Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Aleksander Dusic

Saint James School of Medicine’s faculty is made up of accomplished medical professionals dedicated to scientific instruction and academic excellence. All faculty members hold an M.D., a Ph.D., or both. Saint James School of Medicine faculty offer you tutoring, mentoring, one-on-one guidance, and research support. One of their amazing faculty members is Dr. Aleksandar Dusic. We spoke with him to get a closer look at why he decided to become a teacher at Saint James School of Medicine and to see what advice he has for current and future students.   Background Dr. Dusic received his MD from the University of Belgrade. He is also ECFMG certified. He has been teaching in Saint James School of Medicine for 10 years now. In the past, Dr. Dusic has taught histology, microbiology, embryology, phycology, and CCBS, but now he teaches medical ethics and physiology. His education and extensive experience, paired with his amazing teaching abilities, allow him to coach students through classes in a way that will prepare them for their residency and beyond.   Why Teach at SJSM? Several factors went into Dr. Dusic choosing to teach at Saint James School of Medicine. First and foremost, he loves to help students learn and grow. He has a strong altruistic sense that lends itself to the teaching profession. Teaching also gives him great intellectual satisfaction. While practicing medicine is very intellectually challenging, it comes with its own set of unique challenges. Besides being intellectually challenging, teaching forces him to see medical education the way he did when he was a student and  go back to a time when he too was learning and to be more empathetic toward students’ struggles. In other words, while helping others is a main reason why he decided to teach, the experience is also helping to develop himself. Before he joined Saint James School of Medicine, Dr. Dusic was engaged in clinical practice and research. When he learned about an opportunity to teach in the Caribbean islands, he saw it as an intellectual challenge with a bit of adventure. Upon seeing the gorgeous campuses and hearing about the amazing smaller class sizes, he was immediately intrigued. He has not regretted his decision once and is really happy that he can work with young bright minds.   Why Choose SJSM? Dr. Dusic chose Saint James because it has a great reputation of providing affordable medical education and helping enthusiastic students fulfill their dream of becoming a doctor. He knew that it will be a great place to learn and teach medicine. Right from the start, he was impressed with the other faculty and students.   Advice for Students Students should not be discouraged when they find themselves in difficult situations or if they encounter roadblocks. They should not ignore their feelings of frustration, disappointment, stress, etc. The faculty, along with fellow students, are always there to help and offer sound words of advice. Be committed and continuously study hard on a systematic way to reach your goals; they are not always as far away as they seem. The most rewarding part of teaching at Saint James School of Medicine is when he hears that some of his students match with their number 1 residency programs or when they become practicing physicians in the US or Canada. It is very exciting and rewarding to see his students succeed.