St. Martinus University Graduates Medical Students in Farmington Hills

Caribbean-based medical school holds commencement ceremony for class of 2026 at Farmington Hills Inn.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:23pm

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St. Martinus University, a medical school based in Curaçao, will graduate its class of 2026 at the Farmington Hills Inn on April 26. The program begins with two years of basic science education in Curaçao, followed by two years of clinical rotations at hospitals and sites across the U.S. where the university has affiliations. The school has seen a surge in enrollment since the COVID-19 pandemic as the U.S. faces a projected shortage of up to 100,000 physicians by 2030.

Why it matters

The graduation of St. Martinus' medical students in Farmington Hills highlights the growing demand for new physicians, especially in underserved and rural communities, as the U.S. healthcare system grapples with an aging population and physician retirements. St. Martinus offers an accelerated medical education pathway that allows students to start right after high school, providing an alternative to the traditional pre-med and MCAT route.

The details

St. Martinus University's medical program begins with two years of basic science education in Curaçao, followed by two years of clinical rotations at hospitals and sites across the U.S. where the university has formal affiliations. Students are integrated into healthcare teams and train under the direct supervision of licensed physicians. Their exit exams are then conducted by the National Board of Medical Examination.

  • St. Martinus University will graduate its class of 2026 on April 26, 2026.
  • The university was founded in 2000 and has been operating for more than two decades.

The players

St. Martinus University

A medical school based in Curaçao, a Caribbean island that is a territory of the Netherlands. The university offers an accelerated medical education program.

Murali Ginjupalli

The chancellor and owner of St. Martinus University. He purchased the school in 2022 as the previous owners were looking to retire.

Shree Vidya Umashankar

A student at St. Martinus University who praised the school's small class sizes, dedicated professors, and support during USMLE exam preparation.

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What they’re saying

“They are hardworking students. The medicine program is not an easy program. The students are evaluated by rigorous third-party exams. The students go through serious vetting. They are qualified and have the knowledge to treat a patient in a high-expectancy way.”

— Murali Ginjupalli, Chancellor and Owner, St. Martinus University

“Coming to St. Martinus was a turning point in my life. The small class sizes, dedicated professors, and support during USMLE prep gave me the confidence I needed to succeed. Clinical rotations in the U.S. gave me a real-world edge.”

— Shree Vidya Umashankar, Student, St. Martinus University

What’s next

The graduating class of 2026 from St. Martinus University will receive their medical degrees at the commencement ceremony on April 26, 2026 in Farmington Hills.

The takeaway

St. Martinus University's accelerated medical education program provides an alternative pathway for students to become physicians, helping to address the projected physician shortage in the U.S. by training new doctors who can serve in underserved and rural communities.