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.

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.

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.

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. 

Dr. Shazzanne Pennant and Dr. Jonathan Hamilton represented Memorial GME Family Medicine during the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) Primary Care Day at the Mississippi State Capitol on February 7, 2023.

Family physicians and pediatricians from all over the state participated in a morning of activities highlighting primary care on Tuesday, February 7.  Primary Care Day at the Capitol had a total of 55 attendees, including 16 residents from 6 family medicine residency programs.

Family physicians from throughout the state participated in a morning of activities, meeting with legislators to increase awareness of issues affecting family medicine. After being introduced in the House and Senate galleries, MAFP members then gathered for lunch to hear Senator Hob Bryan of Amory speak and hear updates on state issues.

Dr. Shazzanne Pennant, Memorial GME Family Medicine resident, shares, “It is important to build and maintain relationships with legislators because physicians are the advocates of their patients. As physicians, we are representatives for people in our communities and state. We all can play an essential part when it comes to laws and policies that will affect the community and public health by listening to our patients and being informed on legislation. It is vital to keep this line of communication open so that lawmakers can see how policies impact their constituents.”

Memorial GME residents prioritize community outreach and have a strong presence in the community. “Community outreach is a way of providing access to health care and resources to members of the community. It is a unique opportunity to get involved and interact with a variety of people. Participating in community outreach creates the opportunity for physicians to build relations and strong bonds in the community. For me, giving back to my community renews my sense of purpose as to why I chose to be a physician in the first place,” Dr. Pennant shares.

Thank you both for representing Memorial!