Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Hanee Sadaf

Dr. Hanee Sadaf, a recent graduate of Trinity School of Medicine, is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. Born and raised in Qatar to Indian immigrant parents, she is the first woman in her family to travel abroad in pursuit of higher education—and now proudly holds the distinction of being the first doctor in her family. Driven by a deep interest in science and a desire to serve her community, Dr. Sadaf overcame significant challenges to pursue her dream of becoming a physician. She recently matched into a Family Medicine residency program at Indiana University School of Medicine. Her journey—from navigating limited educational options in Qatar to finding a supportive, global community at Trinity—reflects her resilience, dedication, and unwavering belief that the right path always finds its way to you.

Where are you from? I was born and raised in Qatar, but my parents are from India. My parents immigrated from India to Qatar in the 90s, and they’ve been here ever since. 

Where did you match? I matched this year into a Family Medicine residency program at Indiana University School of Medicine. I’m really excited to join Indiana University because it was my top choice for residency. I’ve always wanted to be part of a program with a strong reputation, but what mattered even more to me was finding a place with a compassionate and supportive team, and that’s exactly what I felt during my interview. I’m grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to start this journey.

What’s your academic background? I finished high school in Qatar, and I knew I wanted to go into medicine. I applied to universities, but it was very competitive. On top of that, there were only two medical universities in Qatar, one with 50 seats and the other a U.S. campus. Getting into either of them was very difficult for me.  After finishing high school, I joined Trinity, where I completed one year of Pre-Med before starting the M.D. program.

What brought you into medicine? I come from a very generous family and country, where I was taught the values of giving back to the community and supporting those around us. I want to carry that legacy forward, both personally and through my work. My interest in medicine began when I saw how many of my extended family members had different beliefs about healthcare. They were often hesitant to see a doctor or take medications, which led to preventable chronic health issues. That experience made me want to advocate for preventive care and encourage healthier lifestyles. As I chose sciences in high school, it quickly became clear that medicine was the right path, a career where I could combine my curiosity with my desire to help others.

What made you consider studying medicine outside of India? My goal was to be able to practice medicine in a country that would open all doors for me, and there’s no better place than the U.S. to do that. I know that if I completed my residency in the U.S. and wanted to practice in another country, they would take me in without having to retake any licensing exams. 

How did you hear about Trinity, and what made you interested? When I finished high school, I had a meeting with my class teacher on the last day. I told her I was interested in medicine, and she mentioned there was a medical university in the Caribbean called Trinity School of Medicine where her daughter was currently studying. She told me I could get into Trinity without having to complete undergrad and that I could obtain a residency in the U.S. through their MD program. I got excited about this and started doing some research about the school before attending their Pre-Med Program for a year and transitioning into their MD Program. 

“I believe that when something is truly meant for you, destiny finds a way to lead you to it. Hearing about Trinity from my teacher on the last day of school felt like destiny, leading me exactly where I needed to be."

What was the transition like moving from Qatar to St. Vincent and then to Georgia? The transition was pretty smooth. The first time I got the offer letter from the university, and I had to travel, the agency I was working with at the time told me that I was going to be with 15 other students that were traveling from India to St. Vincent. I traveled from Qatar to India and a few other countries, including France, Trinidad and Tobago, and Port of Spain, before setting foot in St. Vincent. The visa processing and immigration were pretty smooth. It was a great experience because I got to bond with new people and enjoy different cultures before getting settled on the island. 

Once in St. Vincent, the staff took us on a campus tour and got us settled into our student housing. Everything was fully furnished, including kitchenware, and there was security surveillance 24/7. My favorite part, however, was the transportation. When Indian students go to any foreign country, most of them don’t have licenses, so having transportation that can take them to the school and the markets was very helpful. 

Did you find a sense of community on campus? There was always a sense of community among the students. The best thing was that only 2 or 3 students were from St. Vincent while the rest were international that would come from the U.S., Canada, or other parts of the world. We knew that we had nobody but each other, and everybody was so willing to help one another. The professors helped students, not just academically, but with personal aspects as well. 

Did you feel supported throughout your education at Trinity? The professors were great. They are very experienced, knowledgeable, and approachable. Their doors are always open for any questions or concerns. They always want the best for you. They want everyone to study well,  work hard, get good grades, and leave the island for the next part of their medical education journey.

“If you’re ever struggling with something, you can always reach out to them and they’ll make sure you get the help you need.”

Was Trinity a good choice for you? Yes. Trinity was the best choice for me. I would recommend that any foreign student choose Trinity to study medicine. It’s difficult to go miles away from home and study, but when you know you’ll find such a great community, you know you will be able to get through it. 

What advice would you give to other international students considering Trinity? Work hard and stay committed. You’re leaving your family and friends and making sacrifices, but if you stay focused, it’ll all be worth it in the end. Also, if you’re ever struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everybody wants you to be successful. People should also remember to only focus on things they can control.

Do you have any stand-out memories, stories, or experiences regarding your time at Trinity? You make a lot of memories on the island. My favorite one was when we hiked the volcano. I went with a group of Indian students, and we hiked and saw the beautiful landscape. That was one of my core memories. Visiting Dark View Falls was great. Taking a tour of the Dr. Cyrus museum was also really cool. He had rare cases of medicine on display, and that was very interesting. The botanical gardens and the beaches were amazing. After midterms, we would also take a ferry to Bequia, which was also fun. 

If you’re interested in learning how Trinity can support your dream of becoming a doctor, we invite you to reach out to our admissions team today! Contact us here.