The journey to set down roots on PEI has been one of adventure, gratitude and a lot of back-and-forth travel for Dr. Sajjad Pathan.
Originally from Mumbai, Dr. Pathan trained in medicine at North Maharashtra University and went on to build his career in Emergency Medicine in the United Kingdom, most recently working as an Emergency Medicine Consultant. He first joined PEI as a locum, working from April through December 2025, before becoming a full-time member of the Island's medical community in January 2026.
Now, after months of travelling between PEI and the UK while his family remained there, the next chapter is finally taking shape. With his family's permanent residency approved, Dr. Pathan is looking forward to having his wife and three children join him and officially making PEI home.
The move has meant leaving behind a life that was well established in the UK, and Dr. Pathan says moving his family and adapting to the Island's climate were among the hardest parts of the decision. But what drew him here was the people.
“Humility in the workplace, kind-hearted people, and a close-knit community were the top three factors that made PEI stand out,” he said. “I was looking for a place where I could contribute but also become part of the community. I have found that spirit here, and I’m very grateful for it."
Those qualities fit well with how Dr. Pathan describes himself: passionate about caring for others, adventurous and full of gratitude. His personal philosophy is summed up in the words he includes in his email signature: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
In his Emergency Medicine practice, Dr. Pathan has a particular interest in point-of-care ultrasound, ultrasound-guided procedures, medical education and quality improvement. He hopes to help introduce and expand ultrasound-guided training across the Island and eventually become involved in medical education through Memorial University's regional campus at UPEI and the evolving teaching opportunities on the Island.
Dr. Sajjid Pathan (right) with his daughters Hiba (17), Rida (19) and wife, Nasreen. Missing from the photo is his son, Saahil (16).
Teaching is already a significant part of Dr. Pathan's life outside the Emergency Department. He runs a YouTube channel dedicated to Emergency Medicine education, where he shares structured teaching based on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine curriculum. The channel has more than 8,000 subscribers and more than 300,000 views, reaching Emergency Medicine trainees, international medical graduates, medical students and doctors preparing for the UK's MRCEM and FRCEM examinations.
His videos focus on the things he believes matter most in Emergency Medicine: understanding the “why” behind clinical decisions, building strong foundations in the basic sciences and applying that knowledge to real-world patient care.
“I have always enjoyed teaching,” he said. “Medicine is something we learn from our teachers and colleagues, and I think it is important to pass that knowledge along. If something I teach helps another doctor provide better care to a patient, that is very rewarding.”
That passion for teaching is something he hopes to bring to PEI, along with his interest in ultrasound and quality improvement. In the long term, he would like to connect with colleagues who share those interests and contribute to the Island's medical education community.
Dr. Pathan also hopes to combine his passion for painting with his desire to support Island healthcare. He dreams of holding painting exhibitions and using them as an opportunity to raise funds for local hospitals.
For now, one of the biggest milestones is a much more personal one… having his family finally join him on the Island.
Dr. Pathan has known his high-school sweetheart, Nasreen, for 33 years and been married to her for 20. He describes her as exceptionally supportive and caring. Together they have three children: daughters Rida, 19, and Hiba, 17, and son Saahil, 16. Rida has been accepted into UPEI's pre-med program and will begin in September, following in her father's footsteps. She hopes to eventually pursue family medicine and practise on the Island, perhaps alongside her dad.
As the Pathan family settles into their new home, Dr. Pathan says he’s looking forward to meeting more colleagues and finding opportunities to contribute to the medical community on PEI. His goal is to provide “the right care at the right place and right time,” and to be remembered not simply for the work he did, but for the contribution he made to his patients, their families and the Island community.
And now that he is becoming an Islander himself, Dr. Pathan has a few questions for his new neighbours and colleagues: What is the biggest change they'd like to see in PEI healthcare? Where can he find the best lobster and steak? And what is one Island destination visitors shouldn't miss that isn't in the guidebooks?
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Pathan and his family as they begin making PEI home.