SGMC Health is celebrating Match Day 2026 with the arrival of 28 resident physicians, including the first matched class of Family Medicine residents, marking a major milestone in the continued growth of the health system’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) program. 

Now in its fifth year, SGMC Health’s GME program—developed in collaboration with Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM)—continues to expand its role in training the next generation of physicians while strengthening access to care across South Georgia. With residency programs in Internal Medicine, Transitional Year, and Family Medicine, SGMC Health remains the region’s largest academic medical center. 

The training program continues to attract significant interest among applicants. SGMC Health received more than 2,600 applications for its 28 residency positions. GME leadership conducted a highly selective review process, including more than 400 interviews, to identify candidates who demonstrate strong clinical potential and a commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. 

“Match Day 2026 reflects the strength, growth, and long-term commitment of our Graduate Medical Education program,” said Pankaj Agrawal, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at SGMC Health. “Achieving a 100% match rate for our Internal Medicine and Family Medicine programs speaks to the dedication of our medical staff, faculty, and graduate medical education team. Welcoming our first class of Family Medicine residents is a pivotal step in building a sustainable physician workforce focused on comprehensive, community-based care for our region.” 

The Family Medicine residency program is led by Program Director Madison Hill, DO, in conjunction with Associate Program Directors Dr. Agrawal and Erin Parker, DO. It is designed to prepare physicians to deliver full-spectrum primary care, to include OBGYN and pediatrics, across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. The program further supports SGMC Health’s goal to improve access to high-quality care, particularly in rural and underserved communities. 

In addition to Family Medicine, SGMC Health will welcome new resident physicians through Match Day in its Internal Medicine and Transitional Year programs. These programs provide rigorous clinical training across a wide range of specialties, equipping residents with the skills needed to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the region. 

As a clinical campus of Mercer University School of Medicine, SGMC Health plays a key role in educating third- and fourth-year medical students while strengthening a regional pipeline of future physicians. For Match Day 2026, Mercer University School of Medicine students at the Valdosta campus achieved a 100% Match Rate, with all 14 students securing residency positions across the nation in specialties including Thoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Emergency Medicine. These outcomes reflect the strength of the academic partnership and reinforce SGMC Health’s commitment to training physicians who are prepared to serve communities across South Georgia and beyond. 

The continued expansion of SGMC Health’s GME program reflects a long-term investment in physician education, workforce development, and improved access to care—ensuring patients across the region benefit from highly trained medical professionals close to home. 

For more information about SGMC Health’s Graduate Medical Education programs, visit sgmc.org. 

SGMC Health’s incoming class of residents includes:  

Internal Medicine

• Ndiya Emeaba, MD
• John Erhabor, MD
• Obeng Fordjour, MD
• Haley Garrett, DO
• Roberto Ortiz, DO
• Jay Patel, DO
• Priyank Patel, MD
• Karamvir Randhawa, MD
• Paul Reese, MD
• Nick Taylor, MD

• Mashaal Bakhtiar, MD
• Alexander Cohen, DO
• Rohail Jameel, MD
• Teighlor Livingston, DO
• Umesh Mudireddy, MD
• Cynthia Okoro, MD
• Ramesh Rommel, MD
• Nida Sayeed, MD

• Adebola Afolayan, MD
• Musa Ayyad, MD
• Mirza Baig, MD
• Katherine Bannykh, MD
• Jennifer Damolekun, MD
• Xianzhen Deng, DO
• Brendan Mahoney, MD
• Indu Meena, MD
• Umar Shaikh, MD
• Andrea Viruet Pantoja, MD