George P. Pettit, M.D. was born at Mercy Hospital in Portsmouth, Ohio. He grew up in Piketon, Ohio, where his father was a teacher. He graduated as valedictorian of his class at Piketon High School. While in school, he participated in the high school band, was accompanist for the high school chorus, and was voted most outstanding student.

He attended The Ohio State University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

In medical school, he was elected president of his senior class. He was selected for Alpha Epsilon Delta, the Medical Honor Society. He received the Surgery Award, the Medicine Award, the Otolaryngology Award, the Psychiatry Award and the Pediatric Award given to the top students in each of these fields. He received the William J. Means Award, given to the graduating senior for all-around achievement in medical school.

He completed a rotating internship at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. He then served as Brigade Surgeon for the First Basic Training Brigade and as a General Medical Officer at Ft. Lewis, Washington. He was selected for Residency Training in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was selected as most outstanding resident physician. He took post-graduate training at the Mayo Clinic. He then was assigned as Chief of Ob-Gyn at the U.S. Army Hospital, West Point, New York. While there he also served as Director of Emergency Medical Services. He received the Army Commendation Medal and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel prior to returning to Portsmouth in 1976.

Since returning to Portsmouth, he has been active in the local community as well as the medical community. He has been Chief of Staff of Mercy Hospital, a member of the Southern Ohio Medical Center Board of Trustees, a member of the Executive Committee of both Mercy and Scioto Memorial Hospitals, Chief of the Department of Ob-Gyn at SOMC, and Chairman of the Surgical Case Review and Mortality Committee for many years. He was West Point Liaison Officer for Southern Ohio for many years and was promoted to Colonel in the Army Reserve. He has been president of the Scioto County Medical Society and a member of the board of this organization.

He is on the Clinical Faculty of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, The University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, The Wright State University College of Medicine, The Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine as well as Director of the Portsmouth Site for the Ohio University Ob-Gyn Residency Program. He is also a professor at Marshall University School of Nursing and received the Distinguished Teacher Award from its Nursing Honor Society.

He is a frequent speaker at the American College of Ob-Gyn Annual Meeting. He is a member of the Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces.

His hobbies include oldies music, family activities, travel, horseback riding, flying with his son David, and caring for his Corvette. He recently returned from a mission trip to the Philippines.