South Georgia Medical Center is pleased to announce its second class of residency physicians will soon be joining the health system. On June 26, SGMC will add eight more doctors specializing in Internal Medicine as a part of its residency program. 

In partnership with Mercer University School of Medicine, SGMC launched the program with approval from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in 2021. SGMC welcomed its first class of eight physicians in July of 2022; these doctors will now move into Post Graduate Year 2 (PGY2) of their journey. 

SGMC received more than 1,800 applications for the program and conducted 102 interviews. Match Day, as it is known in the medical community, occurred on March 17, when soon-to-be physicians learned which hospital they will be training with. Eight medical school graduates ultimately matched with SGMC and will begin their three-year residency training in South Georgia. 

"Educating the next generation of physicians is a responsibility that our team does not take lightly. We are thrilled and humbled to be able to have such a powerful impact on the future of medical care for our area," said Dr. Gregory Beale, SGMC Residency Program Director.  

Residents are doctors who have completed medical school, have earned a degree such as M.D. or D.O., and practice under the direct supervision of an “attending” or senior physician. Physicians complete residencies so that they can specialize and become board-certified or board eligible in a particular field. 

Research shows that medical residents tend to stay close to their training site to work after they graduate. The residency program is intended to enhance recruitment and retention efforts at SGMC.  

“SGMC's expert faculty provides residents an educational foundation focused on evidence-based medicine. Our doctors are committed to their success and look forward to seeing them excel in their medical careers,” shared Dr. Leslie Lamptey, Internal Medicine Associate Program Director.  

Outside of the hospital, the Internal Medicine Residency Program operates a continuity clinic at SGMC Internal Medicine on Park Avenue in Valdosta under the direction of Dr. Joseph Hayes, Medical Director. This allows residents the opportunity to learn how to manage both common and complicated outpatient conditions and to follow patients over time.   

SGMC's 2023-2024 Class of Internal Medicine Residents includes: 

·  Anna Ledford, MD 

·  Taylor Martin, DO 

·  James McSweeney, MD 

·  Justin Owens, DO 

·  Vivekanda Pingali, MD 

·  Hala Sharma, MD 

·  AmandaNell Shook-Chacon, MD 

·  Mariya Tom, MD  

For more information, visit sgmc.org/gme.