AZALEA REPORT

The Chiefs' Corner

Mariya Tom, MD

Meet our Chief Resident, Dr. Mariya Tom, who brings the heart of Atlanta and a dancer's grace to our program. Her journey into medicine began with family—uncles and aunties whose tireless work in healthcare shaped her understanding of what it truly means to be a physician. Their stories of patient care and the fulfillment found in saving lives became the foundation of her medical calling. A trained professional Indian classical dancer with a...
Show More

Brandon Rockwell, MD

Meet Dr. Brandon Rockwell, our Chief Resident from Warner Robins, Georgia, who discovered his calling at the intersection of his fascination with the natural world and desire to help others thrive. Internal medicine represents the perfect convergence of intellectual curiosity and meaningful human connection, allowing him to channel his analytical nature into creating positive change in patients' lives. An avid sports enthusiast, Dr. Rockwell...
Show More

Rounds To Vows

Two Ceremonies, One Community Celebration

Left: Dr. Brandon Rockwell and his wife Kara Hope Hanson. Right: Dr. Sandhya Lakkireddy and her husband Dr. Vinod Solipuram.

This past month brought double the joy as we celebrated two beautiful weddings within our residency family! Dr. Brandon Rockwell and his lovely bride Kara Hope Hanson tied the knot in an elegant celebration stateside, while Dr. Sandyia Lakkireddy's traditional Indian wedding brought vibrant color and rich cultural traditions to life across the globe in India.

From classic Western elegance to stunning South Asian ceremonies complete with intricate garlands and golden décor, these celebrations remind us that love transcends borders and brings people together in the most beautiful ways. Both couples radiated pure happiness on their special days, surrounded by friends, family, and the promise of bright futures ahead.

Congratulations to both couples! We're thrilled to see our residents beginning this exciting new chapter of their lives. Here's to love, partnership, and many years of happiness! 🥂

Intern Spotlight

Genesis Muñoz, MD

Straight outta Miami, Dr. Muñoz is equal parts beach girl and budding artist — recently bitten by the pottery bug and fully committed to mastering the wheel. 🏺 Her game plan for the year ahead? Keep it real: survive intern year! But if the white coat life hadn't chosen her, she'd be out in the field as an anthropologist, diving deep into different cultures and probably living her best Indiana Jones-adjacent life. 🗺️ When the shift finally ends,...
Show More

Jay Patel, DO

A small-town Georgia kid at heart (Clayton, population: tiny), Dr. Patel was technically born in Dothan, Alabama before his family settled in the Northeast Georgia mountains when he was just one. Fast forward to residency, and he's become a self-taught chef out of pure necessity and passion. When you're a serious foodie, mediocre meals just won't cut it. 🍳👨‍🍳 Right now he's laser-focused on matching into Anesthesiology, with the ultimate goal...
Show More

GME Corner

Third Annual South Georgia Regional GME Conference

By: SGMC Health (posted originally on September 16th, 2025)

Members of SGMC Health’s Residency Programs at the 3rd Annual South Georgia Regional GME Conference

SGMC Health hosted its 3rd Annual South Georgia Regional GME Conference on September 13, bringing together resident physicians and medical educators from five regional programs across Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, and Transitional Year specialties.

The conference featured a keynote by Will Kemp, Chairman of the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workers, on innovation in medical education, followed by twelve physician-led lectures on topics including AI in medicine, infectious disease, and mentorship.

Highlights included 39 research poster presentations. Dr. Sarah Sabol (SGMC Health) won 1st place for her poster on metabolic pseudolocked-in syndrome, with runners-up including Dr. Asma Yasin (SGMC Health) for "Malignant Cardiac Tamponade as a Complication of Primary Lung Adenocarcinoma." 👏🏽 Congratulations to everyone who participated! 🎉🎉

Conference Highlights

‹

›

House Staff Diaries

Finding Your Footing - A Message to Our Interns

By: Samuel Edusa, MD PGY-2

Welcome to the beginning of an extraordinary journey. As you start your year, remember that every expert was once a beginner, and every mentor around you was once exactly where you are today.

Learning to Walk Before You Run

Medicine is not a sprint—it's learning to walk before you run. Right now, everything feels overwhelming. Epic seems impossible, lab values blur together, and the responsibility feels immense. This is not just normal; it's necessary. Every uncertain moment, every question you're afraid to ask—these aren't signs of inadequacy. They're the building blocks of the physician...

Show More

Podcasts

What Brings You In Today? - Featured Podcasts

Culturosity

Ghana 🇬🇭 vs Nigeria 🇳🇬: A Feast Of Two Nations

By: Samuel Edusa, MD

Traditional 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...

Show More

Through the Lens: Residency Highlights

Capturing the Smiles, Milestones, and Unforgettable Moments

‹

›

Graduation pose

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

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.