Influenced by exceptional teachers at a young age, Dr. Holt Garner developed a passion for learning and service. His initial pull toward business shifted to medicine after working as a volunteer accountant and learning of work being done at partner Parkland Health. Now his sights are set on becoming an Ob/Gyn, with possible additional training in maternal-fetal medicine.

Holt Garner, M.D.

What this award means: I’m inspired by the example of Dr. Ahmed and honored that her legacy of care and service will guide me through the transition of becoming an obstetrician/gynecologist.

Mentor comment: Holt’s passion for women’s health was evident in his first year and continued throughout medical school. He has demonstrated a devotion to the school, the community, and to women’s health. I have personally witnessed his clinical care, and patients have pulled me aside to comment on his compassion, knowledge, and professionalism. – Catherine Spong, M.D., Chair and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology 

Background and family: I grew up in Decatur, Texas. My parents worked in my public school system. My father is a retired basketball coach and math teacher, while my mother works in the administration office. My older sister, Kelsey, is a teacher. They taught me to strive for excellence and the values of compassion, honesty, and service.

What led to your career path: I was surrounded by exceptional teachers who instilled in me a love of learning and conversation. I expected to translate those experiences into a career in business but was tugged toward medicine by the stories I heard during my volunteer accounting work. Through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, an organization that delivers free tax preparation services to members of the community with limited access to tax resources, I was exposed to the consequences of our health care and insurance systems and felt I could contribute more to my community as a physician. I learned of the inspiring work that Parkland Memorial Hospital was doing to improve access and costs of health care and knew from that moment on that I wanted to train at UT Southwestern.

College: I attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas. I was awarded the Hunt Leadership Scholarship and the Cox School of Business BBA Scholarship. I graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude with degrees in accounting and biology and a minor in chemistry. I also worked as a resident assistant, admissions ambassador, and teaching assistant on our Center for Presidential History’s World War II study abroad experience in England and France.  

UTSW activities: I am a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and I co-chair the Ethics Lectures Committee, which challenges medical students to think through ethical dilemmas relevant to their rotations. I’ve fostered a love of teaching through my roles as a tutor for Student Academic Support Services and a mentor through our Colleges curriculum. I have additionally been on the leadership teams of our PRIDE student group and the inaugural Anti-Racism Action Subcommittee.

Surprising fact: I have a deep appreciation for the arts and humanities. I can be found perusing vintage vinyl record shops, examining new installations at the Dallas Museum of Art, or taking in a performance at the Meyerson Symphony Center, Wyly Theatre, or Winspear Opera House.

Future plans: I am looking forward to beginning my career as a physician in obstetrics and gynecology, staying on at UT Southwestern for my residency. I currently have an interest in continuing training as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

About the award: The award honors Dr. Ahmed, an Obstetrics and Gynecology faculty member who died of breast cancer at age 39. The recipient demonstrates exemplary women’s health care and epitomizes the clinician that Dr. Ahmed was – caring, intelligent, and involved in her community.