Hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida, Dr. Woodward Gramling started his journey to becoming a medical professional at a young age. He knew that he wanted to enter into healthcare so that he could make a meaningful impact, which is what led him to Moultrie.
“I wanted to enter the healthcare field to help others, as well as begin a career involving empathy and leadership,” said Gramling. “Practicing medicine allows me to accomplish both goals.”
Gramling completed his undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida before pursuing his medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – South Georgia. His experiences in Moultrie during medical school left a lasting impression, and the launch of the new psychiatry residency program at Georgia South provided the perfect opportunity for him to remain in a place he had grown to love.
“I came to Moultrie for medical school and fell in love with the town,” said Gramling. “When I heard about the new psychiatry residency program at Georgia South, I knew I wanted to stay in Moultrie.”
During a rotation at Colquitt Regional in his third year of medical school, Gramling recalled how he felt he was being called into psychiatry and how he could help make a difference with patients needing mental health services.
“I felt a real connection and calling to the field,” said Gramling. “I was fortunate to work with Dr. Lisa Rudolph-Watson, Georgia South Psychiatry program director, and she showed me the difference that psychiatrists make in the community. I saw this as something that I would love to do as a career. I enjoy talking with patients and I saw the amount of time spent with them as a unique quality that differentiates psychiatry from other fields of medicine. Getting to know your patients in an open discussion is a passion of mine. I want to help bridge the gap between mental and physical health.”
Georgia South Psychiatry Residency Program was a natural choice for Gramling, given his familiarity with the local community and the program’s alignment with his career goals. The program’s emphasis on community involvement and its focus on serving rural areas resonated with him, reinforcing his commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of underserved populations.
Gramling’s experience at Georgia South has been marked by positive experiences – from having more personalized training opportunities to the supportive environment and collaborative atmosphere among his fellow residents and staff.
“I have loved my time here at Georgia South,” said Gramling. “I get to treat a wide variety of patients and conditions, and I’m allowed to have greater interaction with patients compared to other larger teaching hospitals. My mentors and attending physicians are interested in helping me achieve my goals as a physician, which is great.”
Now in his second year of residency, Gramling is working toward his future career goals. Once his residency is complete, he is interested in pursuing a career in sports psychiatry and hopes to eventually run his own practice.
One of Gramling’s standout memories from his time at Georgia South thus far is winning the hospital softball tournament, highlighting the strong sense of camaraderie within the residency program. When not in the clinic, he enjoys sports, going to the gym, and spending time with his two dogs. He also enjoys traveling, having visited 49 of the 50 U.S. states.
As he continues his residency at Georgia South, Gramling is dedicated to his growth as a physician and excited about the opportunities ahead in his chosen field.
