Hrant Gevorgian, MD ’21, MPH, is no stranger to hard work. As chief resident in the emergency room at Rutgers Health – Community Medical Center, Dr. Gevorgian loves working in the ER’s fast-paced environment and being exposed to a multitude of pathologies.But there are many reasons why he loves being a doctor.
“My favorite aspect of being a doctor is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of my patients. Whether it’s providing essential medication or stabilizing a critically ill individual, knowing that I’ve positively impacted someone’s life is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
Dr. Gevorgian acknowledges that his training at St. George’s University School of Medicine prepared him well for the doctor he is today.
This summer the California native will return home to continue his medical training as an addiction medicine fellow at Loma Linda University Medical Center. While completing his fellowship, Dr. Gevorgian also plans to work as an overnight emergency medicine physician at two community emergency rooms in San Bernardino, CA.
Dr. Gevorgian shared what he has been up to since graduating med school and his advice for aspiring physicians considering SGU.
What appeals to you about emergency medicine and addiction medicine?
Dr. Gevorgian: My journey towards these fields began early on thanks to formative experiences such as shadowing at LA General and engaging in harm reduction efforts during my undergraduate years. Witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by individuals struggling with substance abuse, including barriers to treatment and pervasive stigma, led me to practice emergency and addiction medicine.
Additionally, in the fast-paced environment of the ER, I find fulfillment in the variety of pathology, procedural work, and the opportunity to provide critical care. Moreover, I recognized the ER as a pivotal setting for addressing addiction issues, as many patients with substance abuse disorders seek treatment there. My aim is to combat stigma, implement harm reduction strategies, and establish treatment protocols within emergency settings to better serve individuals battling substance abuse.
How did SGU prepare you for your career and specialty?
Dr. Gevorgian: SGU well prepared me for my specialty and career, both academically and clinically. The integrated basic sciences curriculum provided a solid foundation for my medical knowledge and helped prepare me for my board exams. Early on, SGU provided me with hands-on exposure during my (Basic Sciences) selectives and while working in the Grenada General Hospital. Additionally, by being involved in multiple student clubs and organizations, I had the opportunity to participate in health clinics where I could interact with the community.
My clinical rotations also helped me excel as a resident by exposing me to a variety of rigorous rotations and procedures. Most importantly, the SGU alumni network and social capital I gained have been invaluable throughout my medical journey by connecting me with the right mentors and guiding me in the right direction.
Do you have a recent professional accomplishment that you are especially proud of?
During residency, I was fortunate enough to be part of an awesome team that created a program to initiate Buprenorphine treatment in the emergency department for individuals experiencing opioid use disorder. My mentor, program director, and best friend, Dr. Nicole J. Maguire, is the current principal investigator who spearheaded this project. What started as a small pilot study eventually became a huge success. We won multiple local and national awards, decreased overdoses in the community, and educated the community on harm reduction. Most importantly, we have patients who now actively come to our ED to begin Buprenorphine treatment due to its positive impact on the community.
Have you received any notable awards, recognition, or honors in your field since graduating that you would like to share?
Since graduation, I have received multiple awards and nominations that wouldn’t be possible without SGU and my residency program, Rutger’s Health – Community Medical Center. As an intern, I was nominated Resident of the Year by the American College of Physicians. In my final year of residency, I was elected the inaugural chief resident of my program. Most recently, I was chosen to be part of the REACH scholar program, Recognizing and Eliminating Disparities in Addiction through Culturally Informed Healthcare, where I was granted $104,000 to develop an overdose training program to teach adolescents in low socioeconomic demographics how to respond to overdoses.
What are your ultimate career plans?
Dr. Gevorgian: My ultimate career plans involve working in community-based emergency rooms in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. In the realm of addiction medicine, I intend to develop and implement substance abuse treatment protocols within emergency departments, advocating for comprehensive care and harm reduction strategies. By returning home to California, I hope to contribute to the well-being of my community and continue fostering positive change.
Why did you choose SGU?
Dr. Gevorgian: I chose to apply to SGU for many reasons. In addition to the sciences, I had an interest in public health, specifically global health, during my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I wanted to attend a medical school that would not only prepare me to succeed academically, but also clinically, and to become a culturally competent physician.
SGU is extremely diverse and offers medical students training so that they can practice medicine in different countries and settings that focus on public and global health, if they choose to. Specifically, SGU offered me a variety of training sites, which appealed to me. I sought the opportunity to train at various hospitals during my third- and fourth-year rotations, with many sites available in my hometown of Los Angeles, CA.
Another reason I chose to study in Grenada is because I heard nothing but good things about the beautiful island itself. Looking back, I am grateful I attended SGU and wouldn’t want to study medicine anywhere else.
What advice would you offer to students who are considering SGU?
Dr. Gevorgian: The best advice I can offer anyone coming to SGU is simple: work hard but have (a lot of) fun along the way. Medicine is a lifelong commitment that requires an enormous amount of discipline, but it’s important to take care of yourself and ensure you’re happy and enjoying yourself throughout the process.
