Tragic, fatal car accident sparks physician’s pursuit of medicine

In May 1992, Raminder Gill’s life changed forever. A junior undergraduate at UC Davis at the time, Raminder was in a car accident with his older brother, Parvinder Gill, a third-year UC Davis School of Medicine student and UC Regents scholar. Tragically, Parvinder did not survive. Raminder, however, was rushed to UC Davis Medical Center with severe head injuries and was on the operating table for several hours. 

“Every day after May 17, 1992, is a gift,” he said, expressing deep gratitude for his care team that day. Now a clinical professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, Raminder uses his experience to support others with empathy and a profound personal understanding of patient care. His journey embodies UC Davis Health’s commitment to excellence and highlights how compassion and dedication can turn pain into purpose.

Returning to UC Davis Health after medical school, Raminder joined the staff in 2000 and has dedicated over two decades to serving patients at UC Davis Medical Center. “This is my way of giving back,” he reflected. “Thanks to the excellent care I received, I’m able to help others.” 

Growing up in the small town of Colusa, Raminder had no initial intentions of entering the medical field. However, his older brother, whom he describes as “kind and generous,” inspired him. When the pair weren’t playing sports or enjoying meals with family, Raminder fondly remembers taking his brother's suggestion to volunteer at Clinica Tepati, UC Davis’s free clinic. This experience sparked a newfound passion for medicine that would guide the course of his career.

As a physician, Raminder emphasizes the importance of empathy, especially with the complex cases he encounters at UC Davis Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center. 

“I always try to meet patients where they are, recognizing how frightening and overwhelming health care can be,” he said. 

His compassion extends to ensuring patients understand their medical options fully. 

“I never want to give false hope, but I also aim to find that balance between being honest and being supportive.” 

In his teaching, he reminds medical residents and students to recognize the emotional burden that health care providers can carry and the importance of addressing it.

Over the years, Raminder has witnessed the remarkable advances in medicine and technology, and he feels “grateful to work with a dedicated and innovative team at UC Davis Health.” The hospital’s commitment to equity and access to care aligns closely with his values, as he continually advocates for expanding health care resources to serve more patients. 

“Working at UC Davis Health has been a privilege. It’s a place where everyone collaborates, supports one another, and works toward providing the best possible care.”

Today, Raminder balances his professional life with a full family life. He and his wife, a dentist, are proud parents of two children following in their footsteps in health care. His daughter is preparing for the Medical College Admission Test, carrying forward her father’s and uncle’s legacies, while his son pursues dentistry. Reflecting on his journey, Raminder said, “I remind my children to pursue their dreams wholeheartedly, as my brother did, and I’m grateful every day to be able to serve my patients and honor his memory.”

Raminder Gill’s journey is a testament to the resilience and compassion at the heart of exceptional health care, and he hopes sharing his experience will encourage others to bring their best selves to work each day. 

His story, and other examples of employees making a difference for patients, can be found among UC Davis Health’s “Believe in Better” moments.