“Every nurse was drawn to nursing because of a desire to care, to serve, or to help.”

Introduction

Everyone is carrying an unheard, unseen, and unshared story within them. Some stories are told in history books, while others happen silently in the course of daily life. The narrative of Dr. Suraj Jagdeo is one of the latter: not one of dramatic fame or money, but one of hard work, dedication, and quiet success. It’s about a man who chose to serve others, not because it was easy, but because it was what they needed most.

To really understand who Dr. Suraj is now—a qualified nurse, a caregiver, and a student of life—we need to start from the beginning, when he was just a kid. On November 19, 1993, Dr. Suraj Jagdeo was born at the New Amsterdam Hospital in Guyana. In many ways, his birth was normal, but his life would soon show that it had a special purpose. He lived with his sister and parents, Mrs. Sirimattie Dhari and Mr. Komalnauth Jagdeo, in a nuclear household. Their house wasn’t fancy, but it was comfortable. It was a place where values were taught and where Suraj learned to be responsible and caring.

During Dr. Suraj’s early years, his father, Mr. Komalnauth, was a guiding force. But due to his father’s untimely demise, fate handed the family a severe blow. He left behind memories and a void that would mold Dr. Suraj’s strength and courage. His mother stood up with strength and determination after this great personal loss. She was a calm, dignified woman who ran a grocery store and worked hard to keep her family going. Young Dr. Suraj saw his mother manage the obligations of being a mother and running a business, which taught him how to be strong. He observed how she treated clients with respect, how she kept track of every penny, and how she never let hard times take away her dignity. He learnt from her that being strong doesn’t mean never having to fight; it means being able to get up despite it.

Dr. Suraj’s childhood was full of the rhythms of school, family, and the basic delights of growing up in Guyana. He started his studies at Edinburgh Primary School, where it was clear that he was naturally curious. Teachers often saw how much he wanted to study, not simply to achieve outstanding grades but because he really wanted to know more. The Jagdeo family didn’t take education lightly; they saw it as the way to improve their lives and provide them more chances.

Dr. Suraj went from Edinburgh to Tutorial Academy Secondary School, where he spent the years 2005 to 2010 establishing both his academic identity and his sense of discipline. Dr. Suraj worked diligently at Tutorial Academy and eventually took the CSEC tests, passing seven topics in 2010. In 2021, more than ten years later, he added two additional subjects because he wanted to keep learning. This one action shows a significant part of his personality: Dr. Suraj doesn’t think that education ends with a diploma. For Suraj, education is a lifelong quest that evolves with time and changing needs.

His successes in high school created doors for him, but they also put him at a crossroads. Dr. Suraj, like many young people, had to ask himself, “What now?” The solution didn’t come right away. He looked into several career options and got experience in marketing and customer service. These jobs taught him a lot about how to talk to people, be patient, and operate as a team. But deep down, Dr. Suraj knew that they were just stepping stones on the way to his end destination.

 

“The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.”

Phase 1: The Childhood Journey : Full of Hardships And Lessons

Childhood is the most fragile stage in a person’s life, when they learn lessons, absorb values, and start to create their character. Dr. Suraj Jagdeo’s formative years were characterized not by opulence or luxury, but by simplicity, resilience, and the warmth of a close-knit family. His childhood was a tapestry made up of love, discipline, and the hardships that come with life—threads that subsequently led him to a life of service and purpose.

Dr. Suraj grew up with his sister in a nuclear family, which made it easy for them to form close friendships with one another. There weren’t many comforts in the house, but there was a lot of love. Having both parents around in those early years made him feel safe and helped him find his way. His father, even though he was only in Dr. Suraj’s life for a short time, left behind more than just memories. He left behind a legacy of love, wisdom, and direction. His death would later serve as a powerful reminder of how fragile life is, giving Dr. Suraj a quiet strength that helped him get through tough times.

Mrs. Sirimattie Dhari, his mother, became the family’s source of strength. She was a strong lady who had her own grocery store, which required long hours and a lot of dedication. It wasn’t simple to run the store; she had to get up early, keep track of her money, and always be aware of what her customers needed. But she managed to do it all while parenting her kids with love and discipline. Dr. Suraj thought it was like going to school to see his mother handle all of these tasks. He taught that being resourceful is important for survival, that independence gives you dignity, and that true perseverance means facing each day with courage, no matter what.

Dr. Suraj had both good and bad experiences growing up in this environment. The family occasionally had to manage with reduced financial resources, but they consistently possessed love. He spent evenings listening to his mother tell stories about how strong she was, mornings walking to school with purpose, and quiet times with his sister to think. These regular encounters, while they may appear normal, were the basis for amazing teachings about kindness, responsibility, and having a strong character.

Dr. Suraj’s formal education started at Edinburgh Primary School. This is where his curiosity grew, and his will to learn made him distinct. Teachers quickly realized that Dr. Suraj was more than just a student who memorized teachings. He was a thinker who wanted to know why everything was the way it was. Dr. Suraj was genuinely interested in learning, whether it was solving math problems, reading books out loud, or taking part in class discussions.

“Caring is the essence of nursing.”

Phase 2: Healing is Profession, Nursing is Attempt to Revive Healing!

Every once in a while, the world gives us individuals whose work speaks louder than their words, whose lives inspire not because they are grand in wealth or fame, but because they embody something far more enduring: the spirit of service. Dr. Suraj Jagdeo is one such individual. His story is not about the pursuit of riches or prestige; it is about following a calling, embracing compassion, and finding satisfaction in the act of healing others.

Unlike those who dream of wearing a nurse’s uniform from childhood, Dr. Suraj did not initially envision himself in this profession. His early years were marked by exploration—testing opportunities in education, customer service, marketing, and social work. Nursing was not the obvious path. But sometimes, the heart has a way of guiding a person quietly, preparing them for their true purpose.

For Dr. Suraj, the realization came later in life. He decided to pursue nursing not because it promised material wealth. In fact, as he often reflects, “It doesn’t pay well in my country.” Instead, he chose it because of what it gave back to the soul: the satisfaction of knowing that one’s work directly touches human lives. He describes nursing as “the kind of job that makes you feel satisfied at the end of the day, knowing you did your best.”

The transition was not sudden in reality, though it may have felt that way. His earlier experiences in social work, patient care, and home nursing had already trained his heart to listen and his hands to serve. Nursing simply became the vessel through which his compassion found its truest expression.

For Dr. Suraj, the greatest reward of nursing lies not in a paycheck, but in the gratitude of patients. He recalls moments when patients, once frail and weak, return to say, “Thank you, you were so kind, you were so great. I enjoyed my experience at the hospital.” These simple words carry immense power. They are affirmations that his presence, patience, and care made a difference.

Such gratitude is more than fleeting appreciation—it is a reflection of trust. When people are at their most vulnerable, entrusting their lives into the hands of medical professionals, kindness becomes as important as skill. Dr. Suraj understands this deeply. His satisfaction comes not only from treating physical ailments but also from restoring dignity, comfort, and hope.

“Knowledge is love and light and vision.”

Phase 3 : Knowledge, Compassion, and the Journey Toward Excellence

Dr. Suraj Jagdeo’s journey isn’t random; it’s a life sculpted by tenacity, passion, and an unshakeable faith in the power of service. His story is about a young guy who found his purpose in helping others and then dedicated himself to being not only a nurse but also a champion for the principles that make nursing noble: compassion, professionalism, and empathy.

Being a nurse doesn’t allow for being lazy. The hours are long, the demands are high, and the responsibilities are huge. For Dr. Suraj, this reality was made even more complex by his commitment to higher education. He said honestly when asked about his problems, “The shift system wasn’t working out because I have to go to school, and then I have to study. I am now studying psychology.”

This little sentence sums up all the evenings spent balancing schoolwork and taking care of patients. Dr. Suraj insisted on both paths, even though many people could have chosen one over the other. Psychology taught him more about how people think and feel, while nursing taught him how to help people. He knew that patients were more than just bodies that needed medical treatment; they were also souls and minds that needed empathy and understanding.

Dr. Suraj had a hard schedule that few people would try: he worked as a dialysis nurse in the mornings and studied in the afternoons and at night. It wasn’t simple; it cost restless nights, missing free time, and continual mental stress. But he thought there was no other choice. Education was not a choice; it was necessary.

Dr. Suraj has learned a lot of things. He signed up for an associate degree in psychology at the American University of Peace, which has taken him four years of hard work. He is also doing his bachelor’s degree in public health at Texel University at the same time.

He believes in life-long learning. Thus, he suggests a solution which is both simple and deep: “I think we need to know more. You know that knowledge is power, right? That’s the first thing. The sky is the limit. There isn’t a lot of learning.”

Note of Thanks

As we read the life narrative of Dr. Suraj Jagdeo, we need to take a moment to thank all the people, families, institutions, and communities who helped him become the man he is today and the values he still holds dear. A biography is not solely the narrative of an individual; it embodies the cumulative account of relationships, influences, and shared experiences that foster and uphold a life committed to service. We celebrate not only Dr. Jagdeo’s journey but also the quiet hands and strong hearts that walked with him by recognizing these.

Dr. Suraj’s family was the most important thing in his life from the start. His late father taught him the first lessons in honesty and self-control, and his calm power still echoes in his memories. His mother, a strong woman, was his best teacher and inspiration. She didn’t give up when things became tough; instead, she turned problems into chances and led her kids with love, faith, and unbreakable will. Dr. Suraj owes not just his life to her, but also his strong sense of right and wrong. The sacrifices she made, which the world frequently doesn’t see, are what his whole path has been built on. No words of thanks could ever come close to how grateful he is for her unwavering support.

His sister, along with his mother, was very important in bringing the family together. Her support, her peaceful presence, and her constancy through the ups and downs of life provided him strength and stability. Dr. Suraj sincerely thanks her and her family for being a source of comfort and belonging during both happy and sad moments.

This statement of thanks should also include the teachers he had as a child and teenager. Dr. Suraj learned more than simply studies in New Amsterdam’s classrooms; he also learned qualities like discipline, curiosity, and responsibility. These mentors did more than teach; they believed in him even when he didn’t have a lot of resources, and their words of encouragement kept him going. Suraj is very thankful to every teacher, principal, and mentor who took the time and effort to help him. He wouldn’t have been able to become a nurse without the schools that taught him, gave him chances, and guided him.

He is very grateful to the nursing schools, the senior nurses who showed him kindness, and the coworkers who worked with him through long shifts. Nursing isn’t just a job; it’s a calling that requires people to work together. Every coworker, doctor, and other healthcare worker helped patients recover and also helped him grow as a person and as a professional. He is especially thankful for the senior nurses who demonstrated professionalism, sensitivity, and patience. They taught not only medical procedures but also how to care for people in ways that make them feel safe when medicine alone is not enough.

Thank You
Dr. Suraj Jagdeo