SGMC Health has named Colby Ruiz, MD, vascular surgeon, as Physician Advisor for the health system’s Student Engagement Programs. In this volunteer leadership role, Dr. Ruiz will serve as a physician advisor and clinical resource supporting SGMC Health’s student engagement and healthcare pipeline initiatives.
 

Dr. Ruiz provides clinical perspective and guidance for SGMC Health’s high school and college volunteer programs, working closely with the Student Engagement team in the SGMC Health Foundation to ensure experiences are safe, age‑appropriate, and meaningful. He also serves as a key connection to the medical staff, helping identify opportunities for physicians and clinical teams to support student learning and engagement.

 

In addition to overseeing volunteer engagement, Dr. Ruiz plays a key part in coordinating SGMC Health’s physician shadowing program, which is designed primarily for pre‑medical students and medical students seeking exposure to clinical specialties. Shadowing experiences range from one‑day observational opportunities to immersive placements lasting up to two weeks, allowing students to gain firsthand insight into physician workflows, specialty practice areas, and patient care environments. Dr. Ruiz works closely with students and medical staff to facilitate appropriate placements and coordinate schedules across specialties, ensuring experiences are structured, educational, and aligned with students’ academic and career goals. 
 

“Dr. Ruiz brings valuable insight and firsthand experience to this work,” said Hilary Gibbs, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at SGMC Health. “His commitment to mentorship, education, and clinical excellence helps ensure our student engagement programs are well‑structured, meaningful, and aligned with our responsibility to develop the next generation of healthcare professionals.” 

 

Dr. Ruiz also serves as a visible ambassador for SGMC Health’s commitment to developing the future healthcare workforce. Through outreach across the region, he engages with high school Volunteens, college volunteers, and other student groups to educate, inform, and encourage interest in healthcare and physician career pathways. 

  

Since assuming this position, Dr. Ruiz has overseen nearly 200 high school and college students across SGMC Health’s Student Engagement Programs, including 67 Volunteens in 2025 and 19 current college volunteers. Under his oversight, nine college students earned Institute for Healthcare Improvement certifications, and more than 70 students have participated in physician shadowing experiences since April 2025. 

 

Dr. Ruiz brings a unique perspective, having begun his own healthcare journey as a student volunteer at SGMC Health. A Valdosta native, he volunteered in the operating room as a teenager, experiences that helped shape his decision to pursue a career in medicine and ultimately return home to serve the community as a physician. 
 

“Having the opportunity to support students at the same organization where my own interest in medicine began is incredibly meaningful,” said Dr. Ruiz. “Through these programs, we can provide students with purposeful experiences that help them better understand healthcare careers and make informed decisions about their future.”

 

Dr. Ruiz earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia before completing medical school at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He completed his vascular surgery residency at UNC and returned to Valdosta to join SGMC Health as a vascular surgeon, where he specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease, including aortic aneurysms, peripheral arterial disease, and conditions affecting arteries and veins throughout the body.

 

As a Physician Advisor, Dr. Ruiz strengthens SGMC Health’s ongoing efforts to build a strong, sustainable healthcare workforce by fostering early exposure, mentorship, and meaningful engagement opportunities for students interested in healthcare careers.

 

For more information about SGMC Health’s Student Engagement Programs, visit sgmc.org.