Garrett Candelaria, MD

Garrett is a CA-1 resident in the Department of Anesthesiology. Originally from Albuquerque, NM, he developed an early interest in medicine and patient care while working as an LPN at an ambulatory pediatric clinic. He later completed his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the University of New Mexico before earning his medical degree at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Now in residency, Garrett is passionate about perioperative patient safety, quality improvement, and optimizing anesthesia workflows. While still exploring his long-term career path, he is strongly considering a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology.

Beyond medicine, Garrett values the close relationships he has built over the years. His large, tight-knit family—including 30 first cousins—has always been central to his life, and he makes it a priority to stay connected with them despite the demands of residency. He also remains close with friends from his hometown and medical school, cherishing the bonds formed through shared experiences and late-night study sessions. Since moving to St. Louis, Garrett has found a strong sense of community within his residency program, which has made the transition to a new city seamless. Whether exploring the city’s food scene, unwinding after long shifts, or sharing a laugh in the resident lounge, his co-residents have become an extension of his support system. He is often outside of the city visiting his partner, Victoria, in Baltimore whenever he can, and they enjoy exploring new places together.

In his free time, Garrett enjoys baking, experimenting with new dessert recipes, and perfecting his espresso technique as a dedicated home barista. He also loves getting lost in a good book or unwinding with TV—while Game of Thrones is his all-time favorite, he has a well-known soft spot for reality TV. No matter where life takes him, Garrett finds the most joy in sharing these moments with the people who matter most.