Work with Vulnerable Populations Inspires Granite Pare’s Calling to Practice Medicine

Granite Pare, a native of Warren County, Ky., always knew he wanted to be a doctor. At first, it was largely because he enjoyed watching his dad serve as an ER physician in Bowling Green. It seemed exciting, and to anyone young, a career in medicine looks glamorous, promises influence, and has the potential for a high salary.

But as he got older and mapped out a path to medical school, a nagging question would often grip Pare: “Am I doing this for the right reasons?”

It was during his time at Western Kentucky University, where he studied biology and biophysics and participated in the Honors College, that his medical school aspirations transitioned from an on-the-surface dream to what he now senses as a calling.

“I realized the kind of impact you can have on people who don’t have access to health care or the same opportunities as I did,” he said. “I don’t want to waste those opportunities.”

Pare became involved with the International Center of Kentucky, a refugee resettlement agency that helps displaced populations and families rebuild and resettle, ensuring that they have a support structure in order to integrate and thrive in the United States. “It was so eye-opening,” Pare said.

He worked as a health and wellness case management intern, which meant that he helped connect the refugees and their families to vital health resources. This included taking refugees to the doctor, helping them get vaccinations, bringing in translators, and making sure the families had access to their medical records.

“I could always talk to my dad if I felt sick before even going to the doctor’s office,” he said. “The people we worked with couldn’t even speak English, let alone get to the doctor when they needed to.”

Similarly, while on a medical mission trip to Panama, Pare served on a team that helped treat over 650 patients from remote areas in 10 days, many of whom had virtually no other way of receiving health care. The possibility of addressing health care access at home and abroad began to inspire him, and he realized he could make a difference through medicine.

“I fell in love with process of receiving sick patients, treating them, and helping them come out on the other side,” he said.

Being from a rural community outside of Bowling Green, Pare also understood the health disparities across the Commonwealth. He went on to log close to 200 hours of shadowing in the ER and oncology at The Medical Center at Bowling Green, a partner of the College of Medicine’s regional campus there.

Those deep roots in western Kentucky and his tight-knit, supportive family help drive him to stay close to home.

“This community has given me so much, so I want to give back — I want to stay here and serve them,” he said.

When the UK College of Medicine-Bowling Green Campus opened in 2018 to address the physician shortage in Kentucky, Pare knew it was the perfect opportunity for him. He interviewed at other medical schools, but as soon as he heard from UK College of Medicine-Bowling Green Campus, it was an easy decision: “I’m a proud Kentuckian, and I’ve always wanted to help improve health care here.”

As he starts medical school with the Class of 2025, Pare is most excited for the day when he can be involved with patient care in the clinical phases of his education. “I love biology, I love the science — but I love people more.”