Baldwin County School District Distinguished Alumni 2026: Dr. Anil K. Puri c/o 1997

EricJones
2 hours ago
3 min read

From Baldwin Classroom to Critical Care

When Dr. Anil K. Puri graduated from Baldwin High School in 1997, he carried with him more than strong grades and extracurricular experiences. He carried perspective.

After attending private school through eighth grade, Puri entered Baldwin High as a freshman and quickly recognized the gift of learning in a truly diverse environment.

“Perhaps the greatest gift that Baldwin gave me was the ability to be in a diverse environment,” he said.

He describes interacting daily with classmates from different racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds as transformative an experience that would later shape how he practices medicine.

“It was absolutely phenomenal,” he recalled.

A Foundation in Academics and Leadership

While at Baldwin High, Dr. Puri was active in academics, including participation in Beta Club. During his senior year, the Baldwin Beta Club team earned first place at the state convention, qualifying for nationals in New Orleans, an experience that broadened his view of what was possible beyond Milledgeville.

“It was really a great experience just getting out of town and being able to see another city,” he said. After graduation, Dr. Puri attended Emory University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He then completed medical school at the Medical College of Georgia, followed by residency and fellowship training at the University of Florida.

By training, Dr. Puri is a pulmonologist, a specialist in lung and respiratory care, with additional expertise in intensive care and sleep medicine. In addition to his medical degree, he later earned a Master of Health Administration from George Washington University to better navigate the evolving healthcare landscape and strengthen his practice.

Coming Home to Serve

After nearly 15 years away for education and training, Dr. Puri made a decision that speaks to the heart of Baldwin County’s values: he came home. “I always wanted to come home and get a chance to serve the people that I grew up around,” he said.

Professionally, the return offered an even deeper opportunity, to practice medicine alongside his father. “I only had one shot to work with my father, and I didn’t want to miss that one shot.”

Today, Dr. Puri treats patients in Milledgeville, often caring for individuals he has known since childhood; former teachers, classmates, and community members. He believes that shared experience strengthens care. “Anytime as a physician you can connect with your patients, I think it leads to better care and better outcomes,” he said.

A Commitment to Public Education

Dr. Puri considers himself a product of Baldwin County’s public school system — and he has chosen to invest back into it.“I always consider myself a product of the public school system,” he said. He and his wife enrolled their daughters in Baldwin County Schools, where they have participated in the SAGE program, science fair, chorus, and student organizations — even launching a tutoring initiative to support middle school students.

When discussing school choice, Dr. Puri frames the decision simply: “Sometimes you can either be part of the solution or be part of the problem. We just chose that we would be part of the solution.”

Advice for Future Healthcare Leaders

For students considering medicine, Dr. Puri emphasizes preparation and persistence.

“You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be consistent,” he said. He encourages students to build strong foundations in science, seek exposure by shadowing professionals, and understand that becoming a physician requires endurance as much as intelligence.