Profiles in Success: Shalabh “Mickey” Bansal, MD, MBA, FAAP, FAMIA, CPE
Gain firsthand insights from a practicing physician who navigated the journey from international student to recognized medical leader in the U.S.
At Saba University School of Medicine (SUSOM), we are proud to deliver the comprehensive instruction, early hands-on training and dedicated support that aspiring physicians need to achieve their medical career goals.
Students from around the world enter our 4-year MD program and start their journeys to practice in the U.S. and Canada. Thanks to our diverse and welcoming student body, international students quickly feel at home, form meaningful friendships and make memories that last a lifetime.
In this profile, we are proud to share the insights and advice of Shalabh “Mickey” Bansal, MD, a SUSOM alum (Class of 2008) who currently works as Associate Chief Medical Officer at the Kennestone Regional Medical Center, which is the flagship hospital of Wellstar Health System, the largest healthcare system in Georgia, United States. He is also the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Diagnose Data, a company whose informatics solutions transform data into healing power, and runs a coaching institute for Caribbean medical students and residents.
We are so appreciative of Dr. Bansal for sharing his experiences and are confident that future medical doctors will benefit greatly from his guidance!
What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine, and as an international student, how did you first hear about Saba University School of Medicine?
“The decision to pursue medicine wasn’t a single moment for me, it crystallized over time. Growing up, I was the person in my family that people came to with health questions, and I realized early-on that I wanted to be the one with real answers.
I was actually the President of the local American Medical Student Association (AMSA) chapter at the Georgia Institute of Technology during my undergraduate studies, and met some representatives from other Caribbean medical schools. However, I first followed an unconventional medical career path in that I was a managerial and technical consultant for five years post undergrad, during which time I also completed my MBA. During my consulting years, I continued to feel the calling of medicine and decided to answer in 2004.
I recall speaking to local medical schools, such as Emory University and Mercer, and they were excited to have me apply for the following year’s class. The calling was too strong though and I decided to pursue the Caribbean route due to their rolling admissions offerings. I researched other options, but eventually decided on a smaller school known as Saba University School of Medicine after speaking to some grads and verifying licensing opportunities in the United States. It was such a wonderful decision as I loved my Saba experience!”
What ultimately led you to choose SUSOM for your medical education?
“A few things came together perfectly. The class sizes were small enough that I knew I wouldn’t be lost in a crowd, and the USMLE preparation track had a record I could verify, rather than just trust. I also looked carefully at where Saba students did their clinical rotations and where they matched for residency. Seeing graduates spread across U.S. teaching hospitals and a wide range of specialties told me the pipeline was real.
The decision also came down to fit. I wanted a program that took international students seriously as future U.S. physicians, and did not treat them like an afterthought.”
How did your experience at SUSOM prepare you for your clinical training and medical career?
“The Basic Science foundation was rigorous in a way I didn’t fully appreciate until I was on the wards. By the time I started clinical rotations in the U.S., the pathophysiology and pharmacology felt familiar, which freed me up to focus on the patient in front of me rather than scrambling for the underlying mechanism.
The other thing Saba did well was integrate USMLE preparation into the curriculum without making it feel like a separate, parallel job. When Step 1 and Step 2 came, I felt ready, not because of last-minute cramming but because the material had been reinforced consistently for multiple years.”
How has your education at SUSOM influenced your approach to patient care and your work today?
“Studying alongside classmates from so many different countries and backgrounds changed how I listen to patients. You learn pretty quickly that the way someone describes pain, or family, or fear, depends a lot on where they come from. That has stayed with me. I think I ask better questions because of it, and I’m slower to assume I understand a patient’s situation before they’ve finished explaining it.
There is also something about going through medical school away from home that builds a kind of resilience you carry through the rest of your career. Long calls, hard cases, difficult conversations – none of it feels impossible once you’ve already accomplished something this big.”
What advice would you give to other international students considering SUSOM for their medical education?
“Go in with your eyes open and your work ethic ready. Medical school is hard wherever you do it, and the Caribbean path adds a layer of independence that not everyone is prepared for. But if you’re willing to put your head down for the first two years, take the USMLE steps seriously, and treat every clinical rotation like an extended interview, this path works.
Stay close to the people around you, including classmates, faculty and alumni. The network is real, and the people who came before you want to help. Keep your end goal in front of you on the days it feels far away. It does come!”
More About SUSOM
If you would like to follow in Dr. Bansal’s footsteps towards a career as a practicing medical doctor in North America, Saba University School of Medicine can help you achieve that wonderful goal!
Founded in 1992, we have proudly delivered rigorous medical education and training for 3,500+ MD program graduates. Our alumni have gone on to practice in the U.S., Canada and internationally.
To learn more about the student experience at SUSOM and catch a glimpse of our beautiful Basic Science campus on the island of Saba, check out this testimonial video from another practicing alum:
If you have any questions, please be sure to contact us – then when you’re ready, jumpstart your journey to career success by beginning an application.
We look forward to seeing everything you will achieve as a medical student and future doctor!