Arvin Garg, MD, MPH | MED ‘99

Class Year: 1999

Specialties: Pediatrics

Current practice: Boston Medical Center

Do you remember what motivated you to make your first gift to BUSM? Being back on faculty at BUSM and BMC made me reflect on my journey, and how grateful I am to BUSM, despite the ups and downs of being a medical student. Seeing the direct impact of Alumni gifts on enhancing current BUSM students (via scholarships, medical equipment, books, breakfast before exams, medical student residence, etc.) is powerful and made me (finally) contribute to BUSM.

Why do you continue to give to BUSM? Over the past two decades since I graduated, BUSM, like me, has grown, matured, and evolved for the better. Walking the same halls, attending events and lectures in Bakst and Heibert, and seeing faculty who taught me still teach students with the same enthusiasm that they taught me is a reminder of the past but also of BUSM’s bright future. BUSM’s fundamental tenets of social justice and health equity continue to resonate with me and makes its easy to support BUSM.

What would you tell current students about the importance of giving back to BUSM? No matter what you do or where you work, BUSM will always be a part of you and how you see and interact with patients and the larger world. It is good to reflect back on your journey and honor your teachers and mentors who helped you along the way. A small donation does this but more importantly, it pays it forward to the next generation of BUSM trained physicians.

Fond memory of BUSM: Being with Dean McCahan on a home visit and chatting with him as he drove me around Boston on a hot summer day. Hanging out at Chequers and on the front lawn with my friends. Graduating from medical school and remembering how proud and happy my parents were.

Favorite professor or course at BUSM: Dr. Walsh teaching me pharmacology and Dr. Vaughn teaching histology. Seeing them both on campus still and being on the same school committees over the past few years is mind-blowing to me, and reminds me of how grateful I am for some of the amazing teachers I had at BUSM.

Other anecdotes/comments: I am grateful that BUSM allowed me to fulfill my dream of becoming a physician. I feel lucky to be able to do what I do at my alma mater. Thank you!