September 29, 2020 – Southeast Georgia Health System is pleased to
welcome board-certified general surgeon
Benjamin Asher Bograd, D.O., to
Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-General Surgery, and to the
Camden Campus medical staff. Bograd earned his medical degree from West Virginia School
of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, West Virginia. He completed his
internship in general surgery at National Naval Medical Center and his
residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
During his undergraduate and graduate school years, Bograd discovered his
passion for the health care industry through nutrition and exercise science,
but as his education continued, his interests rapidly turned clinical.
He dove into medicine to make a larger impact on his patients’ health
as a physician.
“General surgery allows me to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries
with a wide range of medical and surgical interventions,” says Bograd.
“Simply put, I get to help people find better health in both the
operating room and in the office.”
Considering his motivations for choosing a career in medicine, it’s
no surprise that his approach to patient care is wholehearted and patient-centered.
“My patients become family, and I give them my all because that’s
how I would want my loved ones treated,” says Bograd. “I think
the bond between a patient and their surgeon is very special. There has
to be a strong level of confidence and trust between them. It’s
a connection that I personally didn’t experience in other specialties.”
Prior to joining the Health System, Bograd served twelve years in the Navy.
After leaving active duty, he began searching for a place to settle. On
his wish list was a supportive community hospital with a breadth of patients,
a charming town with a strong school system, close to an airport as his
wife travels (pre COVID-19) often for her job, a military community, and
after being stationed on the small island of Guam, they were looking forward
to finding a home near the beach with warm weather and palm trees.
“I’d say St. Marys is literally the perfect fit,” says
Bograd. “We found exactly what we were looking for in the Health
System and the community, and we are so happy to be here.”
When Bograd isn’t practicing medicine, he enjoys spending time with
his wife, two children, and their dog. Unsurprisingly, Bograd’s
enthusiasm for health and wellness is personal as well as professional.
“My wife took up competing in triathlons while we were overseas,
so I taught myself how to competitively swim, which is very different
than passing the Navy swim tests, started biking, and jumped into the
sport with her,” says Bograd. “I’ve done a handful of
half Ironman races. I’m not sure if I’ll ever step up to a
full Ironman, but I always enjoy the challenge of racing.”
Bograd is proud of becoming a board-certified general surgeon and Fellow
of the American College of Surgeons. He’s received awards for medical
research, but he takes special pride in the notes from patients who are
happy with their care.
“Watching my patients improve, recover completely, and eventually
move on with their life as it was prior to their illness or injury is
very satisfying,” says Bograd. “My goal is always to help
get people back on their feet, and if, following their recovery, I happen
to see them enjoying their life as if surgery had never happened that
is the absolute best.”
He adds, “I want prospective patients to know that I’m here
to listen, I’m here to understand, and I’m here to find answers
to help you get better.”
Bograd is joining general surgeon
Damon W. Brantley, M.D., Chief, Department of Surgery-Camden Campus, at
Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-General Surgery. For more information on Bograd, Brantley and the services they offer, visit sghs.org/general-surgery or call 912-576-6340 to schedule an appointment.