Danny P. Pugh, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon at UT Health Athens, who applies the Golden Rule when caring for his patients. “I truly believe that as a physician it’s my responsibility to care for and treat patients as I would want to be cared for and treated. The opportunity to do something that gives people a better life is the most gratifying of experiences.” Dr. Pugh was drawn to general surgery because of the vast array of procedures involved and the opportunity to help patients experiencing a broad spectrum of issues. “I was fortunate to experience an excellent education at Southwestern Medical School and rigorous residency program in Dallas at St. Paul Hospital (now part of Southwestern Medical Center),” Dr. Pugh said. “I trained at a time when the breadth of surgery residency was extensive. This has allowed me to perform non-cardiac thoracic, vascular, trauma and general abdominal, pelvic surgeries and laparoscopic surgeries.” Dr. Pugh is employed as a clinical faculty physician at The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center under the UT Tyler School of Medicine.