Student overcomes cancer while attending OSU med school

Monday, August 12, 2024

Media Contact: Neile Jones | Communications Manager, National Center for Wellness and Recovery | 918-561-1169 | neile.jones@okstate.edu

Dr. Brandon Garner's journey to becoming an Oklahoma State University physician was filled with unexpected challenges, including a battle with cancer.

Despite these obstacles, he has emerged stronger and more determined to help others.

His interest in medicine began early.

"In fifth grade, we dissected a pig heart and lung for class. I just really liked it," he said.

This early experience sparked his fascination with hands-on science. A high school medical mission trip to Guatemala with a family friend who was a trauma surgeon only solidified his passion for medicine.

The Start of a Medical Journey

Garner entered OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine with excitement and anticipation. However, his journey took an unexpected turn.

"The summer before medical school, I started feeling this kind of pressure in my throat. I just thought it was allergies," he said.

It persisted, so Garner asked one of his clinical professors, Dr. Diana DeFelice, to check him out.

"His thyroid gland was enlarged and asymmetrical. I advised him to see his primary care physician and get his thyroid worked up," DeFelice said.

Following a series of tests and a biopsy, he received a life-changing diagnosis—cancer.

"I actually just finished a test at school and then I got the phone call," he said, and the news was a shock. "Cancer could mean a lot of things. You don't know if it's really bad or if it's treatable."

Despite his thyroid cancer diagnosis, Garner continued his studies while undergoing treatment, which included three surgeries and radiation.

"Medical school is stressful enough without trying to treat a potentially life-threatening illness," DeFelice said.

Garner did eventually end up taking some time off from medical school, but not because his studies were suffering. He simply needed to get healthy.

He said during it all, OSU Center for Health Sciences provided tremendous support.

"OSU was amazing. They really took care of me, and I'm very thankful," he said.

Throughout his treatment, Garner's girlfriend and now wife, Emily Garner, was a constant source of support.

She said they hadn’t been dating long when Garner told her about his diagnosis.

“It was so wild. He was very casual about it, but I knew I had already started to like him. It never crossed my mind to not date him, even though he was going through this," Emily said.

Her unwavering support, along with the encouragement of family, friends and their faith community, played a crucial role in his recovery, Garner said.

"My faith brought immense peace, knowing that you have a community praying for you," he said.

A New Chapter

Garner graduated from OSU-COM in May and just started his family medicine residency with OSU Medicine in Tulsa.

He is excited about the future, and his experiences as a patient have given him a unique perspective that he believes will make him a better doctor.

"It definitely gave me a patient perspective. I think a lot of physicians don't have that," he said.

DeFelice agrees.

"He will be able to relate to the frustration of not being able to travel a straight line towards your goal when your body doesn't cooperate. And I know he will also remember how important it is to treat the patient, not the labs, procedures or tests," she said.

His wife shares in his excitement.

"It's extra wonderful because it felt like a long journey. Now he's finished, and he's going to be that Dr. Garner we knew he always would be," Emily said.

Garner said he hopes his story serves as an inspiration to others facing their own challenges, and proves that with determination, support and faith, any obstacle can be overcome.

"You just have to take it one step at a time and rely on your support systems," he said. "I'm very thankful for everyone who was part of my team, my support system, including OSU.”