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It’s hard to walk through the halls of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) without someone recognizing Jarius Garner. Whether he’s mentoring students, teaching in peer-led Step 1 review sessions, or snapping candid moments as MSM’s unofficial class photographer, Jarius has left his imprint on campus in more ways than one. 

Born and raised in Kennesaw, Georgia, Jarius earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University in 2022 and is currently a 4th-year MD student with ambitions in neurosurgery. “I’ve been drawn to neurosurgery since high school,” he shared. “It’s a field that merges everything I’m passionate about — research, teaching and hands-on patient care. I envision a future of myself either in academic medicine or private practice down the line, but who knows, we’ll see.” 

That drive to give back through mentorship and education is what ultimately led Jarius to step into the role of Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President for the 2025-2026 academic year. “I’ve always had an interest in student government as far back as my college days,” he said. “At Howard, I worked on several SGA campaigns and even ran for president of my college council after serving on the E-board one year. Even though I didn’t win, I gained valuable experience that shaped the way I lead now.” His leadership journey has been equally active — serving as Co-President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons-MSM Chapter, Class of 2026 and MD Council representative and Vice President of Black Men in White Coats.  

All of those roles helped prepare him for what’s ahead. “They gave me a chance to work across campus with different groups and faculty,” he explained. “When you lead from different angles, you learn how to bring people together. That’s something I want to amplify this year.” 

 

Alongside SGA President Jeromey Beaman’s leadership style, Jarius sees himself as the behind-the-scenes strategist. “Jeromey is the bold voice, always ready to speak to a room. I’m the complement, making sure everything in the background is running smooth and accordingly,” he said. "We've been friends since day one, and we’re both committed to making sure everyone at MSM feels heard and supported.” 

 

Jarius already has a track record of taking initiative. One moment that stands out recently came after conversations with Dr. Herbert-Carter and the Office of Student Learning and Education Resources (OSLER), who shared that they wanted additional student support in STEP preparation for the Class of 2027.  

“Once those conversations were had, my study group and fellow MD tutors Alyssa, Lyndsey, Celena, Monty and I worked to create a robust six-week STEP 1 prep series. We taught weekly sessions focusing on high yield content review and active question simulation to give students the optimal practice necessary to do well on STEP 1. Simply put, our goal was to give back to the next class as best we could.” After the successful completion of their program 2 weeks ago, OSLER now plans to keep this student-led program for the long term. 

Looking ahead, Jarius is focused on boosting student engagement in the student-led H.E.A.L. Clinic and creating more research opportunities for students. “Participation in the clinic hasn’t been the same as it used to be, and we want to change that,” he explained. “At the same time, more students are pursuing specialties that require strong research backgrounds. My goal is to implement a platform where students and faculty can connect on projects across disciplines.” He also teased a revamp of the Campus Activities Board — renamed for the year as the “1975 Collective” — with new events that will create community across all programs. 

 

Another priority of Jarius’ is breaking silos. “We want to create one Morehouse [School of Medicine] — a place where MD, PA, PhD, MPH, nursing students and all other degree granting programs feel connected,” he said. “We’re even working on an inter-program mentorship structure to reinforce that.” 

Jarius acknowledges the uncertainties facing academic medical institutions right now, but he sees this moment as an opportunity. “We’re navigating big changes, but Jeromey and I are committed to being transparent, proactive and accessible,” he said. “We’re not here to speak over anyone — we’re here to amplify student voices and help create solutions.” 

When asked what legacy he hopes to leave behind, Jarius doesn’t hesitate. “If students say they gained opportunities, built friendships, or felt supported during our time in office, that means we did something right,” he said.  

And yes — if you’re at an event this year and someone’s capturing all the memories behind a camera lens, there’s a good chance it’s Jarius. Vice President, peer mentor, neurosurgeon-in-the-making and Morehouse School of Medicine’s own class documentarian. 

 

 

About the Author

Michael Martin is a content strategist who believes in crafting compelling stories that inspire and connect. With a pen for storytelling, he brings the journeys of future physicians to life, highlighting their impact and dedication to healthcare.

Contact

Michael Martin
Digital Content Strategist
Office of Marketing & Communications
mamartin@msm.edu