Name: Ghaith Ati
Xavier Graduation Year: 2024
Match Location: Mercy Health Anderson Hospital (Ohio)
Specialty: Family Medicine
Choice Match Location: First choice

In the vibrant tapestry of Xavier University School of Medicine’s alumni, Ghaith Ati’s story stands out as a testament to resilience, determination, and a steadfast commitment to service. From his roots in war-torn Baghdad, Iraq, to being on the cusp now of starting his residency, Ghaith’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of education, perseverance, and compassion.

Ghaith’s story begins amidst the tumult of Iraq’s recent history. Born into a family where education and service were esteemed virtues—his mother a chemical engineering professor and his father a process engineer—Ghaith’s upbringing was shaped by a deep-seated desire to make a difference. In 2008, the Ati family sought refuge in Canada, where Ghaith embarked on a journey of adaptation and growth, balancing academic pursuits with familial responsibilities and the challenges of acclimating to a new environment.

Despite the upheaval of relocation, Ghaith remained steadfast in his aspirations to pursue a career in healthcare. His experiences working at his family’s business in Vancouver from a young age instilled in him the values of hard work, perseverance, and empathy. With a passion for science and a heart for service, Ghaith’s path was clear—he was destined for a career where he could positively impact the lives of others. “I applied to Xavier, excited to embark on this new and very exciting journey. Little did I know that my time in Xavier would change my life in the best way possible.”

Ghaith wanted to make sure that Xavier was the right place for him. “My family and I deeply researched the school and in fact even got in contact with staff from Xavier who kindly provided us with the information that we needed to make our decision. I found Xavier’s curriculum to be equivalent to what was offered in other schools and would help me become an excellent physician in the future. Further, the relatively smaller classroom size allowed for more one on one interaction with the professors which was something that was very important to me. Lastly, Xavier’s tuition costs were more affordable than other schools and they offered generous financial assistance as well. All those factors combined together instilled within me the confidence in my choice of joining Xavier.”

Ghaith’s time during pre-health and basic science in Aruba was marked by academic rigor, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging. From the warmth of the faculty to the bonds forged with fellow students, Ghaith found himself immersed in a community that nurtured his growth and supported his aspirations. “From day one, I vividly remember the kindness of faculty members in easing our adjustment to this new environment. The sense of community that we built really made us feel like family and those bonds we formed are still unbroken to this day.”

His journey through basic sciences in Aruba and clinical rotations across the United States was characterized by excellence, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. “I very much enjoyed my clinical rotations with fellow Xavier students and faculty. It was touching to see that same sense of community that was formed on the island carry itself all the way across the different states and cities that our rotations took place in. I found each rotation to be quite excellent as our preceptors and attendings were keen on teaching and providing us with guidance on how to prepare to be a great resident. Expectations were clearly laid out for us students and we received regular feedback from preceptors and attendings in order to ensure continual meeting of expectations. Many attendings even tailored their tips and advice based on our specialty of interest, which as a medical student I greatly respected and appreciated. Further, administrative tasks were a breeze thanks to phenomenal clinical coordinators like Chelsea and Yvette who I am so grateful for in making my journey a pleasant one.”

Xavier University School of Medicine played a pivotal role in shaping Ghaith’s trajectory towards success. From providing robust academic resources to fostering a culture of support and mentorship, Xavier equipped Ghaith with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to navigate the challenges of medical education and beyond. “The entirety of Xavier’s staff has been wonderful to me and their kindness will live within me for as long as I am a physician.”

The school’s unwavering commitment to its students, exemplified by dedicated faculty and staff, ensured that Ghaith was well-prepared to embark on the next phase of his journey—matching at his first choice for residency in Family Medicine at Mercy Health – Anderson Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.

As Ghaith reflects on his journey, he offers a message of hope and encouragement to aspiring medical students considering Xavier University School of Medicine. “If you are looking for a place that has your best interest in mind, then look no further. Xavier will provide you with the knowledge, tools, connections and assistance that you need in order to do well on your board exams and residency application and beyond. Compared to other schools, Xavier’s prompt assistance of its students and professionalism sets it apart. Time and time again, Xavier has proven itself to be truly about us students. I strongly doubt that you will find a better school than Xavier in caring about its students and preparing them for the rigors of residency. I will be helping my 2 younger siblings apply to Xavier once they are ready.”