Internal Medicine Residency Program Welcomes New Residents

The Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership and St. Mary’s Health Care System welcomed 12 new physician residents to the Internal Medicine Residency Program (IMRP) on July 1.

The IMRP is accredited to host up to 37 residents. They provide supervised inpatient care at St. Mary’s Hospital on Baxter Street and outpatient care at Community Internal Medicine of Athens on Oglethorpe Avenue. In addition, third-year residents spend two months in a rural healthcare setting by providing inpatient care at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro.

The IMRP Class of 2026 and the schools at which they completed their medical education are:

•           JonHenry Allen, DO – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

•           Andrew Clermont, MD – Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

•           Thomas Diamond, MD – St. George’s University

•           Carla Erb, DO – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

•           Marina Mina, MD – Ross University School of Medicine

•           Jalees Naseer, MD – Ross University School of Medicine

•           Hevinkumar Patel, DO – Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn Campus

•           Crystal Rivera Perez, MD – Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine

•           Christopher Schrock, DO – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

•           Nadia Tamia, MD – Ross University School of Medicine

•           Maryam Tarar, DO – West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

In addition, the program matched a preliminary year intern, Nolan Mattingly, MD. He earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine.

This year’s chief residents are Drs. Vance Barksdale and Krishna Shah. Chief residents act as liaisons between faculty members and residents, serve as mentors, help design and create educational activities, and provide patient care.

“We are thrilled to have this new group of physicians join our residency program. Their backgrounds, achievements, and training will be an asset to our program and community for years to come,” said Dr. Lela Ward, the IMRP director.

The program is also celebrating the outgoing Class of 2023. Of the 10 residents from the class, eight are remaining in the South—four are remaining in Georgia, and four are practicing in surrounding states. Last year’s co-chief resident, Dr. Rob Seminara, is also remaining in Athens as a primary care physician with St. Mary’s Medical Group.

“This is tremendous that four of our residents along with Dr. Seminara are staying in Georgia as we continue to combat the physician shortage,” said Dr. Michelle Nuss, campus dean of the Medical Partnership.