Dr. Kevin Bhagratie’s journey to medicine was shaped by personal experience, perseverance, and a curiosity about the human body. Originally from Orlando, Florida, his path took unexpected turns, but each step reinforced his passion for healthcare and patient advocacy.
“I became sick in high school, and my blood pressure would spike dangerously high,” said Bhagratie. “At one point, I couldn’t even attend my undergraduate classes, and it felt like my life was on pause. A cardiologist told me, ‘Medicine is a scientific art,’ and that really stuck with me. It ultimately led me to switch my major from engineering to public health.”
Bhagratie earned his undergraduate degree from Walden University before attending the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in St. Kitts for medical school. While he hadn’t initially heard of Moultrie, a chance meeting with Colquitt Regional Vice President of Graduate Medical Education Jessica Rivenbark introduced him to the program, and from that moment, everything seemed to fall into place.
“When I first connected with Jessica, I was working as a nursing assistant while studying for exams,” said Bhagratie. “I lost her contact information and went on to have several interviews, with Georgia South being one of the first. Meeting Jessica and finding the program despite losing her information made it seem like it was meant to be.”
Since beginning his residency, Bhagratie has been impressed by the strong mentorship and hands-on learning experience Georgia South provides.
“The faculty here set high standards, but they also take the time to teach,” he said. “Every attending physician and senior resident I’ve worked with has been incredibly supportive, and that motivation pushes me to work harder.”
His passion for family medicine stems from the unique relationships physicians build with their patients.
“There’s something special about being chosen as a family’s doctor—caring for multiple generations and truly becoming part of their lives,” said Bhagratie. “It also gives me the opportunity to improve medical literacy, which is something I care deeply about.”
Bhagratie hopes to one day be a trusted physician and mentor, dedicated to both patient care and education. He was also drawn to Colquitt Regional’s focus on growth while maintaining a strong commitment to its community.
Outside of medicine, Bhagratie enjoys playing pool and working with his hands—a skill he picked up from his father, a general contractor. One fun fact – he’s made it a goal to visit every brewery in each city he’s lived in, often meeting people who became lifelong friends along the way.
So far, his favorite memory at Georgia South has been the YMCA team-building event, where he and his fellow residents got the chance to bond outside of work.
