Biographical Info (hometown, experience, specialty): 

Lynchburg, VA – General Surgery 

Which Program (Campaign School/Candidate Workshop) did you attend? 

2006 Candidate Workshop  

Have you run for public office? What was the result? 

Yes, in May 2006. At-Large member of Lynchburg, VA City Council. I was the top vote-getter amongst 12 people running for three positions, including two incumbents (they won the other two slots). 

UPDATE: Dr. Garrett was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2009 and reelected in 2013. 

Have the programs helped in your political careers? How? 

Yes, it provided invaluable insight/information on how to run a successful campaign, particularly as I had no prior experience or involvement in any political process or campaign. 

Have the programs helped in your medical/advocacy careers? How? 

Yes, as I have been quite active in Richmond, VA advocating for policies critical to our profession. Wearing a white coat opens a lot of doors, but being a local elected official opens others as well. 

What was the most important thing you learned from AMPAC programs? 

How to succeed in a political campaign. 

What would you say to members of the medical community thinking about becoming involved in politics? 

I would say that they have been politicians all of their professional lives, whether they know it or not, just on a one-to-one (MD to patient/family) basis rather than in the more formal sense of representing a constituency. The people are crying out for trust and confidence in their elected officials at all levels, and members of the medical profession by their very nature are extremely well-positioned to earn/reaffirm that trust. Physicians have extraordinary analytical and intellectual skill sets that are critically needed to effectuate sound public policy.