By Lineth Fernandez
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — The next generation of physicians and healthcare professionals took the next step in their medical careers during Broward Health’s annual Graduate Medical Education (GME) White Coat Ceremony, and that included Coral Springs native Dr. Krista Gaie Grant.
Daughter of Jamaican immigrants and a graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Dr. Grant was part of the Broward Health Graduate Medical Education (GME) incoming class of 141 residents and fellows.
Dr. Grant received her white coat during the ceremony and now joins Broward Health’s programs this summer. This was the largest GME class in the healthcare system’s history. In total, Broward Health has a total of 388 residents and fellows across 28 residency and fellowship programs, including cardiovascular, emergency medicine, pediatrics and more.
While in college, Dr. Grant experienced hair loss and couldn’t afford wigs at the time. So, she taught herself how to make them by learning through online tutorials from her small dorm room. What started as a practical and personal solution grew into a skill she never expected to use in medicine. Then, while in medical school at the University of Florida, Dr. Grant shadowed oncologists and worked with pediatric cancer patients. After hearing their stories and seeing how deeply hair loss affected them emotionally, she began making and donating wigs for children and young adults undergoing treatment, working alongside clinical teams at UF Health Shands.
The first in her family to graduate from college, Dr. Grant plans to become a dermatologist. Like her fellow GME classmates, Dr. Grant will rotate throughout Broward Health facilities as part of her training experience.
“The White Coat Ceremony is so special, and I share this incredible moment with my family, friends and fellow residents,” said Dr. Grant. “I am honored to be able to embark on the next phase of my healthcare career with Broward Health.”
Broward Health now has 28 residency and fellowship programs across the system: 24 are ACGME accredited residency and fellowship programs; one is a CODA accredited OMFS program; and three are ASHP accredited pharmacy residency programs. There are 16 programs at Broward Health North, including the launch this year of the obstetrics and gynecology and pharmacy programs. There are 11 programs at Broward Health Medical Center and one program at Broward Health Imperial Point.
