Women in White Coats Share their Stories

This International Women’s Day, SGU honors all the hard-working women around the world who bring so much knowledge, care, and strength to the healthcare industry

St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, is marking International Women’s Day with a unique look into the lives and careers of women in the medical field around the world.

According to FSMB physician licensure data, 2021, St. George’s University is the largest source of physicians licensed in the US—more than any other medical school in the world. With this, SGU strives to combat the shortage of primary care physicians by providing both male and female students with an international education spanning Grenada and the UK, with clinical training opportunities in the US and UK.

The institution is committed to supporting its female students reach their goal of entering a   successful medical career and prides itself on the ability to do so through global experiences. The university’s ongoing championship of women who are pursuing careers in medicine is in line with its vision of increasing access to and diversity within the field. As of October 2022, SGU’s 4-Year Medical Degree Program student body is 56 percent female, a significant statistic that reflects the growing presence of women in STEM spaces.

“It’s very heartening to see women today breaking stereotypes by choosing branches based on their interests. Women are currently occupying top decision-making positions in healthcare and medical institutes. It’s a reflection of how far we’ve come – women in medicine are a reflection of how women in society are changing,” said Dr. Deeksha Sikri, Associate Professor in the Department of Pathophysiology at St. George’s University.

Charlotte Marous, MD, a graduate of SGU’s class of 2017, agrees: “I do think that the field is changing and that it’s becoming more open to women. There’s still a dominance of men in the medical field, but my experience has been pretty good. I haven’t seen it as an impediment – I think it’s empowering to be a woman in medicine.”

Charlotte’s interest in international medicine drove her to pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor through St. George’s University, which saw her spend two years in the Caribbean before moving to Brooklyn, New York, for clinical training.  She specialized in ophthalmology and is currently completing her fellowship in oculoplastic surgery – a small field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery focused on the eye sockets, eyelids, and skull base.

Charlotte recalls the challenges she’s faced as a woman in healthcare, citing the delicate tension between having a passion for a career and a desire to start a family. “It’s a concern of mine, actually,” she said. “Especially being a woman, having children, and being a mom is important to me. I think a lot of hospitals are kind of turning the corner and becoming better about offering more resources.”

Navigating lengthy, complex studies and male-dominated medical spaces has led Charlotte to rely on mentors within the industry – those who went before her and succeeded. She emphasized the importance of finding someone to emulate, saying: “Look for someone with a work ethic, with a personality that you get along with and someone that shares similar goals. One of my closest mentors was a female ophthalmologist, and she’s been so instrumental in my whole career. She is a force. She sees a lot of patients and changes a lot of lives, and then she goes home to seven kids and a husband.”

“That’s important to me – work-life balance. Finding a mentor that was female and who was successful at work and home has been so valuable to me throughout residency and fellowship. It’s one of the best things I’ve been blessed with.”

St. George’s University continues to celebrate many other women just like Charlotte, providing them with the opportunities to pursue what interests them. This International Women’s Day, SGU honors all the hard-working women around the world who bring so much knowledge, care, and strength to the healthcare industry.