Portrait of Josh Alvior.
As the son of a physician, Josh Alvior grew up with countless memories of his father
caring for others. But one memory, during a gap year spent working as a scribe in
his father’s family practice in Tampa, stands out.
A patient with complex medical and neurosurgical issues came into the clinic, who
had been labeled a “difficult patient” by previous providers. But under his father’s
care, she finally felt heard. He not only managed her multiple non-surgical concerns,
but he also ensured she received the specialist follow-up care she needed.
“That experience highlighted the role of a primary care physician as the first line
of care for patients and showed me the importance of compassion in making a difference
in these patients' lives,” Alvior said. “It was one of many inspiring moments I had
working with him.”
(From left) Josh's dad and his mother holding him as a baby.
Those moments working alongside his father in the clinic solidified Alvior’s decision
to pursue medicine. Now, he’s preparing to graduate from the USF Health Morsani College
of Medicine and begin a general surgery residency at LSU Health New Orleans.
One of the most challenging transitions during medical school, he said, was adjusting
to the fast-paced world of clinical rotations, with its higher stakes and real-life
implications.
“When you move from being a student in the classroom to a student in the hospital,
the expectations completely change,” he said. “You’re taking care of real patients.
You’re still studying, but now you’re also balancing a full workload at the hospital.
It’s a lot of pressure.”
That period was made even more difficult by a physical and emotional separation from
his core group of friends in the college’s SELECT program, who relocated to Allentown,
Pennsylvania for the latter half of medical school.
“It was tough. I really had to rely on my new clinical rotation group — and on my
family,” Alvior said. “Coming home after long days and being able to talk to people
who cared about me made all the difference.”
Through it all, Alvior was determined to be deeply engaged with his classmates and
served as class president all four years of medical school. "It was an honor to represent
my class," he said. “It taught me that leadership in medicine means listening, supporting
others and building community."
Outside the hospital and the classroom, Alvior sought out global experiences to enrich
his education. One of the most memorable was a research trip to Thailand, where he
and classmates studied pulmonary function in post-COVID patients with chronic kidney
disease.
“Our research was published, but the cultural experience was even more meaningful,”
he said. “Being immersed in a different health care system showed me how science is
universal. We may do things differently, but we’re all working toward the same goal.”
Now matched into a top surgical residency, Alvior is looking forward to deepening
his clinical skills and honing his craft, while building deep and meaningful relationships
with patients.
Alvior initially planned to follow in his father's footsteps by practicing internal
medicine. But during his clinical rotations, he found his calling in the operating
room.
Josh at USF Health Match Day 2025.
He was drawn to the precision and collaboration of surgical teams, as well as the
satisfaction of seeing a tangible, immediate impact in the lives of patients. He also
appreciated the special bond of trust required between patient and surgeon.
“There’s so much mutual trust required in surgery. The patient is very vulnerable,
and they trust you to take care of them — and that’s a privilege,” Alvior said. “Even
helping just one person in the hospital is a big deal. That’s what keeps me waking
up early, staying late and giving everything I’ve have. That’s what it means to be
a doctor.”
Reflecting on his journey, Alvior credits his success to his parents, friends and
mentors.
“I think about my dad’s passion for medicine, my mom’s strength and the mentors who
guided me when I decided to switch from internal medicine to surgery,” he said. “I’m
grateful for my friends and the patients who trusted me.”
As he prepares to graduate and begin life as a resident, Alvior says he’s proud of
where it all began and will be a USF Bull for life.
“I’m so grateful to have gone to medical school at USF Health. It brought me great
friendships, incredible mentors and the opportunity to be a doctor — those are things
I’ll never stop being thankful for.”