Here to Serve
Dr. Tarek Garas
Urogynecology/Obstetrics/Gynecology, Watson Clinic
Dr. Tarek Garas comes from a distinguished lineage of physicians, a heritage deeply rooted in legacy and purpose. From a young age, his mother often told him she believed that he would one day become a doctor—a vision spoken not merely as a hope, but as a conviction.
During his years in medical school, Dr. Garas earnestly sought direction for his specialty not only through study and science but through prayer and Scripture. In a moment of reflection he opened the Bible, and his eyes fell upon a verse that changed his life forever. That passage resonated deeply within him, and it affirmed the quiet certainty his mother had always spoken—that he was called to bring life into the world, to deliver babies and to care for women.
Thankfully for Watson Clinic and thousands of patients, Dr. Garas has served as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Urogynecologist & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgeon for the past 23 years. What began as a maternal prophecy became a sacred calling, one confirmed by faith and fulfilled through the art of medicine.
Following his residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, he had several offers on the table. Having previously lived in Boston, Omaha, Denver and Miami, Dr. Garas and his wife, Marianne, had many cities that welcomed them back, but they felt led to Lakeland and Watson Clinic.
“My predecessors built a fantastic practice that was and continues to be very-patient focused,” he says.
He aims to employ an empathetic approach with patients, and he says that begins with clear communication, however long that takes in the exam room. Dr. Garas says his goal is always to make a patient feel as though they are his only patient, staying with them until every question is answered, regardless of the time.
“My patients know although I may be late, they’ll have my full attention for as long as they need,” he says with a smile and laugh.
He also is proud to say his hand-picked staff embodies that attitude and is adept at finding ways to fit in unexpected patients and serve them more comprehensively. He lauds that his team is well trained, kind and professional.
To articulate the options and possible outcomes for patients, Dr. Garas invests time into learning the latest advancements in everything from hormone replacement therapies to reconstructive and robotic surgeries. He and his team are constantly looking for ways to improve outcomes, shorten healing time, reduce scarring and improve quality of life.
“I’m always seeking new treatments and opportunities, so that my patients with complex urinary issues, for example, do not have to travel to Jacksonville or Miami for advanced therapies. They get to stay here at home.”
Marianne said one of the joys for their family, which includes the couple’s three daughters, has been to see her husband work with the same patients and families at different stages of life across generations.
Working to provide the best outcomes for every patient means Dr. Garas and his team are always seeking to learn more. They strive to understand what patients experience and how to care for them better.
The road has not always been easy—coming from immigrant parents to almost losing his life from COVID-19, Dr. Garas has learned that life is not without struggles. Each patient carries with them a story and deep history that is relevant to their current medical needs, and perhaps that is why some appointments with him last so long.
“When I was trying to recover from COVID-19, I was asking questions that nobody really knew the answer to. I found it very difficult,” he says. “So when someone is willing to put their spouse or themselves under my care, I value that trust tremendously. Hopefully my passion to communicate with them and answer all of their questions reveals how much I care.”
Dr. Garas’ three daughters have caught the vision that their father exemplifies, as they are pursuing medical school, pharmacy school, and science classes at Florida Southern College. He’s proud and wants them to learn, “It’s all about caring for souls; it’s all about caring for people. Find God’s purpose in everything you do; be able to stand firm in who you are and what you believe, even in an ever-changing world. We are here to serve each other.”
Marianne’s advice to her eldest daughter, who is currently pursuing her interests in Obstetrics and Gynecology is to “Keep your eyes on your father, humbly learn everything you can from him, receive his mantle, because he’s excellent at what he does.”
Though the journey has often required sacrifice for the entire family—including late night surgeries or on-call appointments at all hours—it has been worth it to them.
“The greatest reward in life is not measured in accolades or titles, but in fulfilling one’s purpose. For me, that purpose reveals itself in the most ordinary, beautiful moments—at Publix, or sitting in a local restaurant, when a woman approaches me with gratitude in her eyes, recounting how his care profoundly touched her life,” Marianne says about her husband. “Or when a nearby family leans over and joyfully says, ‘He delivered all of our children,’ it causes me to pause and say ‘Thank you, Lord. It was all worth it’.”
When asked “What’s next?” Dr. Garas smiles and says, “Well, there’s no retirement in the Bible, so retirement was never the goal. As long as I have the capability to serve, that’s where you’ll find me. I love what I do with a passion, there’s no other specialty. It’s the best profession in the world!”
“...when a nearby family leans over and joyfully says, ‘He delivered all of our children,’ it causes me to pause and say ‘Thank you, Lord. It was all worth it’.”
