SGMC Health is welcoming four Family Medicine resident physicians who will join the health system as current postgraduate year‑one (PGY‑1) residents, finishing out their intern year and completing their second and third years of residency training in Valdosta.

The incoming residents — Alexander Gardner, DO; Omid Hassanpour, MD; Varoon Kakiaya, MD; and Akshay Patel, DO — will continue their medical training at SGMC Health after transferring from another program in Georgia, laying a strong foundation for the start of the health system's new Family Medicine residency program.

“This opportunity reflects the strength of SGMC Health’s Graduate Medical Education program and our commitment to supporting physicians in training,” said Pankaj Agrawal, MD, Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer. “We are very excited to welcome these 4 residents to our program and reinforce our goal to grow the physician pipeline and expand access to care for rural and underserved communities across South Georgia.”

Family Medicine is unique in that it provides comprehensive, continuous care for patients of all ages and serves as a cornerstone of primary care, including pediatrics and obstetric and gynecologic services. These services are in significant demand, particularly in rural communities, where physician shortages are most pronounced.

Madison Hill, DO, Family Medicine Program Director at SGMC Health, emphasized the importance of continuity and community‑based training. “Family Medicine plays a critical role in improving access to care across the lifespan,” said Dr. Hill. “We are pleased to provide these residents with a stable, supportive training environment where they can continue their education while serving the needs of our region.”

SGMC Health’s Graduate Medical Education program continues to grow, with residency programs in Internal Medicine, Transitional Year, and Family Medicine, developed in partnership with Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) to address regional workforce needs and improve access to care in South Georgia. SGMC Health also serves as a clinical campus of MUSM, welcoming third and fourth-year medical students to train in Valdosta. In addition to these four incoming residents, SGMC Health will welcome its next class of residents this July through Match Day in each of its three programs.

The addition of these resident physicians highlights SGMC Health’s unique position as the region’s largest academic medical center and its ability to respond to evolving training needs while maintaining a strong focus on education, access, and community impact.

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