FMDH Welcomes Dr. Graf

Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital welcomes back Dr. Jahanara Graf as a full-time general and trauma surgeon after working at the hospital intermittently since 2018. With her addition, there are now two general surgeons on staff to be able to perform inpatient and outpatient surgeries without having to travel.

Dr. Graf was born in Manhattan, N.Y., where she grew up until the age of seven, when she then moved to Bangkok, Thailand, as a result of her mom working for the United Nations. After three years, they moved to Geneva, Switzerland, and she lived there until she graduated from high school in 2001. During these years her dad lived in Paris, France, so she, along with her young brother, spent regular time in Paris as well growing up. She attended undergraduate and medical school in Washington, D.C., and completed her residency in Oakland, Calif. She graduated from medical school in 2011 and become a board certified surgeon in 2019. "I have really been on the opposite sides of the world," laughed Graf. "Being in Glasgow is certainly a change from the city life I have had most of my life, but I'm happy to be here."

Her desire for being a surgeon started early on in her medical career. "I was working as a scribe in the ER in Virginia, and I was able to watch the trauma surgeons at this Level I hospital. I was intrigued by their work. I had the courage one night to ask one of the trauma surgeons if I could accompany them to the operating room. The patient had a stab wound in their chest and abdomen and was unstable. I saw the heart pumping, the lungs beating, it was the most incredible thing. In medical school, I loved using my hands and I just really fell in love with surgery during my general residency," Dr. Graf explained. She also admits being able to see the impact of her work is satisfying. "When I am able to save a life, and be able to tell the family everything will be okay is really rewarding. There is a lot of trust involved, and it's a privilege and honor being a surgeon."

In addition to operating and taking care of patients, Dr. Graf is constantly learning and staying up-to-date on the latest advancements and improvements in care. "I was taught on my first day of Med School, it's lifelong learning. I attend conferences, read the latest articles, and if I haven't had experience with a certain case in a while, I look them up in textbooks and review the anatomy," she explained. She is also trained in robotic surgery and is an affiliated clinical instructor for the Stanford School of Medicine through the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, Calif. "I still look up to my mentors. It's really rewarding to be able to teach and pass along the skills that I have learned," she stated.

After spending time around the world, most recently practicing medicine in Tanzania and San Jose, her motivation for coming back to the "Middle of Nowhere," is simple, to serve. "People here and the region deserve excellent surgical experiences, and hopefully I can provide that here. Being able to be a surgeon in a rural community is important to serve the mission that was taught to me in medical school, 'Serve the Underserved,'" she explained. "This is a great community and a great hospital. Everyone is good at their jobs. Serving a small community is a high level of accountability, and it's a great thing to be a part of."

When she isn't reading up on the latest medical advancements, reviewing case files or studying, she loves being in the outdoors, spending time with friends and family and catching up on sleep. "Even though it's a small town, there are many things to enjoy, including the yoga studio and the coffee shop. I also love to swim and spending time at the lake," she stated. On her bucket list still is to check out the Hot Springs at Sleeping Buffalo. "I just like to exercise, and do relaxing activities. It helps balance the stress of being a surgeon," she explains.

Dr. Graf is now seeing patients at the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital Speciality Care Clinic, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 406-228-3536.