Desmond Garner PB'19
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
B.A. in Economics
From a small town in Alabama, Desmond explored varying interests as an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt, including studying Economics, Chinese and Spanish languages, studying abroad, serving as a Resident Advisor for several years, and joining the historically black Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
Following graduation, Desmond moved to Houston, where he worked as a consultant with a focus on healthcare. A work project on managing diabetes sparked his interest in medicine, as he connected this work with the experiences of family members with type 1 diabetes. A relationship with a black physician who helped him tackle weight challenges was also impactful and deepened his interest in making a career change.
During his postbac year, Desmond volunteered in the Emergency Department of Bryn Mawr Hospital and served as a co-coordinator of our Health Disparities Health Interest Programming. After the year at Bryn Mawr, Desmond moved to Houston to work with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.