Martha D. Garrett-Shaver, MD, is a family practice physician currently seeing patients at the South Arkansas Family Care Center, a part of South Arkansas Physician Services. While her practice is focused on preventive medicine and routine care for patients of all ages, Dr. Garrett-Shaver also offers treatment for acute and chronic conditions and has additional training in obstetrics and gynecology. As a part of South Arkansas Physician Services, she coordinates care with other providers and specialists to give each patient the comprehensive support and treatment that they need to live their best lives. Her work at the practice includes record keeping and patient charting, as well as making rounds and seeing patients one-on-one to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions and support each patient in meeting their lifelong health goals.
Dr. Garrett-Shaver joined South Arkansas Family Care Center in 2018 after eight years of service as a residency director at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In addition to her clinical and supervisory work, she also found success as an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she helped thousands of students develop the skills and ethics required to provide compassionate and competent care. Prior to entering the field of medicine, Dr. Garrett-Shaver enjoyed a long career as a science teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in science from Hendrix College in 1966 and discovered a calling to help others through medicine over the course of her teaching career.
In 1996, Dr. Garrett-Shaver returned to school as a student at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and was awarded a Doctor of Medicine in 2000. She remained at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center for an additional three years to complete her residency in family medicine. She considers returning to school in her 50s and overcoming numerous logistical and cultural obstacles to attending medical school to be one of the highlights of her career. Dr. Garrett-Shaver is proud to bring her diverse professional background and life experience to her clinical interactions and emphasizes that her unique perspective on medicine has helped her build rapport with her patients and students.
Dr. Garrett-Shaver credits her success to the support of her husband and the support of her peers and feels that hard work and tenacity were the keys to her achievements. In order to stay at the leading edge of developments in her specialty, she is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Her commitment to patient care and professional development has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the Marquis Distinguished Worldwide Humanitarian Award. In 2022, Dr. Garrett-Shaver was named a Marquis Who’s Who Top Doctor, and she has been profiled in an issue of Marquis Millennium Magazine highlighting her accomplishments in medicine.
In her personal time, Dr. Garrett-Shaver enjoys scuba diving, a hobby she began learning in her 60s, and is a passionate supporter of charities benefiting animals and the natural world, including the Ocean Conservancy, the Wildlife Federation, and the Best Friends Animal Society. She looks forward to continuing her practice and continuing to grow as a medical provider, mentor, and community member in the coming years.