GULFPORT, Miss. – June 26, 2024 – Memorial Health System welcomed 20 new medical residents to its Graduate Medical Education (GME) program during its White Coat Ceremony held on June 26 in Gulfport, representing the largest to date at Memorial. White Coat Ceremonies are a rite of passage to emphasize the importance of compassionate patient care at the very start of training.

This ceremony celebrates the fourth class of Family Medicine residents and the second class of Internal Medicine residents for the program, aimed to train and graduate well-balanced, compassionate physicians who are willing and dedicated to practice the highest level of medicine.   

Family Medicine residents include:

• Dr. Ali Alherimi
• Dr. Manisha Bandamede
• Dr. Caleb Bowen
• Dr. Carl DiBlasio
• Dr. Fabio Lugo
• Dr. Emmanuel Ogunleye
• Dr. Kayla Price
• Dr. Luis Selles Ramos
• Dr. Tejasvitaa Ravilla
• Dr. Hrishita Tiwari

Internal Medicine residents include:

• Dr. Salman Bari
• Dr. Logan Boutwell
• Dr. Bradley Lassiegne
• Dr. Joshua Luke
• Dr. Nikhil Mardhekar
• Dr. Jacob Rovira
• Dr. Naga Sunkara
• Dr. William Walker
• Dr. Saeeda Yasmin
• Dr. Hamid Anam (PGY2)

With the addition of these classes, Memorial now boasts 46 medical residents. There is a significant economic impact to sponsoring a residency program, including job creation, stronger hospitals, and research.

“We are excited to welcome our largest group of Family Medicine and Internal Medicine residents to date to Memorial Health System and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” says Dr. Wayne Latack, Memorial GME Designated Institutional Official. He continues, “We have a talented group of residents joining us who are looking forward to becoming part of our community.”

Memorial Health System has been the premier medical center for the Mississippi Gulf Coast for more than 75 years, with over 300 physicians on its medical staff. Specialty providers offer comprehensive, progressive services and care to a thriving community.

Residents will begin rotations on July 1, 2024.