FLORIDA MOM MAGAZINE - June '08 - Kate Garvey, M.D.By: Robert Candler Photos: Carrie-Lynn Smith
 Kate Garvey is the epitome of an on-the-go mom. Her life has been a whirlwind of activity over the last nine years, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She has three beautiful young children, a loving husband, two gigantic dogs, a gorgeous house, and by the way, she’s a fourth year Resident physician at the prestigious Mayo clinic.
Coming from a Milwaukee, Wisconsin family with four older brothers meant her home was always loud and active. “As you can imagine, I was a major tomboy,” she states. “My parents, who have been married 40 years and still going strong, have been a huge inspiration. They have been immensely supportive, in all of my academic and career pursuits, but have always stressed the importance of staying grounded. When I was in med school, they actually pushed me to study less, so I could continue to do the things I found enjoyable, to help maintain my own sanity,” she remembers. She still sticks to this credo, albeit with a full family of her own now.
Kate has been interested in medicine since grade school. She recalls reading her mom’s medical texts and not being turned off by the graphic illustrations. She actually found the human anatomy fascinating, and felt that a seed was planted, even though she had no physicians in her immediate family. She carried this seed with her through high school and into the Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for undergraduate studies.
It was after another three years at Northwestern University, in Chicago, in which she earned a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy that her life really began to change. She moved to Connecticut, away from her family, and began her career as a physical therapist. Kate became good friends with one of her colleagues, Diane. It was this friendship that lead to the start of her nine-year whirlwind.
Kate was enjoying the freedom of having a ‘real’ job and actually bringing in some money on her own. She was ready to flex her muscles and try a trip abroad to Italy, but could not find anyone to join her. She exhausted her list after talking to friends and family, and was about to go it alone, when Diane stepped up.
Diane, playing cupid, called her brother Chris Garvey and told him that someone she worked with was interested in a trip to Italy, and was looking for a travel ‘buddy.’ Out of the blue, Kate gets a phone call from this guy who says," Hi, I’m Chris Garvey, Diane’s brother. So, do you want to go to Italy?”
“It was crazy! I had seen a picture or two, but we never actually met, until we caught up with each other at the JFK airport, on the way to Europe,” she fondly remembers. She continues, “Never in a million years would I have guessed at the time that I would be going on a trip with this guy, whom I’d never met and end up marrying him. It’ll be a good story for the grandkids someday.”
 After the Italy trip, the winds of motion began to increase. Kate’s relationship with Chris began to blossom further. She moved back to Wisconsin to start med school, and thoughts of family began to emerge. Chris finished his residency and became an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician, an Otolaryngologist. The couple married and immediately decided to have children. Kate states, “I started med school a little later in life than most, 30 years old. I have found it extremely difficult to balance my roles as a resident in training, wife and mother, and still have a sliver of time for myself. We’ve also had to separate our family a few times. For example, when I first started my internship year down here in Florida, I was 5 months pregnant with Luke, and Jack was 9 months old. I moved down alone in a house with basically a small TV, a mattress on the floor and some patio furniture, until Chris found a position and could move down with baby Jack.”
Life has continued to evolve for the Garvey family. Kate finished her internship and became a resident Dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic, in the South San Pablo area. They now have three children, with their newest edition, baby Nick. She continues to study as a fourth year resident, and is looking forward to finishing her training. One of her goals is to get back to a more predictable life. She is going to have a bright future as a Dermatologist, but she recognizes that family is increasingly becoming more important. Kate looks forward to spending more time with her children and their school and extracurricular activities, as they get a little older.
Looking back over the past few years, Kate Garvey is a dedicated woman, with a steadfast devotion to her family, her education, and her career. She states, "My parents engrained in us a strong work ethic and integrity. I've relied on these to get me through the stressful times." She’s persevered through medical school, starting a family, and becoming an integral part of the community. She's a true Florida Mom. Great job Kate! |
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