July 13, 2021—Southeast Georgia Health System is pleased to welcome
board-certified urologist,
Andrew Craig McGregor, M.D., to
Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Urology and to the Brunswick and Camden Campus medical staff.
From a young age, McGregor was inspired by his mother to pursue a career
in health care. “When I was seven years old, my mother started medical
school,” says McGregor. “The entire family lived through the
challenges of those four years followed by five years of internship and
residency. I actually spent days and evenings at the hospital with her
and was fascinated by the technology and environment. Once I was in high
school, I realized that I had a passion for science. From there, pursuing
a career in medicine seemed like a natural fit.”
After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in biology from Davidson
College in Davidson, North Carolina, McGregor earned his medical degree
from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He
completed his internship and residency training in urology at University
of Kentucky, Albert B. Chandler Medical Center, in Lexington, Kentucky.
During medical school rotations, McGregor discovered his preference for
urology. “I loved the surgery side of the specialty, from performing
a simple procedure like removing a kidney stone to complex issues related
to cancer. As a surgeon, the ability to have such a dramatic impact on
a patient’s life is powerful and gratifying,” says McGregor.
“But I was also drawn to the fact that as a urologist, I would be
able to follow my patients’ journeys and build lasting relationships
with them from their regular office visits over many years.”
Considering McGregor’s patient-centered approach to practicing medicine,
it’s no surprise that a specialty that encourages long-term patient
relationships appealed to him. He believes that patient care is a joint
effort between the patient, their family, himself and his practice, and
only by employing this team approach can the best possible outcome be achieved.
“My job is to help guide the patient and their family in making the
best possible choices given their particular circumstances,” says
McGregor. “Patients are often in a new and overwhelming situation,
and it can be very difficult to process all of the information in front
of them. My goal is to help them make an informed decision regarding treatment,
so they are comfortable and prepared. Then I treat their condition to
the best of my and my team’s abilities.”
Prior to joining the Health System, McGregor practiced medicine for nearly
16 years in a physician-owned and operated multispecialty group in Lexington,
Kentucky. When he and his family decided to relocate, McGregor says that
he chose Southeast Georgia Health System because it offered a similar
environment to his practice in Kentucky, with the addition of inpatient services.
“I’ve witnessed the advantages of an integrated system to provide
health care first hand, and I know that it leads to better patient care
and satisfaction and, ultimately, better outcomes,” says McGregor.
But his enthusiasm for joining an integrated system wasn’t his only
motivation for joining the Health System. Although he was born in Atlanta,
his family has been visiting the Golden Isles for 25 years.
“About ten years ago, during one of our family vacations, I actually
developed appendicitis and had my appendix removed at the Brunswick Campus
hospital,” explains McGregor. “It’s ironic that I am
now working in the same hospital where I was once such an unexpected patient!”
In his spare time, McGregor enjoys the company of his wife, Gretchen, and
daughter, Caroline. He adds, “We’re all looking forward to
gorgeous days at the beach and on the water, fishing and sailing.”
McGregor has joined
David M. Kranc, M.D., Ph.D., board-certified urologist, in the
Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Urology practice located in the Brunswick Campus Outpatient Care Center. He is
currently accepting new patients. To learn more, visit sghs.org/urology
or call 912-265-1300 to schedule an appointment.