June 27, 2023
By Lisa Ryan

Nathalie Saget May, MD, (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, by her maternal grandmother. She completed her medical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, remaining there for her internship and residency in internal medicine.

Dr. May serves as the medical director of the internal medicine practice at Drexel University College of Medicine. Dr. May prides herself on delivering excellent care to her patients at Drexel Internal Medicine while practicing preventive, evidenced-based medicine. Although she has lost her accent, Dr. May remains fluent in French and English. She can converse in Spanish and Creole.

Can you tell me a little bit about your life before medical school?

I grew up in Port Au Prince, Haiti. I was raised by my maternal grandmother while my parents completed medical residency here in the U.S. My mom practiced pediatrics and my father was an OBGYN doctor. My life in Haiti was quite simple. I attended a Catholic school taught by extremely strict nuns. In Haiti, one does not write their homework on paper or in a book to turn in. We were expected to memorize the answers and recite them when called upon. I went to school, came home, played with my siblings and cousins who were also being raised by my grandmother, memorized the lessons for the next day, and went to bed. We did not have a TV, radio or any electronics. We did not have a phone, let alone cell phones. Life was simple. We played outside until it was dark, then we went to bed.

When I came to the U.S. in the ‘80s, I did not speak English. To continue my studies, I had to enroll in a school where I could learn English as a second language. I attended the United Nations International School in New York City. In the U.S., I was introduced to the many distractions we all enjoy today, but my mother was strict; we were not allowed to watch TV unless it was Jeopardy.

What made you decide to go to medical school?

I came to the U.S. in 1981 when my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Haiti, being the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, was ill-equipped to treat any type of cancer. My grandmother sought treatment in the U.S., but her cancer was quite advanced by the time of diagnosis, and she succumbed to her malignancy within 2 years. I remember her cries begging her deceased mom to come relieve her of the excruciating pain from her bone metastases. I remember well how the medications paralyzed her emotionally and physically. I was 12 years old. It was heart wrenching to see the woman who raised me lose her mobility and experience so much pain. On my 12th birthday, two months before she passed away in my homeland, I promised my grandmother that although I was too young to help her, I would try really hard to help others.

I attended Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. I completed my residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania before starting my career in primary eare - internal medicine. I chose this field because I knew it would allow me to build relationships with my patients; I help them to navigate their health and well-being, and any illness that befalls them.

What do you like about working at Drexel?

After completing my residency at Penn, I was offered many employment opportunities, but chose Drexel because I knew I would like the family atmosphere here. I also knew I wanted to teach and have a panel of patients in an outpatient clinical practice. Drexel gave me the flexibility I needed as a young mom to teach, practice and be a wife and parent. It was the best opportunity for me, and 23 years later, I have remained at Drexel. I have amazing colleagues, an awesome patient base that has grown with me, and I continue to instruct students who are eager to learn and grow as young physicians.

What is your communication style with patients? What can patients expect from an appointment with you?

I believe in teamwork. My job is to inform and guide, but I cannot be with my patients 24/7, so I do expect that my patients will also do their part to eat healthy, exercise, take their medications, do their preventative procedures like their mammogram, PAP smear, colonoscopy, DEXA scan etc. I am kind but direct. I will always let you know what I think is wrong and how I think we can tackle any disease process we uncover. I am by my patients' sides when they must endure the worst diagnoses. I get to know their support systems so that we can work as a team to help them stay healthy and overcome obstacles.

At an appointment with me, patients can expect that we will get to know each other well very quickly. We will work together to achieve shared goals. Patients will get prompt responses to their calls or messages, and they will know their lab results within 24 hours of those being drawn. They will see that the providers and staff make an effective team, and that we welcome them into our internal medicine family. Our goal is for every patient to appreciate that we know who they are, and we care about their well-being!

You speak English and French fluently and Creole and Spanish conversationally. How does speaking multiple languages, and having the experience of learning English as an additional language, help you better care for patients who speak multiple languages or who are learning English?

Some patients for whom English is not a primary language are better able to express their symptoms in their native language using idioms that are not translatable in English. It is an honor to be able to converse with native Spanish, Creole, or French speakers in the languages they are most comfortable with. It also allows my patients to feel connected to me, especially when they are hurting or concerned about a symptom that they are unable to explain.

Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time?

I love walking with my mini poodle who is now 9. I enjoy watching sports and HGTV, watching Hallmark movies, and reading books. Mostly, I enjoy spending time with my two sons, who are now in college, and my husband whom I have known for 30 years.