer mentorship and faculty advising, AEP helps students build essential study skills and improve performance in coursework and exams. Many successful upper-term students credit AEP with helping them adjust to medical school.
The program recently earned the Gold award in the NAPSA Excellence Awards for Academic Advising.
Preparing You for Success Beyond SGU
Once you start your clinical training, we provide comprehensive services such as:
- Academic Counseling: Our academic advisors will help you with your clinical rotation timeline, prepare for USMLE and licensure exams, and offer counsel in specialty and residency selection, among other topics.
- Residency Preparation Support: Residency mentors through our Office of Career Guidance will provide strategic guidance through the residency application process, helping students secure desired placements.
I chose SGU because of its great support system. Through the residency application process, I was always able to get in touch with my advisor and ask them questions. SGU really wants to see you succeed.”
Jincy Thomas, MD ’18, NY
Internal Medicine Specialist
At SGU, you’re not just a student; you’re part of something greater. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare.
Bright futures begin here: Explore your path to paying for med school
At SGU, we recognize that your strengths and talents go far beyond academics.
You are community leaders, volunteers, researchers, career-changers, and much more!
We are committed to supporting our students by offering scholarships that celebrate these exceptional qualities and achievements.
The scholarship has been such a blessing. It’s given me an extra boost and confirmation that I’m on the right track.”
Tamisha Carter
Current SOM student
Our committee carefully examines each applicant profile holistically, matching your unique qualities with our scholarship offerings to curate a personalized award package. SGU gave more than $71 million in scholarships to entering MD students in the 2023-24 academic year.1 In addition to scholarships, entering SOM students may also be eligible for federal student loans.
1Data as of October 2024. The scholarship total represents assistance for the duration of students’ four-year MD program.
Our scholarships fall into four primary categories:
- Academic and Merit Scholarships reward academic achievement.
- Difference Maker Scholarships reward applicants’ positive impact on others’ lives through volunteerism, careers, service initiatives, or innovative research.
- Connections and Community Scholarships highlight the SGU community’s connections both global and personal.
- Mission-To-Serve Scholarships honor individuals serving communities in need, for example:
The CityDoctors scholarship removed a layer of financial stress and brought me one step closer to becoming a physician in the communities that helped shape me.”
Kyeiwaa Amofa-Boachie, MD ’19
Pediatrician at WHS Washington Hospital