Internal Medicine | Spalding Regional Hospital – Wellstar Graduate Medical Education Residency

Internal Medicine

The aim of our program is to produce compassionate well-trained internal medicine clinicians in a residency program that models ethical and professional behavior through mentorship and collaboration within the healthcare environment, and provide opportunities for our residents to become leaders.

Preparing Future Physicians
to Face Challenges in Medicine

Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital is delighted to welcome you by accepting applications for the residency match 2022 through ERAS. The mission of this program is to train future physicians to serve in the community and enable them to face challenges in the field of medicine in accordance with ACGME core competencies. We will be accepting J-1 visas sponsored by ECFMG. The primary training site is Spalding Regional Hospital located south of Atlanta, Georgia.

As a Wellstar Spalding internal medicine resident, you’ll receive the support and guidance you need to deliver compassionate, high-quality care as you progress towards the goal of independent practice. Guided by experts who are leaders in medicine, you can achieve your full potential and prepare for a successful future.

PGY-1

PGY-2

PGY-3

PGY-1

PGY-2

PGY-3

Curriculum

Inpatient Medicine

Wellstar Spalding Internal Medicine inpatient rotations primarily occur at Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital. Residents will train under close supervision by highly-trained faculty members. They will learn bedside management and how to apply evidence-based, and value-driven patient care. Intensive care rotation will occur in the Critical Care Unit. This will provide a unique opportunity to get trained in managing critically ill patients and ample opportunity to learn invasive procedures under the supervision of critical care physicians. Attendings will round bedside in the morning and will always be available to coordinate patient care.

Ambulatory Medicine

The Griffin community has a great mix of patient index and variety of diseases that will provide ample opportunity to develop clinical skills in an ambulatory setting. Approximately 45% of the 3-year training will occur in an ambulatory clinic. Internal medicine continuity clinics at Wellstar GME located in Griffin, Georgia under close supervision by clinic faculty. In addition to required Internal Medicine subspecialty rotations, other available outpatient electives include Ob/Gyn, ENT, Ophthalmology, Sleep Medicine, Dermatology and Allergy.

Core Internal Medicine Subspecialty Rotations: Below are mandatory Internal Medicine Subspecialty Rotations throughout three years of training.

Cardiology
Rheumatology
Nephrology
Gastroenterology
Pulmonology
Hematology/Oncology
Endocrine
Infectious Disease

Didactics and High-Value Care Curriculum

Promoting value-driven and evidence-based patient care is one of the biggest challenges in even today’s medicine. We believe physician’s practice habits during their training that will stick with them throughout their career. We conduct several interactive didactic sessions as part of the high-value care curriculum aligning with ACP and AAIM. In addition, other didactic sessions include morning reports, Journals Club, Case of the Month, Morbidity and Mortality conferences, board review and medical jeopardy sessions will occur periodically. We aim to design these sessions to be interactive and innovative.

Quality Improvement and research

We strongly encourage residents to actively engage in quality improvement initiates and committees. The program requires residents to participate in one quality improvement project and/or one research project for each PGY level. We support and encourage residents to attend local and national conferences. Wellstar Health System has several resources to use, library support for literature review and scholarly activities.

Wellness

We understand residency training can be challenging and stressful. We create faculty mentorships to provide support for incoming residents to assist and guide them throughout the training towards their career goals. The program director closely works with residents and their mentors to ensure resident wellbeing. Wellstar has taken several wellness initiatives and made resources available to residents and staff.

Leadership & House Staff

Ashok Kanugula, MD

MPH, FACP, CHCQM

Program Director

Cyril Anara, MD

Associate Program DIrector

Inpatient Services

Monica Payton-Williams

Program Coordinator

Brandi Allen, DHA

Assistant Vice President GME & UME

Bipin Adhikari, MD

PGY-1

Gullas College of Medicine, University of the Visayas

Ensaf Alhujaily, MD

PGY-1

Poznan University of Medical Sciences Center for Medical Education In English

Vishwanath Anil, MD

PGY-1

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Medical College

Khwaja Haq, MD

PGY-1

Ziauddin Medical College

Komal Harisinghani, MD

PGY-1

Saint James School of Medicine Anguilla

Muhammad Irfan, MD

PGY-1

Khyber Medical College

Nageshwar Kothur, MD

PGY-1

Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences

Arian Mizani MD

PGY-1

St. George’s University School of Medicine

Derek Agude, MD

PGY-1

Medical University of the Americas (Nevis)

Teresa Varghese, MD

PGY-1

Kasturba Medical College Manipal

Applicant Information and Eligibility Criteria

Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital Internal Medicine residency program requires applications submitted through Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). All required documents must be submitted through ERAS only. All categorical internal medicine residency positions will be filled through National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

Applicants must be graduates from medical schools in the United States or Canada, accredited by The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
Graduates from a medical School outside of the United States or Canada must hold valid certification from the ECFMG prior to appointment OR must hold Full or Unrestricted License to practice medicine in United States licensing jurisdiction in which this ACGME accredited program is located
Medical school graduation within five years preferred
Must have passing score in USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK (international medical graduates must hold valid ECFMG certificate prior to starting residency)
U.S. clinical experience required for international medical graduates

ERAS Application consists of:

Personal Statement
Curriculum Vitae
MSPE or Deans Letter or Equivalent
Medical School Transcript
USMLE Transcript
Three Letters of Recommendation

International Graduates:

Must be certified by ECFMG
J-1 Visa (if applicable, we sponsor J-1 visa through ECFMG)

Internal Medicine

The mission of our program is to produce compassionate well-trained internal medicine clinicians in a residency program that models ethical and professional behavior through mentorship and collaboration within the healthcare environment, and provide opportunities for our residents to become leaders.

Wellstar Cobb Hospital

In November 2022, our program relocated to our new home at Wellstar Cobb Hospital (WCH). WCH is a 387-bed hospital in the Wellstar Health System located about 20 miles from downtown Atlanta that offers advanced comprehensive care to the people of South Cobb County. Wellstar Cobb’s cutting-edge technology and access to a comprehensive set of specialties and subspecialties will allow for a robust medical education experience for our residents. A Healthgrades 2020 Distinguished Hospital Award Recipient, WCH provides approximately 100k total inpatient days, 280k outpatient visits, and 110k emergency room visits annually.

As a major tertiary hospital, WCH was ideally positioned to serve as our new primary training location and deliver an exceptional clinical training environment. The facilities at WCH are contemporary and spacious and provide an outstanding environment with excellent amenities for the internal medicine residents, faculty, and staff. Residents gain experience providing care for a diverse patient population from a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds. WCH and its many surrounding clinics provide amplified opportunities for our residency ambulatory educational experience.

Compassionate, academic, comprehensive, collaborative

As a community program with a strong academic focus, we have a consistent record of excellence in scholarly activity and have maintained a solid track record of graduating residents able to effectively compete for sub-specialty fellowship opportunities and employment opportunities as hospitalists. Wellstar’s collaboration with Medical College of Georgia further enhances our mission as an academic teaching institution.

Scholastic Achievement

Our residents have consistently achieved outstanding participation in major Internal Medicine and subspecialty meetings with abstract and poster acceptances. We are extremely proud or our graduates’ success in gaining acceptances within competitive fellowship programs and their subsequent faculty teaching appointments.

Resident Diversity

We believe that in diversity there is great strength. Our program provides a wonderful milieu in which our trainees can thrive alongside residents, faculty and patients from diverse countries, cultures and religions.

Well-Being Redefined

Deliberate attention to each resident’s well-being can greater impact the residency experience. We take pride in a residency curriculum which aims to ensure ample time for self-reflection, self-care, and family/friend support. Our sponsoring institution, Wellstar Health System, offers unparalleled wellness benefits for each of its residents including a curated wellness curriculum, access to a personal wellness consultant and low-cost health club memberships.

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Curriculum

PGY-1

PGY-2/PGY-3

PGY-1

PGY-2/PGY-3

The program includes a syllabus of prescribed learning experiences, accomplished in a variety of teaching settings. Formal conferences are provided daily to all residents in addition to informal didactic teaching by individual teaching faculty. Core curriculum lectures are complemented by Noon Report, Journal Club, Grand Rounds, Case of the Week, M&M Conference, and a robust Board Review lecture series. Additionally, program training requirements in Patient Safety and Quality Improvement provide our residents with additional critical skills. These diverse opportunities for learning ensure the residents’ mastery of the knowledge and skills required to practice general Internal Medicine or pursue subspecialty training.

Continuity Clinic

Throughout their three years of training, residents maintain a continuity clinic at the Austell GME Clinic one-half day per week where they care for a panel of patients with a wide variety of medical problems. The small faculty-to-resident ratio within the clinic optimizes resident learning opportunities in outpatient medicine. Residents are able to follow their own patients from the ambulatory to the inpatient setting and thus gain invaluable experience in longitudinal care. Preventive medicine is stressed, and residents provide routine gynecologic care to their female patients. Each resident receives quarterly feedback regarding certain important quality metrics relating to their patient panels including those related to patient experience.

Scholarship & Research

Residents are strongly encouraged to participate in scholarly activities that lead to publication and/or presentations at regional and national scientific meetings. In recent years, residents have been active participants in meetings of the American College of Physicians (ACP), The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), American College of Rheumatology (ACR), Digestive Disease Week (DDW) and the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), receiving awards for podium and poster presentations. Resident participation in such activities has strong institutional support from WellStar Cobb Medical Center. Additionally, all senior residents are required to engage in a research or quality improvement project which is presented yearly on Research Day. Each resident receives support from the Wellstar Research Institute (WRI) as well as a Director of Research who co-chairs the Academic Review Committee (ARC) which vets all research projects. Residents are able to take up to two (2) Research electives during their training.

Positioned for Fellowship

We are committed to providing an environment in which our residents are supported in their quest for fellowship positions should they pursue this career direction. We are extremely proud of our graduates’ fellowship placements, which include many subspecialties and top-tier academic institutions. Those entering fellowship consistently report back to us that they have felt exceptionally well prepared for the challenges inherent in these post-graduate positions.

Leadership & House Staff

Miriam Parker, MD

Program Director

Thomas Lall, MD

Associate Program Director

Christina Noble, MHA

Residency Coordinator

Seham Al-Haddad, MD

Core Faculty

Claudia Fotzeu, MD

Core Faculty

Brian Pearlman, MD

Core Faculty

Israel Orija, MD

Core Faculty

Zandraetta Tims-Cook, MD

Core Faculty

Nomi Traub, MD

Core Faculty

Jerma Adams, MD

PGY-3

Ross University School of Medicine

Tariku Assen, MD

PGY-3

Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical

Monazza Azam, MD

PGY-3

Ross University School of Medicine

Lewam Berhe, MD

PGY-3

Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine

Hanna Hirpo, MD

PGY-3

Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical

Chelsae Keeney, MD

PGY-3

Ross University School of Medicine

Luis Nieto, MD

PGY-3

Universidad de Guayaquil Facultad de Ciencias Médicas

Sunny Sharma, MD

PGY-3

Ross University School of Medicine

Neima Surur, MD

PGY-3

Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences

Tamiru Tumdedo, MD

PGY-3

Mekelle University College of Health Sciences

Katerina Zakka, MD

PGY-3

American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine

Khalid Abdelgadir, MD

PGY-2

University of El Imam El Mahdi

Fabian Altamirano, MD

PGY-2

Universidad Internacional del Ecuador

Beza Assefa, MD

PGY-2

Addis Ababa University

Yihienew Bezabih, MD

PGY-2

Arsi University College of Health Sciences

Ghizlane Bouchrit, MD

PGY-2

Ross University School of Medicine

Felipe Contreras-Yametti, MD

PGY-2

Universidad Internacional del Ecuador

Adanech Gichamo, MD

PGY-2

Jimma University College of Publich Health and Medical Sciences

Jemila Hussein, MD

PGY-2

Jimma University College of Publich Health and Medical Sciences

Daniel Lee, MD

PGY-2

Medical College of Georgia

Dereje Legesse, MD

PGY-2

Addis Ababa University

Ahadu Admassie, MD

PGY-1

University of Gondar

Salma Alsedeeg, MD

PGY-1

University of Khartoum

Marshet Batu, MD

PGY-1

Addis Abba University College of Health Sciences School of Medicine

Misgana Bedane, MD

PGY-1

Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical Sciences

Alelegn Enyew, MD

PGY-1

Adama Science and Technology University

Samrawit Gebre, MD

PGY-1

Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences School of Medicine

Bruhalem Gichilla, MD

PGY-1

Addis Ababa University College of Health Sciences School of Medicine

Daniel Mejia Leiva, MD

PGY-1

University of Guayaquil Facility of Medical Sciences

Said Sadat, MD

PGY-1

Ross University School of Medicine

Mohammed Salih, MD

PGY-1

University of Alfashir

Applicant Information and Eligibility Criteria

Wellstar Cobb Hospital Internal Medicine residency program requires applications to be submitted through Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). All categorical internal medicine residency positions will be filled through National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

Applicants must be graduates from medical schools in the United States or Canada, accredited by The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
Graduates from medical school outside of the United States or Canada must hold a valid certification from the ECFMG prior to appointment
Medical school graduation within five years is preferred
Must have passing score in USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK
U.S. clinical experience required for international medical graduates

ERAS Application consists of:

Personal Statement
Curriculum Vitae
MSPE or Deans Letter or Equivalent
Medical School Transcript
USMLE Transcript
Three Letters of Recommendation

International Graduates:

Must be ECFMG-certified
J-1 Visa sponsorship offered

For additional program details including exam requirements and salaries, visit our FREIDA listing.

Internal Medicine

Welcome from the Program Director

Thank you for considering the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. We are proud of the educational environment we have created since our program began training its first residents in July 2016.

The mission of Graduate Medical Education at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is to create an exceptional and personalized training environment to develop the next generation of physicians to provide the highest quality of care for our community.

About Our Program

Rotations occur at Kennestone Regional Medical Center or in clinics in the Marietta (metro-Atlanta) area. Our residents train in a high-volume, diverse environment and gain experience with patients from a broad range of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Residents rotate through a variety of core medicine subspecialties, including:

Cardiology
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Hematology/Oncology

Infectious diseases
Nephrology
Pulmonology
Rheumatology

Primary Care Track

Educational Goals

Curriculum

Research in Residency

Primary Care Track

Educational Goals

Curriculum

Research in Residency

Ready to Be a Part of Our Exceptional Team?

Before applying, you must be registered to participate in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP); no program positions will be offered outside of the NRMP.

Once registered, you can submit your application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Leadership & House Staff

Jennifer Headrick, MD, FACP

Program Director

Zenobia Jones-Foster, MD, MPH, FACP

Associate Program Director

Inpatient Medicine

Sade Arinze, MD, MPH, FACP

Associate Program Director

Specialty Rotations and Scholarly Activity

Sena Choi, MD, MS

Associate Program Director

Ambulatory services and Primary Care Track

Maged N. Doss, MD

Core Faculty

Rachel Johnson, MD

Core Faculty

David R. Haburchak, MD

Core Faculty

Prasad Rao, MD

Core Faculty

Usha Anand, MD

Core Faculty

Ayesha Khanduri, DO

Chief Resident

PCOM

Blair Smith, MD

Chief Resident

St. George’s University School of Medicine

Alisa Chauhan, DO

PGY-3

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Tyesha Coleman, MD

PGY-3

Morehouse School of Medicine

Tai Do, MD

PGY-3

Indiana University School of Medicine

Lucas Hopkins, MD

PGY-3

St. George’s University School of Medicine

Rudiona Hoxhaj, DO

PGY-3

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jeffrey Jacob, MD

PGY-3

George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Cameron Kennelly, DO

PGY-3

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Rabia Khan, MD

PGY-3

Dow International Medical College

Julia Kim, MD

PGY-3

Mercer University School of Medicine

Gayatri Menon, DO

PGY-3

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Kayla Patel, MD

PGY-3

Mercer University School of Medicine

Parth Patel, DO

PGY-3

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Yasmin Rosshandler, DO

PGY-3

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Clay Rowe, DO

PGY-3

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Catlyn Thigpen, DO

PGY-3

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Whitney Thomas, MD

PGY-3

Universidad de Oriente Núcleo de Bolívar

Kirtan Amin, MD

PGY-3

Medical University of Lublin

Joseph Bush, MD

PGY-2

Mercer University School of Medicine

José Chaves, MD

PGY-2

University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville

Luqman Croal-Abrahams, MD

PGY-2

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Vivien Edi, MD

PGY-2

Oba Okundae Sijuade College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University

Esther Enohnyaket, MD

PGY-2

Washington University of Health and Sciences

Janice Lee, DO

PGY-2

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Olivia Melvin, MD

PGY-2

University of Alabama School of Medicine

Jiaqi Mi, MD

PGY-2

Medical College of Georgia

Javeria Naz, MD

PGY-2

Punjab Medical College

Vy Nguyen, MD

PGY-2

Mercer University School of Medicine

Emeka Nwoke, MD

PGY-2

Meharry Medical College School of Medicine

Ryan Parrish, MD

PGY-2

Mercer University School of Medicine

Sagar Patel, DO

PGY-2

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Kajal Patel, DO

PGY-2

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Parth Shah, DO

PGY-2

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jatayah Sheed, MD

PGY-2

Mercer University School of Medicine

Yonas Tamene, MD

PGY-2

Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine

Paloma Alvarez Cordoliani, MD

PGY-1

University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts

Rachel Check, DO

PGY-1

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Deepthi Gangaram, DO

PGY-1

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Zaina Gowani, MD

PGY-1

St. George’s University School of Medicine

Vandana Grover, MD

PGY-1

American University of Antigua College of Medicine

Jennifer Hamm, MD

PGY-1

Trinity School of Medicine

Vuk Lacmanovic, MD

PGY-1

Medical College of Georgia

Anahita Mahmoudabadi, MD

PGY-1

Medical College of Georgia

Sanil Modi, MD

PGY-1

American University of Antigua College of Medicine

Parth Patel, MD

PGY-1

Mercer University School of Medicine

Tusharkumar Patel, MD

PGY-1

Mercer University School of Medicine

Amanda Hammond, MD

PGY-1

Medical College of Georgia

Vedika Rajasekaran, MD

PGY-1

University of Queensland School of Medicine

Rizvi Nasser MD

PGY-1

Mercer University School of Medicine

Kirsten Schofield, MD

PGY-1

Morehouse School of Medicine

Samah Syed, DO

PGY-1

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Amy Ice-Gipson

Program Coordinator

Adam Albano, MD

Core Faculty

Usha Anand, MD

Core Faculty

Prasad Rao, MD

Core Faculty

Maged Doss, MD

Core Faculty

Rachel Johnson, MD

Core Faculty

Mohammad Kamran, MD

Core Faculty

Shashank Nuguru, MD

Core Faculty

PCOM

PGY-3

Joseph Bush, MD

PGY-3

Mercer University School of Medicine

José Chaves, MD

PGY-3

University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville

Luqman Croal-Abrahams, MD

PGY-3

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Vivien Edi, MD

PGY-3

Oba Okundae Sijuade College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University