Tragic incident involving my cousin inspired my desire to become doctor —Ifeatu Egwuatu, internal medicine intern at Morristown

Anambra State-born Ifeatu Egwuatu, a medical graduate of the School of Medicine, St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada, West Indies, relives his experience as a foreign student there and how he achieved his lifelong dream of residency in internal medicine at Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey, USA.

A Nigerian, Dr Ifeatu Egwuatu, who graduated from St. George’s University (SGU) in 2023, shares his inspiring journey from St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine to fulfilling his dream of securing an internal medicine residency at Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, New Jersey.

Born in Anambra State, Nigeria, Dr. Egwuatu’s passion for medicine was sparked by a tragic incident involving his cousin, who passed at a young age.

Given that, he was determined to make a difference in people’s lives as he pursued medicine but soon realized that Nigeria’s medical education system was not equipped enough to support his dreams. Studying medicine in Nigeria can sometimes be tough – an issue that has continued to spur many aspiring medical students in the country to seek alternative routes abroad. Dr. Egwuatu, who fulfilled his dream of becoming a doctor after studying at St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies, is one such shining example.

“In Nigeria, you have the passion and the drive, but numerous obstacles remain, which add an extra layer of challenge to the already challenging field of medicine”, Dr Egwuatu remarked while reflecting on the issues that made him seek other alternatives. “I was fortunate enough to find another path that allowed me to pursue my dreams.”

Choosing the right university should be paramount for young Nigerians desiring to study medicine abroad and become doctors. For most, medical schools in the United States and the United Kingdom are usually the preferred destinations. However, the possibility of Africans gaining admission into medical schools in these countries can be difficult. Dr. Egwuatu’s academic experience lends credence to this notion: The pathway to getting into medical school in either the United Kingdom or the United States can be challenging, and despite doing well on both the MCAT and UKKAT (now UCAT), I was unable to secure admission into any UK/US-based medical school. This is where the SGU came in, and in hindsight, it was an excellent decision as they provided me the opportunity to study medicine, form lifelong relationships and connections with people from various countries worldwide, and ultimately march into my first-choice programme in internal medicine.

SGU’s curriculum, modern facilities, and global reach help equip its students with a medical education that will prepare students to complete their clinical rotations and hopefully become doctors in the US or the UK. The institution has been the largest provider of doctors into first-year US residencies for the last 10 years and has over 940 US residencies in 2024.”

The most interesting aspects of Dr. Egwuatu’s journey to becoming a doctor were the rigours of academic excellence he was exposed to during his time at SGU. He had the opportunity to explore preventive medical care, diagnostics, and intense medical research. His clinical rotations in high-patient volume hospitals in New York were designed to help him develop diagnostic skills that will be increasingly beneficial in his career as a doctor.

Dr. Egwuatu’s said of his experience in St. George’s University: “SGU gave me a solid foundation during my basic sciences and USMLE Step 1 exam preparation because the style of learning and assessments during my bachelor’s was very different from the learning style in medical school, which was naturally fast-paced. As I progressed further, my clinical academic advisor supported me during my clinical years by giving me pointers on how to approach the shelf exams, Step 2 CK, and the match process.”

When it was time to match into residency, Dr. Egwuatu had all the support he needed to succeed. The SGU’s Office of Career Guidance led him through a series of virtual seminars, provided valuable tips, and offered practical advice that helped him secure his successful match into an internal medicine residency in the US. “Matching felt like beating the odds and being rewarded for staying focused on my end goal,” Dr. Egwuatu shared, reflecting on his experience.

Dr. Egwuatu’s journey to becoming a doctor will serve as an inspiration to young Nigerians aspiring to study medicine. Choosing the right medical school abroad can greatly impact one’s career trajectory. As medical education continues to evolve, international institutions like SGU will play a vital role in shaping the next generation of doctors in Africa.

READ ALSO: UNILAG female student who once begged for school fees becomes graduate