Internal Medicine residents from SGMC Health recently participated in the second annual Regional Graduate Medical Education Conference. This event was a collaborative effort between SGMC Health in Valdosta, GA, Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville, GA, and Colquitt Medical Center in Moultrie, GA. 

At the conference, resident physicians pursuing specialties in internal medicine, family medicine, and psychiatry had the opportunity to showcase their scholarly work through research poster presentations. These posters highlighted the residents' engagement in academic inquiry and scientific exploration within their respective fields. 

Twelve Internal Medicine residents from SGMC Health presented on topics such as Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Masquerading as Scabies, Diagnosis of a Tumor Mimicking Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, A Rare Case of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis, and a dozen other examples. The team went on to win the medical Jeopardy contest as well, coming down to the final Jeopardy question about the biochemical mechanism behind the cause of a Jamaican gastrointestinal illness.  

"Examining novel treatment approaches for chronic diseases and analyzing abnormal clinical presentations of common conditions is a cornerstone of our medical education. Events like this help build a robust regional medical community committed to improving the lives of all we serve," said Joseph Hayes, MD, who leads graduate medical education and teaches residents in the Internal Medicine outpatient clinic on Park Avenue.   

Mariya Tom, MD, a first-year resident, discussed her research evaluating a case of disseminated cryptococcus. "Opportunities like this conference allow us to share our work with colleagues and mentors," she said. "The feedback helps to strengthen our clinical and research skills." 

Gregory Beale, MD, Internal Medicine Residency Program Director, along with his Associate Program Director Leslie Lamptey, MD, delivered a podium presentation on The Science of Gratitude. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to showcase our scholarly activity, and this will lead to further collaboration between our three regional entities," Dr. Beale explained. 

Lilliana Johnson, Director of Graduate Medical Education, was instrumental in organizing the event. "This conference not only showcased our residents' work but also provided a forum for educational faculty from all the three institutions to exchange best practices," she stated.   

SGMC Health became an academic teaching facility in 2022 with the start of an Internal Medicine Residency Program, with the third class of resident physicians arriving next month, for a total of 24 physician trainees. An additional Transitional Year residency program, led by Megan Gallagher, DO, begins in July 2025 with a class size of 10. In addition, SGMC Health will host Mercer University School of Medicine's Valdosta campus starting in July 2024, with 20 medical students for their 3rd and 4th year of medical school training. 

To learn more, visit sgmc.org.