– senior doctor advances patient care, medical education and research

FOR Dr Girish Gupta Rambaran, a Senior Registrar in Internal Medicine at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), effective healthcare extends beyond diagnosing and treating illness. His work combines direct patient care with teaching, research and mentorship, contributing to both the immediate needs of patients and the development of Guyana’s future medical workforce.
Dr Rambaran’s journey at GPHC began more than 15 years ago when he was a medical student at the University of Guyana. After graduating with his medical degree in 2013, he joined the hospital and spent about two years as a Medical Officer in Cardiology and Internal Medicine before entering the Internal Medicine Residency Programme. He obtained his specialist qualification in 2020.
His decision to pursue Internal Medicine was driven by an interest in the complexity of the field and the opportunity to care for patients managing multiple medical conditions. He has also credited early mentorship from the late Dr Ramsundar Doobay with helping to shape his approach to careful listening, critical thinking, attention to detail and compassionate care.
Today, Dr Rambaran manages complex medical cases, assesses new admissions, conducts patient reviews and collaborates with other specialties to coordinate care. His responsibilities also include reviewing laboratory and imaging results, adjusting treatment plans, arranging follow-up care and supporting junior doctors.
For patients and their families, these efforts can be particularly significant when serious or complicated illnesses require prolonged and coordinated medical attention. Dr Rambaran said one of the most rewarding aspects of his work is seeing critically ill patients gradually improve and eventually return home.
He also places importance on helping patients and their families understand medical conditions and become more confident in managing their health.
“The best outcomes are usually the result of that shared effort,” he said, referring to the role of healthcare professionals, patients and families in achieving better outcomes.
Dr Rambaran’s contribution to the public health system also extends beyond the hospital ward. He is a member of the core faculty of the Internal Medicine Residency Programme and serves as an Adjunct Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Guyana School of Medicine.
He also chairs GPHC’s Research Committee and the Editorial Committee for the Guyana Medical Scientific Conference, roles through which he contributes to medical research and the sharing of scientific knowledge.
His involvement in medical education and mentorship is particularly important as the country continues to build its local healthcare capacity. Dr Rambaran said that watching students and residents develop into doctors capable of confidently managing complex cases has become another rewarding part of his career.
More than a decade into his professional career at GPHC, he said his motivation remains rooted in the opportunity to make a practical difference in the lives of patients. That can involve managing a serious illness, listening to a patient’s concerns, explaining a diagnosis or helping families understand what lies ahead.
“Ultimately, our goal is not only to treat illness, but to care for the whole person with competence, compassion and respect,” Dr. Rambaran said.
Through his work in patient care, medical education, research and mentorship, Dr Rambaran continues to contribute to efforts aimed at improving healthcare delivery while helping to prepare the next generation of doctors.