For Dr. Nagaraju Sannidhanam, known simply as Dr. Nag to his patients, medicine is more than a profession; it’s a lifelong commitment. A family physician in Dartmouth, Dr. Nag has become a beloved figure in his community, well-known for his deep compassion and unwavering dedication to patient care.
“I never feel strained or overworked, because I love this job. I know many people go to work on Monday mornings dreading their day, but I always feel excited, because I get to go make a positive impact on someone’s life. I’m going to do something good for someone, and I think my patients can feel that too, maybe.” - Dr. Nagaraju Sannidhanam
Yet Dr. Nag didn’t always want to become a doctor. Growing up in India, he aspired to become an engineer but was influenced by his mother, who, despite never having received formal education, strongly believed in the importance of learning. “My mom wanted me to become a doctor. It was her dream,” he says. “And I loved my parents, so it was like ‘Okay, I’ll become a doctor.’”
He first attended medical school in India before moving to the UK, where he completed his residency and began studying cardiology. However, he found hospital medicine repetitive and impersonal. “It was the same thing all the time. I wasn’t finding it holistic,” explains Dr. Nag.
Around that time, his grandmother fell ill, and he began speaking with a family doctor in the UK. “I remember he was so passionate about medicine. It was completely inspiring to see how his work served as the frontline of healthcare, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions,” he says. “I saw how he treated his patients, how he truly listened, and I knew this was what I wanted to do.” Inspired by his experience, Dr. Nag changed paths, switching from cardiology to family medicine.
That decision turned out to be a gift for Dartmouth Medical Centre, where he has practiced family medicine since moving to Nova Scotia in 2018. With more than 3,700 patients in his care, he can recall each one by name, remembering personal details about their lives and families. “I know every one of them,” he says proudly. “Medicine isn’t just about treating symptoms; it’s about understanding people.” The impact of this people-first approach is evident - just step into his office and you’ll find the walls covered with thank you cards, drawings and heartfelt messages from those whose lives he has touched.
Among his most cherished gifts is an ink-drawn portrait of his medical school in India, given to him by a patient named Margo Wilkinson. Margo and her husband were traveling when her husband fell seriously ill. Even from afar, Dr. Nag checked in regularly. “He called me at least once a week to check on us,” Margo says. “His compassion and dedication kept me from losing my mind. He truly has a way of making you feel like you’re his only patient.” As a token of appreciation after her husband recovered, she created the ink-drawn portrait of Dr. Nag’s alma mater, an act that deeply moved him. “That painting means so much to me,” Dr. Nag says. “It’s the only proper artwork in my office, and I proudly showed it to all my classmates at our reunion in India.”
Stories of Dr. Nag’s attentiveness and care have spread throughout the community, making him somewhat of a local legend. When asked for a favourite moment in his career, he fondly recalls a young patient dressing up as him for “Dress Like Your Favourite Celebrity Day” at her elementary school. Years earlier, during a routine visit, Dr. Nag had noticed a concerning lump on the child. Though previous exams hadn’t raised alarms, he insisted on further testing. His persistence led to early detection and treatment of a serious condition, something her parents will always be grateful for. While her classmates chose to dress as celebrities or athletes, she chose Dr. Nag. “She put on a little white coat and said, ‘I’m Dr. Nag. How can I help you today?’” he says. “The principal asked the class, ‘Who here knows Dr. Nag?’ and so many hands went up, parents and kids all saying, ‘We love Dr. Nag!’ Can you believe that?” he laughs in disbelief.
Dr. Nag’s humility and kindness leave a lasting impression. As Margo describes him, he is “one of a kind - the kind of doctor every person should be so lucky to have in their corner.” It’s clear that medicine is not just a career for him, it’s the very fabric of his life. “I never practise medicine as a job. I never joined medical school to earn money,” he says. “I practice with passion and love.” His sincerity and the impact he’s had on his community leave no doubt that he means it.
Photo of Dr. Nagaraju Sannidhanam (Dr. Nag).
Photo of a card that hangs in Dr. Nag's office, given to him by a patient.
Photo of the ink-drawn portrait Margo Wilkinson gifted to Dr. Nag, showing his medical school in India.
