TOWSON, Md. - As the Landmark Conference counts down to the start of the 2026-27 academic year, the Conference will revisit some of the best stories from its member institutions through the Landmark Rewind series.
Running August 3-14, Landmark Rewind will spotlight one Landmark institution each weekday by featuring two stories originally produced by that school's athletics department. From student-athlete features and championship moments to community impact and campus initiatives, the series gives fans another opportunity to discover the people and programs that make the Landmark Conference special before fall competition begins.
It's safe to say that Devan Sutaria made the most of his time as a student-athlete at Drew University. A Biochemistry major, he conducted cancer research throughout his four years at The Forest, completed an honors thesis, and graduated with a 3.93 GPA.
After a career-ending injury as a baseball pitcher, he found new opportunities on the tennis court and, more importantly, in service.
Following his freshman year, Sutaria founded a chapter of Global Medical Brigades, leading efforts to raise $40,000 over two years for medical missions to underserved communities in rural Panama. The two brigades delivered medical, dental, and pharmaceutical care to more than 400 patients across four communities. He recently reflected on the experience.
How did you initially arrive at the idea to start the chapter of Global Medical Brigades?
In the summer after my freshman year at Drew, I knew I wanted to start an initiative within the healthcare equity sphere that could accomplish something far bigger than any individual effort. A few weeks of research led me to Global Medical Brigades, and I set up a call to discuss opening a chapter that would lead an entirely student-run medical brigade to rural, underserved communities in Panama.
A few months earlier, I had torn my ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in my first collegiate start, requiring surgery and 14 months of recovery. While it was a tremendous obstacle, it also gave me time to pursue other opportunities, including cancer research, working in a hospital, and starting a chapter of Global Medical Brigades.
Can you talk about your first trip?
We spent the first day immersing ourselves in Panamanian culture before traveling several hours to the rural community where we hosted our brigade. Our first day there was spent interviewing families in Spanish with translators, learning about their lifestyles and the barriers they faced in accessing healthcare.
During the next three days, we rotated through intake, triage, medical, dental, health education, and pharmacy stations while working alongside local healthcare professionals to provide care for the community.
How was the experience similar or different the second time?
Returning for the second year remains the most rewarding and fulfilling experience I've ever had. Across both years, we assisted more than 400 Panamanians. Seeing firsthand how difficult it was for many families to access quality healthcare was incredibly humbling. One of the patients even made me a necklace that I still wear every day.
It would be difficult to name every volunteer who came on both brigades, but I would especially like to recognize Nadia Porchetta, Jazshua Andes, Emily Shirk, and Kiana Massey for the tremendous roles they played in helping make both trips possible.
What were the most rewarding aspects of this experience, and how do you feel that it changed you?
Over the course of each brigade, you really start to realize that you are not there for the communities, but instead with them. It brought me back to why I wanted to pursue a career in medicine in the first place, not solely to prescribe medicines and perform procedures, but to put smiles on the faces of those who need it most while doing everything we can to improve their health, longevity, and happiness. There's truly nothing like it.
Do you think you will stay involved with medical missions in the future?
Without a shadow of a doubt, I cannot wait to attend my next medical mission. I am about to start medical school at Robert Wood Johnson, and one of the opportunities they offer is two weeks at the end of the first year that students are encouraged to use for a medical mission after gaining additional education and experience. As memorable as these trips were as a volunteer, I can only imagine how fulfilling it will be to return as a medical professional.
How important was it for you to be such an active member of the campus community and beyond during your time at Drew?
From the moment I started at Drew, I knew I wanted to leave an impact extending beyond just the classroom or athletic department. I came in expecting to be a four-year baseball player, but my injury changed that path. Though the baseball door closed, it opened opportunities in tennis, student journalism, Global Medical Brigades, cancer research, and my honors thesis while allowing me to focus even more on becoming a future physician. I met great people along the journey and became a much more diverse, open-minded individual because of it.
Can you touch on your athletic experience at Drew? How were you able to balance being a student-athlete with all of the other many activities in which you participated?
My athletic journey is not something I ever could have predicted, but it's also one I wouldn't trade for anything. Tennis Coach Geoffrey Diehl allowed me to walk on, and switching from baseball, a sport I'd played all my life, to tennis, a sport I'd never played before, ended up being one of the greatest decisions of my life. I learned how to adapt in the face of adversity, push myself to improve in a completely new sport, and understand different styles of leadership and teamwork. There are lessons and friendships I'll cherish forever from both sports.
Balancing school, athletics, Global Medical Brigades, and all of my other extracurriculars was never easy, but I genuinely enjoyed everything I was involved in. My best advice to anyone is to not treat activities like items on a to-do list that simply need to be checked off. Instead, find experiences that will transform you for the better. That way, every day feels like a privilege.