This summer, Dr. Gian Grant-McGarvey ’14 (CAHNR) completed her residency training at UConn Health and is now practicing family medicine in Windsor.
“It’s surreal that I am done with my residency training,” says Grant-McGarvey.
“I am UConn through and through – and bleed blue,” she proudly says.
Grant first entered the world of academic medicine at UConn Health as a high school student enrolling in the Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP) led by Dr. Marja Hurley, founder and director of the longstanding pipeline program.
“It all started in my junior year of high school when I saw an HCOP flyer in my guidance counselor’s office,” she says. “I decided to apply. It really has all worked out!”
“Dr. Hurley breaks down a lot of doors and barriers for us students,” says Grant-McGarvey who, after successfully completing the HCOP program, attended the University of Connecticut as an undergraduate studying pathobiology. Then after a post baccalaureate year at UConn, it was off to UConn School of Medicine to become a doctor.
“It was truly great at UConn. I was part of the honors program, but a community service trip to Costa Rica solidified my choice to become a physician after experiencing one to one help of people in need,” says Grant-McGarvey.
She was born in Brown’s Town, Jamaica and came to the Greater Hartford Area at age 5. “I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a doctor,” says Grant-McGarvey, whose loss of her father as a young girl left a mark on her life path.
“My Dad passed away because of lack of health care access where we lived,” she recounts. “This is why I want to help the underserved. I want to help people find care and resources they need. His experience I take to work with me every single day and everywhere I go.”
Grant-McGarvey adds, “My Mom had to start all over with me and my brother. Thanks to her, I am now a first-generation college graduate and a doctor.”
Grant-McGarvey credits HCOP for her successful medical career, too.
“It is awesome to see individuals who look like me grow up to be dentists and doctors at UConn Health. They have made my dream a reality.”
She adds: “I am so grateful. HCOP is one of the best programs. Every opportunity I have, I talk about HCOP. Please look it up! They are helping alleviate obstacles for kids of all backgrounds who want to become doctors. I have been guided to do well, climb the ladder, and remember to reach back to help others.”
Medical school and residency are a big challenge, says Grant-McGarvey, who is grateful for all her mentors, especially Dr. Kenia Mansilla-Rivera, her family medicine residency program director.
“Family medicine aligned with me as a person, especially its focus on community care and community outreach,” says Grant-McGarvey.
A formative experience for Grant was serving as Chief Resident for Family Medicine: “I could not duplicate that opportunity to be a leader. It really rounded me. It solidified in me that I can do this – and I did.”
Grant-McGarvey believes family medicine is a vitally important career. “We treat the family. From Mom, to delivering her baby, to caring for the baby and the whole family. Remember, there is a whole family behind each and every patient. We treat the family too!”
She loves family medicine, as providers focus on the social aspects of patient care, like lifestyle changes and the importance of a healthy diet. To that end, she participated in UConn Health’s new Lifestyle Medicine Track during her residency training. “Family medicine experts share tools and tips that help improve our patients’ health. It’s all about holistic treatment. I love teaching my patients. Health education is the most important component of who we are as family medicine physicians.”
During her time at UConn School of Medicine, Grant-McGarvey was also proud to have helped the medical school develop its anti-racism curriculum. She says her greatest moment was volunteering at the West Indian Parade with the medical school.
“I am so grateful for UConn and its community outreach,” she says. “I have done a lot while at UConn. It’s now time for me to give back and mentor others. As I move forward as a Family Medicine doctor, I am blending my UConn training with the representing of my West Indian community.”
Grant-McGarvey concludes, “I am raised here in Connecticut. UConn is a big entity in the state. To be a part of UConn and also bring community together and even closer – makes me very UConn proud! I am a UConn physician through and through.”
