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For Jarius Garner, medicine is more than a profession — it’s a calling. A third-year medical student at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), he carries with him a deeply personal motivation that has guided every step of his journey. It started with loss, a void left by the passing of his grandfather, who died of brain cancer when Jarius was just nine months old. Though he never had the chance to know him, the impact of that loss shaped the foundation of his “why.” 

It was a story his mother told him over and over again. In his grandfather’s final days, he was weak, barely able to speak, confined to a wheelchair as the disease took its toll. But on one particular day, his mother placed baby Jarius in his grandfather’s lap. And something changed. 

“For that whole day, he was able to speak perfectly fine,” Jarius recalls, his voice carrying the weight of that moment. “He was jovial, energetic — like a version of himself that had been locked away by the illness, suddenly set free.” 

Though he was too young to remember it, that day cemented something within him. It wasn’t just a family story — it was a connection, a passing of purpose from one generation to the next. And as Jarius grew, so did his fascination with the brain and with the very disease that had taken his grandfather away. 

 That passion led him from Kennesaw, Georgia to Howard University for his undergraduate studies and then back home to Atlanta, where he began his medical school journey at Morehouse School of Medicine. With each passing year, Jarius's interest in neurosurgery solidified, shaped by his mentors and research experiences. During the 37th Dr. Curtis L. Parker Student Research Symposium on February 12, 2025, he had the opportunity to truly showcase the work that meant so much to him. 

 

The Symposium: A Platform for Passion and Progress 

The Curtis L. Parker Student Research Symposium is a hallmark event at Morehouse School of Medicine, when MSM residents, medical and graduate students, undergraduate students in the Atlanta University Center and students from colleges and universities across the state of Georgia have the opportunity to present their research, network with professionals and refine their ability to communicate complex medical concepts. For Jarius, it was more than just an academic exercise — it was a chance to bring attention to the research that fueled his passion and, in some ways, honored his grandfather’s memory.  

His study, in conjunction with Emory University’s Department of Neurosurgery, focused on brain metastases, a condition where cancer cells spread from a primary tumor — such as those in the lungs, breast or skin — to the brain. Unlike tumors that originate in the brain, metastases pose unique challenges in treatment and survival outcomes. 

“I wanted to find a niche in neuro-oncology where I could really make a difference,” Jarius explains. “Brain metastases stood out to me because they show just how unpredictable and devastating cancer can be. A tumor that starts in one place can suddenly appear in the brain, altering a patient’s entire prognosis.” 

Working alongside a dedicated team, Jarius analyzed survival outcomes between patients with a single solitary brain metastasis versus those with a dominant metastasis accompanied by several smaller tumors. His findings were both illuminating and urgent. 

“Our research showed that there was a very minimal difference between patients who had a single metastasis removed versus those who had a dominant tumor removed in the presence of multiple others,” he explains. “That’s critical information for neurosurgeons and patients making treatment decisions. It means that even if you have multiple tumors, surgery could still be a viable option in your treatment plan.” 

But the data revealed something else — something more personal. 

“We also found that men had a significantly higher hazard ratio of death compared to women,” Jarius says. “We started asking why. Was it behavioral? Women are more likely to seek medical care and to follow up consistently. Or was there a biological factor? Does estrogen play a neuroprotective role from brain metastases?” 

As he presented his findings at the symposium, those questions sparked deep conversations. Attendees — faculty, students, and researchers — paused, listened and engaged. The symposium wasn’t just about presenting; it was about pushing forward the dialogue on disparities in health care.  

“At Morehouse [School of Medicine], we see these disparities play out in real time,” Jarius says. “We know that African Americans and other marginalized groups have worse survival outcomes across so many diseases and brain cancer is no different. Our study added to the growing body of research that shows we must continue to educate and advocate for our communities.”  

 

More Than Research: The Emotional Weight of Medicine 

While the symposium was a professional milestone, it was also a deeply personal one. As Jarius stood beside his research poster, answering questions and discussing data, he couldn’t help but think about the little boy who had unknowingly sat in his grandfather’s lap, absorbing something intangible but powerful. 

“This journey has been full of faith,” he says. “Every time I push forward, I feel like I’m honoring something bigger than myself.” 

That faith also drove him to seek out mentorship, a crucial aspect of his growth as a future neurosurgeon. His research mentor, neurosurgeon Dr. Kimberly Hoang at Emory University, welcomed him with open arms when he expressed interest in neurosurgery. She guided him not just in research, but in understanding the rigorous yet rewarding path ahead. 

“Having mentors like Dr. Hoang and my peers at MSM has been life-changing,” he says. “This isn’t a journey you take alone. It’s about learning from those who came before you and then turning around to uplift those coming behind you.” 

And that’s exactly what he hopes to do. Jarius dreams of one day helping Morehouse School of Medicine establish its own neurosurgery program to accompany MSM's existing neuroscience program, creating new opportunities for a wide range of students who aspire to enter the field but lack the institutional support seen at larger medical centers. 

 

The Road Ahead: Matching, Mentorship, and Mission  

Now in his third year, Jarius is gearing up for Match Day in 2026, and looks to match at one of the country's top neurosurgery residency programs in the country. As he finishes up his third-year rotations, he was asked about his experiences training at Grady Health System and serving a community close to his hometown.  

"I love Grady," he says. "Working there has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences. The patients, the cases, the impact — it's been a very gratifying time." Wherever he matches, his mission remains the same: to bring compassionate, cutting-edge neurosurgical care to those who need it most. 

“For anyone who wants to go into medicine, my advice is simple: believe in yourself,” Jarius says. “People will doubt you. You’ll have moments where you doubt yourself. But if you stay the course, if you put in the work every day, the opportunities will come.” 

 

His journey — from a child unknowingly carrying his grandfather’s legacy, to a medical student conducting innovative research — is a testament to the power of purpose. And as he steps into the next chapter, one thing is certain: his story is just beginning. 

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Morehouse School of Medicine is celebrating 50 Years of Shaping The Future of Health Equity. Our relentless effort to dismantle barriers and create equity for all begins with our changemakers. As we reflect on our journey of leading the creation and advancement of health equity to achieve health justice, we are honored to share the stories of those who have and continue to shape MSM's legacy. 

The 37th annual Curtis L. Parker Symposium was held on February 12, 2025, and this year's keynote speaker was Clayton C. Yates, PhD, John R. Lewis Professor of Pathology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. 

 

 

About the Author

Zipporah Dorsey is a program coordinator with a passion for creative communication. She is storyteller at heart who believes every person has a story, and she is dedicated to bringing those narratives to life through creativity and collaboration.

Contact

Zipporah Dorsey
Program Coordinator
Office of Impact & Innovation
zdorsey@msm.edu