By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
Oluwasemilore Oluwagbenro, MD ’26, has fulfilled a childhood ambition of becoming a medical doctor after securing a residency position in family medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, United States.
Oluwagbenro, who developed an interest in medicine at the age of six, grew up in Nigeria in a family of business professionals. As a child, she would carry a toy stethoscope and pretend to examine people around her, nurturing a dream that would eventually lead her into the medical profession.
After completing her A-levels, she proceeded to Howard Community College in the United States. As an international student aspiring to pursue medical training in America, however, she faced uncertainty over how to navigate the next stage of her education.
She later discovered St. George’s University (SGU), which provided a pathway that enabled her to pursue her medical ambitions without having to complete her entire training in the United States.
“I always wanted to become a doctor in the US, but as an international student, the path felt uncertain. When I learned more about SGU, I realised it offered a clear way to stay aligned with that goal without needing to complete all my training in the US,” she said.
According to Oluwagbenro, the clarity provided by the programme gave her the confidence to move forward with her medical education.
She also credited the academic support system at SGU with helping her develop the foundation needed to succeed in medical school.
“I found strong support at SGU. There was always help available outside the lecture hall, and the structure really kept me on track when I used the resources,” she said.
She added that the combination of structure, repetition and accessible academic support played an important role in preparing her for the next stage of her career.
Beyond academics, Oluwagbenro was actively involved in the Christian Student Association and Iota Epsilon Alpha, participating in community initiatives involving children and mentoring fellow students.
“These experiences gave me a break from academic stress and allowed me to stay engaged in community service, from working with children to mentoring fellow students,” she said.
She said her involvement in community service also reminded her of the impact she could make beyond the classroom and strengthened her commitment to serving others.
Oluwagbenro has now begun a new chapter of her medical career at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, where she is undertaking residency training in family medicine.
She chose family medicine because of its focus on comprehensive healthcare and the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with patients.
“I chose family medicine because I find it most fulfilling. I value building long-term relationships with patients and providing care across a wide range of needs,” she said.
She added that she hoped to serve her community by providing consistent, accessible and holistic healthcare.
For aspiring doctors seeking to follow a similar path, Oluwagbenro advised them to make use of every available resource, remain disciplined and approach their medical education with clear intentions from the outset.
“The journey is demanding, but with consistency and focus, it can open doors to valuable clinical experience and future opportunities,” she said.
Her journey, from a six-year-old Nigerian girl playing with a toy stethoscope to a medical graduate beginning residency at one of the world’s renowned medical institutions, reflects the fulfillment of a childhood dream through determination and perseverance.
About St. George’s University School of Medicine
Founded in 1976, St. George’s University (SGU) is an international institution with students and faculty drawn from more than 150 countries.
The SGU School of Medicine offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree programme, with five-, six- and seven-year MD tracks available to students entering through different educational systems.
The university also has a network of more than 75 affiliated hospitals and health centres in the United States and the United Kingdom, providing students with opportunities to begin their medical careers through clinical training in Grenada or the UK.
