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Memorial Hospital Match Day matches residents to their fields

Memorial Hospital Match Day matches residents to their fields

Memorial Hospital Match Day matches residents to their fields
Dr. Shazzanne Pennant talks to WLOX News

Joining us in studio is Dr. Gretchen Holmes, the designated Institutional Official for Memorial Hospital’s graduate medical education program.

Dr. Holmes is here to tell us about Match Day which takes place today at 2 p.m. at the Memorial Medical Office Building Atrium.

Memorial Logo White

Family Medicine
228-867-4968

Internal Medicine
228-822-6512

4500 Thirteenth Street
PO Box 1810
Gulfport, MS 39501

Memorial Health System welcoming new resident physicians from across the world

Memorial Health System welcoming new resident physicians from across the world

Memorial Health System welcoming new resident physicians from across the world
Dr. Shazzanne Pennant talks to WLOX News

India, Puerto Rico, Texas, and California are just some places where Memorial Health System is expecting new residential physicians over the next three years.

“When they come to us, they are physicians, we call them resident physicians and when they are done after their three years, then they will graduate, take their boards, and go into private practice,” said Dr. Gretchen Holmes.

Dr. Holmes is excited about the incoming group. These candidates will land in three departments: family medicine, internal medicine, and pharmacy. Internal medicine received more candidates this year than in previous years and this is something that Dr. Holmes is looking forward to.

“Their applications were so strong, they wanted to take advantage of having those applicants this year, so we expanded it by a couple of seats,” said Dr. Holmes.

“Whenever they come in their first year, they will do a few rotations in pediatrics, and internal medicine as well as some specialties in psychiatry, cardiology, and sports medicine,” Dr. Eugide Othepa said.

Dr. Othepa and Dr. Travis Webster are a part of the family medicine department. They say the candidates will get hands-on experience from the beginning of their shift. They also remember their first time being a resident physician.

“You go from being a student to being a provider and that transition can be a little nerve-wracking, but you always have a supporting team around you,” said Dr. Othepa.

“My first rotation I was a pediatrician. Dealing with little kids and newborns from day one was a little strange but there is a good support system here,” said Dr. Webster.

All three doctors say while they are all excited for the candidate’s future, they want to make sure they can provide the best treatment for them no matter what their decision is once they graduate.

“So, with the program here, we’re growing that number of future primary providers and hopefully some of them will stay here and continue to serve the community,” said Dr. Othepa.

“We’re fulfilling a couple of goals here, but the main thing is we want to create really good doctors and that’s what we are doing,” said Dr. Holmes.

The incoming employees will begin on July 1.

Memorial Logo White

Family Medicine
228-867-4968

Internal Medicine
228-822-6512

4500 Thirteenth Street
PO Box 1810
Gulfport, MS 39501

Memorial receives funds to advance residency education

Memorial receives funds to advance residency education

Memorial receives funds to advance residency education
Dr. Shazzanne Pennant talks to WLOX News

The graduate medical education program at Memorial was awarded funds to help educate physicians.

Physicians doing a residency work closely with the hospital to gain real-world experience.

During this time, they can also study upcoming research as well as do their own.

The Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce awarded more than $10,000 to fund the education of physicians in this program.

With this money, Memorial Hospital will be able to provide books, journals, and send physicians to conferences.

Wayne Latack, internal medicine program director at Memorial Hospital said, “90% of education and development comes from seeing patients, but this other 10% is so important. To get these materials, to present your findings at conferences, to get good at speaking in front of other people, promoting your residents, and learning how to critically appraise information, all of that plays into you being a better person and a better physician.”

The donation was divided up between different practices.

Memorial Logo White

Family Medicine
228-867-4968

Internal Medicine
228-822-6512

4500 Thirteenth Street
PO Box 1810
Gulfport, MS 39501

Memorial Health System welcomes 17 new medical residents

Memorial Health System welcomes 17 new medical residents

Memorial Health System welcomes 17 new medical residents
Dr. Shazzanne Pennant talks to WLOX News

Wednesday at the Great Southern Club, the new medical residents completed a rite of passage by receiving their white coats. For the next three years, these medical school graduates will continue their training as physicians at Memorial Health System.

The new Family Medicine residents include:

  • Dr. Ornella Saborido Battaglia
  • Dr. Heriberto Casanova, Jr.
  • Dr. Alex Cole
  • Dr. Hunter Cooper
  • Dr. Shawn Friedland
  • Dr. Charles Furlan, Jr.
  • Dr. Giannina Rodriguez-Golderos
  • Dr. Abraham Gobel
  • Dr. Sana Jaffery
  • Dr. Kyle Strickland
  • Dr. Praseeda Akella

The inaugural class of Internal Medicine residents includes:

  • Dr. Rahila Ali
  • Dr. Taylor Brewer
  • Dr. Bolos Gerges
  • Dr. Ryan Moses
  • Dr. Ansh Purohit
  • Dr. Deepak Raj

Dr. Hunter Cooper, a new Family Medicine resident, told WLOX the road to being a medical professional has been long, but worth it.

“You know, Mississippi is last in a lot of things, and our physician numbers- our disparities- are some of the worst in the nation, so I felt like it’s worth it,” Dr. Cooper said. “To be able to work back in Mississippi… I’m really glad Memorial opened a residency where I can train and eventually practice where I want to be- which is the Mississippi coast.”

With the addition of these classes, Memorial now boasts 36 medical residents.

Memorial Logo White

Family Medicine
228-867-4968

Internal Medicine
228-822-6512

4500 Thirteenth Street
PO Box 1810
Gulfport, MS 39501

GME Resident speaks on rising COVID-19 cases

GME Resident speaks on rising COVID-19 cases

GME Resident speaks on rising COVID-19 cases
Dr. Shazzanne Pennant talks to WLOX News

COVID-19 numbers are rising, protect yourself and help keep our community healthy by getting tested if you are experiencing symptoms at any of our primary care and walk-in clinics: https://wearememorial.com/service/covid-19/covid-19-testing-locations/

Learn more in this interview with GME Resident Dr. Taylor Brewer.

Memorial Logo White

Family Medicine
228-867-4968

Internal Medicine
228-822-6512

4500 Thirteenth Street
PO Box 1810
Gulfport, MS 39501

National Men’s Health Month with Dr. Eugide Othepa

National Men’s Health Month with Dr. Eugide Othepa

National Men’s Health Month with Dr. Eugide Othepa
Dr. Shazzanne Pennant talks to WLOX News

A recent study by The Cleveland Clinic found that 65% of men said they avoid going to the doctor as long as possible. Dr. Eugide Othepa discusses the importance of having a Primary Care Physician. 

Memorial Logo White

Family Medicine
228-867-4968

Internal Medicine
228-822-6512

4500 Thirteenth Street
PO Box 1810
Gulfport, MS 39501

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