Sincerely,
Resident Spotlight
Rija Chaudhary, MD
Birth place: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Fun fact: I was a Bollywood dance teacher 💃🏽 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 residency—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
Aerial view of SGMC in Valdosta, GASGMC 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
2025 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, MDSGMC 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
Matthew 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
Patrick Joseph, MD
Recent Wins
SGMC Health Receives Statewide Awards for Patient Safety
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
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
Episode #5 - Joseph Hayes, MD
Culturosity
Ghana 🇬🇭 vs Nigeria 🇳🇬: A Feast Of Two Nations
Traditional Ghanaian and Nigerian dishesIn 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
Dr. Rahman sporting his SGMC weekender bag. Happy Doctors Day!👨🏽⚕️👩🏻⚕️👩🏽⚕️🩺
Upcoming Events
- May 31st, 2025 - Graduation
- Apr 26th, 2025 - Walk with a doc
- Mar 31, 2025 - Retired Physicians' Breakfast (9 - 10:30 am)
- Mar 21, 2025 - Match Day
Birthdays
No birthdays this month 😞
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 MoreValdosta Wake Compound
Open seasonally
Experience wakeboarding and other water sports at this state-of-the-art facility.
Learn MoreSouth Georgia Military Aviation Museum
Open Tuesday-Saturday
Explore aviation history with vintage aircraft and memorabilia.
Learn MoreGrand Bay Wildlife Management Area
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Hike, bird watch, and enjoy nature in this diverse ecosystem.
Learn MoreValdosta State University Fine Arts Gallery
Check website for current exhibitions
View rotating exhibitions of contemporary art by regional and national artists.
Learn More
News From The Clinic
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 Florida—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
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 fine—it's essential.