The Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership Internal Medicine Residency Program (IMRP) at St. Mary's has announced another successful Match Day. The program filled all residency positions to welcome its eighth class of internal medicine residents in Athens.

“We are honored once again to have received so many truly exceptional applicants to our program,” said Dr. Lela Ward, program director for the IMRP. “The supportive medical community, dedicated volunteer faculty, exceptional staff, and commitment of St. Mary’s Health Care System to quality care truly make this an excellent program to learn and to train physicians in Northeast Georgia.”

The IMRP, which received full accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education in October 2016, is a joint effort by the AU/UGA Medical Partnership and St. Mary’s. Residents are medical school graduates who are entering the final stage of their medical education: a three-year, hands-on program with progressive levels of responsibility that ends in certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

“While we have seen a dramatic decrease in the number of COVID hospitalizations and deaths, the Class of 2026 will be facing new and unprecedented challenges in the healthcare world,” said Dr. Jason Smith, St. Mary’s chief medical officer. “Continued pandemic-related health challenges, along with the need to continue to provide ever-higher levels of quality and satisfaction for patients with more and more chronic illnesses, will be a significant challenge for these new physicians. I have no doubt that this outstanding class of physicians is up to the task.”

The IMRP Class of 2026 and the schools at which they completed their medical education are:
• JonHenry Allen, DO – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Andrew Clermont, MD – Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
• Thomas Diamond, MD – St. George’s University
• Carla Erb, DO – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Marina Mina, MD – Ross University School of Medicine
• Jalees Naseer, MD – Ross University School of Medicine
• Hevinkumar Patel, DO – Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn Campus
• Crystal Rivera Perez, MD – Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine
• Christopher Schrock, DO – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Nadia Tamia, MD – Ross University School of Medicine
• Maryam Tarar, DO – West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

In addition, the program matched a preliminary year intern, Nolan Mattingly, MD. He earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.

The new residents will begin practicing at St. Mary's Health Care System on July 1.

"This is another exciting year in the history of the Internal Medicine Residency Program," said David Spivey, St. Mary’s interim president and CEO. "We are confident this next class will continue the tradition of compassion and excellence demonstrated by their predecessors. St. Mary's is proud to be an integral part of the IMRP and its success in bringing more medical doctors to Georgia and to the Athens region."

“I am so excited to have this group of residents join us. Their experiences, diversity, and talent will continue to strengthen the Internal Medicine program,” said Medical Partnership campus dean Dr. Shelley Nuss. "I look forward to seeing what these young physicians will do in our community over the next three years."