MEMBERS
DR . Who
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT LEWIS HARGETT , MD
Growing up in Valdosta , Georgia in a rural community , Physical Medicine and Rehab Physician Lewis Hargett did not think about a career in medicine . However , his parents always stressed academic excellence so his brothers and sisters would be prepared for a career . His early life consisted of family gatherings , farm work and fun times visiting his grandparents ’ farm of livestock , crops , and gardens . He focused on academics , but was also interested in farming and sports .
“ There was a baseball field , near my grandparents ’ house . My brothers , friends and I would enjoy playing or watching the games . I excelled in track , winning awards in local , regional and state meets .”
“ I was very active in high school ,” Dr . Hargett remembered . As a younger child , he had planted vegetables with his brother and helped raise livestock to place in the Georgia State Fair . “ That experience prepared me for the 4H and Future Farmers of America clubs I joined in high school .” Dr . Hargett pursued sports , participated in debate and academic teams , and became an officer in the FFA . Still , the question of ‘ What do you want to be when you grow up ?’ wasn ’ t answered easily .
“ Some of my teachers noted I excelled in academics as well ,” he said . “ My teachers started encouraging me more … asking what I wanted to do in life . Of course I was unsure , but I started thinking .” At a career day forum in 10th grade , an ophthalmologist talked to the students about jobs in health care . His presentation drew Dr . Hargett ’ s attention . “ As an honor student in high school , I had a thirst for learning and wanted to attend college . But I had to decide what field to pursue ,” he said . “ I began to consider a medical profession as a career interest .”
Dr . Hargett knew he wanted to attend a college in his home state . After visiting his brother , a biology major at Clark Atlanta University , he was impressed . The university would later offer him a four-year academic scholarship , and so he chose to follow in his brother ’ s footsteps .
“ Early in college , my biology professor / academic counselor wanted to discuss my academic performance . Since I was doing well in his class , he asked me what I wanted to major in ,” Dr . Hargett recalled . “ The professor said , ‘ It looks like this class is too easy for you … have you thought about being a doctor ?’ I told him I ’ d thought about it but hadn ’ t decided on a major yet . He told me I needed to focus and make a decision on a science major . So , I made up my mind . From that point on …. I wanted to be a doctor .”
Just as in the track meets , once he set his sights on medicine , Dr . Hargett was moving fast towards his finish line . He majored in biology with a minor in chemistry , and each summer he participated in a science internship program . He attended summer programs at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta and the National Institute of Health in Bethesda , Maryland . Then , between junior and senior years , he was invited to a summer program at Harvard University in Boston , Massachusetts .
“ That was a great opportunity ,” said Dr . Hargett . “ The people were just like me , from all over the country , they were also interested in becoming physicians . I made connections , and some of those participants are still my friends today .”
Dr . Hargett was graduated Magna Cum Laude from Clark Atlanta University , then entered Meharry Medical College in Nashville , Tennessee . While at Meharry , a representative from the University of Louisville visited the medical school seeking potential residents for the internal medicine program . Dr . Hargett saw his next pathway begin to open .
“ After graduation , I was on the road to reaching my goal ,” he ( continued on page 30 )
Editor ’ s Note : Welcome to Louisville Medicine ’ s member spotlight section , Dr . Who ? In the interest of simply getting to know each other as a society of colleagues , we ’ ll be highlighting random GLMS physicians on a regular basis . If you would like to recommend any GLMS physician member to the Editorial Board for this section , please e-mail aaron . burch @ glms . org or call him at 736-6338 .
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