Welcome ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ to the Azalea Report - the digital newsletter of South Georgia Health's Internal Medicine Residency program in Valdosta, Georgia. Named after our city's beloved azaleas, this resident-led publication aims to showcase our program's achievements, spotlight outstanding residents, and share updates from our residency program. We look forward to bringing you stories of excellence in medical education from the Azalea City.

Sincerely,
The Azalea Report team

Resident Spotlight

Rija Chaudhary, MD

Rija Chaudhary, MD

Birth place: Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Fun fact: I was a Bollywood dance teacher ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿฝ once upon a time

Favorite dish: Biryani

Interests: Yoga, trying new desserts, being chronically online

Post-residency plans: Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine

Advice to the incoming class: 'Humility is fundamental to your growth during residencyโ€”embrace every opportunity to learn with an open mind. It will not only make you a more knowledgeable physician but also a more empathetic and collaborative one.'

About the Program

SGMC BuildingAerial view of SGMC in Valdosta, GA

SGMC Health's Internal Medicine Residency Program, in partnership with Mercer University School of Medicine, combines academic excellence with hands-on experience, leveraging SGMC Health's highly capable healthcare delivery system to meet the primary care and healthcare needs of rural and medically underserved areas of Georgia.

Interesting Facts

  • Number of current residents: 24
  • Our diversity: Residents from 10 different countries
  • Number of languages: We speak 12 different languages
  • Partnership: SGMC's internal medicine residency program is a partnership with Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM)
  • Continuity clinic: The program operates a continuity clinic at SGMC Internal Medicine on Park Avenue in Valdosta. This clinic allows residents to learn how to manage outpatient conditions and follow patients over time.

GME Corner

SGMC Health GME Announces New Chief Residents for The Internal Medicine Residency Program

By: SGMC Health GME (posted originally on December 30th, 2024)
GME Corner2025 Chief Residents Mariya Tom, MD, and Brandon Rockwell, MD; GME Leadership Greg Beale, MD, and Leslie Lamptey, MD; Past Chief Residents Monica Kovuri, MD, and Venkata Gandi, MD

SGMC Health's Graduate Medical Education (GME) program proudly announces the appointment of Brandon Rockwell, MD, and Mariya Tom, MD, as the new Chief Residents for the Internal Medicine Residency Program for 2025. These exemplary physicians were selected by their peers and approved by faculty and staff for their outstanding leadership skills, moral integrity, and clinical expertise.

The role of Chief Resident represents a prestigious milestone in medical education, providing an opportunity to develop and refine clinical, teaching, and administrative skills. During their one-year term, Dr. Rockwell and Dr. Tom will serve as...

Faculty Update

SGMC Health Welcomes Matthew Varn, MD, to the Internal Medicine Residency Program Faculty

Faculty UpdateMatthew Varn, MD, (Internal Medicine Residency Core Faculty)

SGMC Health welcomes Matthew Varn, MD, to its Graduate Medical Education Internal Medicine Residency program as teaching faculty. A board-certified internal medicine physician with deep local roots, Dr. Varn was born at SGMC Health and raised in Valdosta.

Having provided outpatient and inpatient care in the community for the past four years, Dr. Varn brings valuable experience to his new role. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Valdosta State University and medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine before completing his internal medicine residency at Mercer University's Navicent Health program in Macon, where...

The Intern's Corner

Rabail Shaikh, MD

Rabail Shaikh, MD

Inspired by her father's work in medicine, Dr. Shaikh developed a passion for solving complex cases and helping patients heal. She enjoys the challenge of creating comprehensive treatment plans and seeing patients respond positively. She finds it a truly rewarding experience. ๐Ÿ’™ Dr. Shaikh plans to become a hospitalist, drawn to the fast-paced, dynamic nature of internal medicine. She loves the variety of cases and the excitement of managing...
Patrick Joseph, MD

Patrick Joseph, MD

Dr. Joseph's journey into medicine was shaped by his early experiences witnessing the impact of healthcare disparities in his community. These moments fueled his commitment to making a difference through compassionate and skillful care. Every patient interaction reaffirms his passion for medicine and dedication to improving lives. ๐Ÿฉบ With aspirations to specialize in interventional cardiology, Dr. Joseph is excited about advancing his skills in a...

Recent Wins

SGMC Health Receives Statewide Awards for Patient Safety

By: SGMC Health
Patient Safety Award Discharge Antibiotics Optimization for Urinary Tract Infections for Emergency Room Patients: Bailey Boyd, BS; Hala Sharma, MD; Ironica Pye, MBA; Rosaida Silverio Lopez, MD; Luke Saunders, PharmD; Mariya Tom, MD; James McSweeney, MD. Not pictured: Leslie Lamptey, MD

SGMC Health earned recognition at the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) Patient Safety Summit, receiving second and third place Josh Nahum Awards for their Infection...

House Staff Diaries

Musings Of A Resident

By: Hala Sharma, MD PGY-2
musings-image

Amidst the hustle and bustle of residency, never-ending labs, vitals, nursing requests, seminars, and lengthy note-writing, the bigger picture may become obscured. The why can fall to the wayside while working through the details and minutiae. My most important realization during my intern year while learning what to do was remembering why I was doing it. I wanted to learn and become more efficient and interpreting labs, remembering medications, and improving my presentations during rounds. Yet, some moments would ground and swing me back to reality.

I would walk into the room of my patient and see the scared, confused pained...

Podcasts

What Brings You In Today? - Featured Podcasts

A Podcast from SGMC Health

Episode #5 - Joseph Hayes, MD

This episode of the podcast features Dr. Hayes, Medical Director at SGMC Internal Medicine and Assistant Professor at Mercer Medical School. From chief resident to program architect, he now leads South Georgia's newest medical residency program, training the next generation of physicians.

Culturosity

Ghana ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญ vs Nigeria ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ: A Feast Of Two Nations

By: Samuel Edusa, MD
CulturosityTraditional Ghanaian and Nigerian dishes

In the basement classrooms of SGMC Health, an extraordinary cultural exchange unfolded as medical residents gathered for "Culturosity: Ghana vs. Nigeria," transforming a typical lunch hour into a vibrant celebration of West African heritage. The event, far from being a competition as its playful title might suggest, showcased the rich culinary traditions that bind these two influential African nations.

The spread was a visual and aromatic testament to the depth of both cultures' cuisines. Traditional Ghanaian and Nigerian dishes filled the serving tables, from aromatic jollof rice displaying its characteristic orange-red hue to...

Through the Lens: Residency Highlights

Capturing the Smiles, Milestones, and Unforgettable Moments

Upcoming Events

  • Mar 21, 2025 - Match Day
  • Mar 15, 2025 - Drs. Megan & Daryoosh's Baby Shower
  • Deb 27, 2025 - Grand Rounds: Drs. Gandi and Mohan

Birthdays

No birthdays this month ๐Ÿ˜ž

Things To Do In Valdosta

  • Wild Adventures Theme Park

    Open year-round

    Enjoy thrilling rides, exotic animals, and live entertainment at this popular theme park.

    Learn More
  • Valdosta Wake Compound

    Open seasonally

    Experience wakeboarding and other water sports at this state-of-the-art facility.

    Learn More
  • South Georgia Military Aviation Museum

    Open Tuesday-Saturday

    Explore aviation history with vintage aircraft and memorabilia.

    Learn More
  • Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area

    Open daily, sunrise to sunset

    Hike, bird watch, and enjoy nature in this diverse ecosystem.

    Learn More
  • Valdosta State University Fine Arts Gallery

    Check website for current exhibitions

    View rotating exhibitions of contemporary art by regional and national artists.

    Learn More
Spotlight

News From The Clinic

Annette Robinson

Annette Robinson

Family Nurse Practitioner (APRN-BC, FNP-BC)

Employee Spotlight

Meet Annette Robinson, APRN-BC, FNP-BC, a dedicated healthcare provider who recently joined Internal Medicine Park from Health Care South. Her remarkable journey in healthcare began as a nurse's aide, steadily advancing through LPN, RN BSN, Master's degree, and Post-Master's in Family Nurse Practice and Midwifery. As the first college graduate among ten siblings raised by her maternal grandmother, Annette's determination led her through studies at Valdosta Technical School, Valdosta University, Albany State University, and the University of Floridaโ€”all while balancing full-time work and family responsibilities. Her perseverance and dedication to nursing have touched countless lives, including delivering over 1,400 newborns and assisting with C-sections throughout her career. With a deep passion for patient care rooted in her own life experiences, Annette brings exceptional empathy and expertise to women's health and primary care services. Her commitment to serving others and genuine care for her patients make her an invaluable addition to our team. When you visit Internal Medicine Park, you'll find Annette ready to provide compassionate, skilled care with the same determination that has defined her inspiring career.

Wellness Corner

Finding Humor in the Hard Days: A Reminder About Emotional Well-being

Emotional well-being

Those charming "Emotional Support" plushies you might have spotted scattered throughout our hospital corridors capture the often-unspoken reality of medical residency perfectly. These whimsical crochet creations, shaped like teacups with wisps of steam rising from their rims, hold a telling message: "It's fine, I'm fine. Everything is fine!"

While these delightful companions make us smile, they also open an important dialogue about how we, as healthcare professionals, process stress and emotions. It's a gentle reminder that sometimes saying "I'm fine" three times doesn't make it true, and that's okay.

Remember: Our residency program offers confidential counseling services and peer support groups. Taking care of yourself isn't just fineโ€”it's essential.

ยฉ 2025 Azalea Report - SGMC Health Internal Medicine Residency Newsletter