Student Spotlight: Taniya Uruthirakumar

Taniya is a Term 5 medical student at Trinity, originally from Canada with Sri Lankan roots. She developed a passion for medicine through personal experiences with her family and a desire to help others navigate healthcare. Drawn to Trinity by her brother’s positive experiences, Taniya has embraced the school’s supportive environment, excelled academically, and taken on leadership opportunities. As she prepares for Step 1 and her upcoming clinical rotations, she continues to grow both personally and professionally, excited for what lies ahead in her medical journey.

Where are you from, and what’s your academic background? My parents are originally from Sri Lanka, but I was born and raised in Canada. I completed a Bachelor’s in the Health Sciences with an honours in Biology at the University of Western Ontario. 

What brought you into medicine? I would say it was definitely my dad. Because he didn’t speak much English, I often accompanied him to his doctor’s appointments and witnessed firsthand how difficult it was for him to understand everything—from medications to treatment plans. Seeing this struggle initially drew me to medicine, as I wanted to help bridge language barriers, especially in a country as diverse as Canada.

The second reason was my grandfather, who was terminally ill with lung cancer. Being so young, I didn’t get to spend as much time with him as I would have liked, and when the doctors gave me a moment alone with him to say goodbye, it meant a great deal to me. My dad sparked my interest in medicine, and my grandpa was what truly solidified it. 

Why did you choose Trinity, and what ultimately helped you make the decision? During my undergraduate studies, I often heard students talk about various Caribbean medical schools, but it wasn’t until my older brother, Roshan Uruthirakumar, attended Trinity that I truly learned about the school. When he began medical school there, I was in my first year of undergrad, and because it was during the COVID period, I didn’t have the opportunity to visit him. Nonetheless, he frequently shared stories about his experiences at Trinity, which left a strong impression on me.

When it came time to choose a medical school, I took a closer look at my brother’s journey at Trinity. Although I applied to Canadian medical schools, I was not accepted, which led me to decide between taking a gap year to reapply or pursuing medical school immediately after completing my undergraduate degree. My brother’s positive experience in the Caribbean, along with his success in passing Step 1 on his first attempt, ultimately drew me to Trinity. I could clearly see the strong academic and personal support he received from the institution, as well as the leadership opportunities available to students. Additionally, I connected with an admissions advisor who provided further insight into the program, which solidified my interest and ultimately led me to choose Trinity.       

How well do you think Trinity is preparing you for the Match? So far, my experience has been very positive, especially as part of the first cohort to implement the new spiral curriculum. I believe the spiral curriculum is very well designed. Even on the NBMEs I’ve completed, I’ve had no difficulty passing. In terms of Step 1 preparation, the repetition-based structure has been extremely effective.

The system-based approach to learning works particularly well; you begin by learning normal anatomy and physiology in the first two terms, then revisit those same systems with abnormal pathology in the following terms. This reinforcement has strengthened my understanding and retention of the material. After comparing this structure with the previous curriculum, my brother Roshan also agreed that the spiral curriculum is a stronger approach.

Overall, the spiral curriculum has made me feel confident and well prepared to pass Step 1.   

What specialty are you hoping to match into? At the moment, I’m leaning toward pediatrics, primarily because it’s the specialty I’ve had the most exposure to, having worked at a pediatric clinic throughout all four years of my undergraduate studies. That said, this may change once I begin my clinical rotations and gain experience in other specialties.   

What was the transition like from where you moved from to living on the island and studying abroad? Being from Canada, the island is a whole different vibe, but it really only took me a month to get adjusted to the different lifestyle. In terms of the school and workload, everything was fine. 

Are you active in any organizations? While on the island, I served as Treasurer and later President of the Canadian Medical Student Association (CMSA). I also participated in the Teddy Bear Clinic in collaboration with the Rotary Club of St. Vincent, where we educated children and community members about healthcare by taking “vitals” on their teddy bears, helping make white coats and medical settings more approachable. 

What has been your favorite experience so far at Trinity? My favorite experience at Trinity so far has been meeting and becoming really close with a St. Vincent resident, Ms. Jennifer McKie, who worked as a caterer at Trinity during lunch. We built a bond that truly feels like a mother–daughter relationship. She showed me the beautiful island of St. Vincent and made me feel at home away from home. One of my favorite memories with her was driving to Sandals Resort and watching the sunset together at the beach—it’s a moment I’ll always cherish.

Are you excited for Term 5? I’m very excited for Term 5 and the opportunity to go to Georgia. I’m also looking forward to reuniting with Callie Nesbitt, a close friend I made while on the island. We’ve become a duo navigating medical school together, and I’m excited to study for Step 1 alongside her while also exploring Georgia. Having a friend go through medical school with you makes the journey both more enjoyable and more manageable.

Have you felt supported throughout your education at Trinity? Absolutely. Having Roshan as a strong support system, especially since he has already gone through this process, has been invaluable in helping me navigate medical school. My family has also been incredibly supportive, even traveling with me to get to know the island.

The faculty at Trinity has been exceptionally kind and encouraging, particularly Dr. Devendra, who has consistently motivated me to keep pushing forward. Those small, meaningful interactions have made a significant impact. During my undergraduate studies, I rarely had opportunities to interact with leadership, but at Trinity, the environment feels much more personal; everyone knows you by name, and I truly believe that level of connection makes a difference.      

Was Trinity a good choice for you? Definitely. I truly believe Trinity was the right choice for me. The academic support I’ve received has been exceptional. While I understand that everyone’s journey is different, I see friends who are still reapplying to Canadian medical schools, whereas I’m already completing my second year of medical school. That contrast speaks volumes about how well Trinity prepares its students and empowers them to pursue their goals. I’m certainly not the same student I was during undergrad. My time on the island has helped me grow and mature both academically and personally.

What is the best advice you could share with a prospective Trinity student? I would say to drown out the noise. Everyone enters medical school with a different purpose, journey, and perspective. When I decided to attend Trinity, I was very aware of the stigma surrounding Caribbean medical schools and the negative narratives people often share about them. When I encountered my first setback, it was intimidating, but I remembered what my brother had told me: “You’re there for a purpose—focus on that purpose.”

I took that advice to heart. Whenever negativity surfaced, I reminded myself that I am my own person and capable of succeeding. Staying focused allowed me to move forward, and now I’m here—having passed my exams on the island and preparing for Step 1. 

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.