For the fifth year in its five-year history, the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership Internal Medicine Residency Program at St. Mary's Health Care System has filled all openings for its new class of medical residents.

The AU/UGA Medical Partnership Internal Medicine Residency Program (IMRP) was the first new graduate medical education program in Northeast Georgia in recent years and received full accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education in October 2016.

The new residents will begin practicing at St. Mary's on July 1 under the supervision of advanced resident physicians and physician faculty from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and area community-based teaching faculty.

"This is another exciting year in the history of our program," said Montez Carter, St Mary's President and CEO. "Our first four classes have been filled with truly fine physicians. We are confident this next class will continue the tradition of compassion and excellence. St. Mary's is proud to be an integral part of the Internal Medicine Residency Program and its success in bringing more medical doctors to Georgia and to the Athens region."

“We are honored to have received so many truly exceptional applicants to our program,” said Achilia Morrow, MD, MPH, Program Director for the IMRP. “The supportive medical community, dedicated volunteer faculty, staff, and St. Mary’s Health Care System truly make this an excellent program to learn and train physicians in Northeast Georgia.”  

The IMRP Class of 2022 and the schools at which they completed their medical education are:

• Kajal Joshi, MD, medical degree from American University of Antigua College of Medicine

• Akhila Madala, MD, medical degree from Narayana Medical College

• Umair Majoka, MD, medical degree from American University of Antigua College of Medicine

• Maureen Onweni, MD, medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine

• Marjory Pesek, MD, medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine

• Nathaniel Rodriguez, MD, medical degree from American University of Antigua College of Medicine

• Juan Salazar Castillo, MD, medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine

• Robert Seminara, MD, medical degree from American University of Integrative Sciences School of Medicine

• Amtul Shafi, MD, medical degree from Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences

• Kevin Shapiro, MD, medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine

In addition, the program matched with Joshua Moore, DO, a preliminary year resident who will practice for a year with the IMRP before continuing his training in anesthesiology. Dr. Moore earned his medical degree from the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“We are proud to have these 11 physicians join our residency program. They truly impressed us with their maturity, compassion, scholarly achievements, and dedication to improving the community,” said Dr. Morrow.

The IMRP is a joint effort by the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership and St. Mary’s, the program's Major Participating Site. The program's goal is to address the physician shortage in Georgia. Residents are graduates of medical school who will be completing the last stage of their medical education: a three-year, hands-on program that ends in certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

The IMRP received 2,370 applications for this year's 10 categorical residents and one preliminary year resident. A committee made up of Internal Medicine Residency Program faculty, several local physicians, and leaders from St. Mary’s and the Medical Partnership, interviewed selected applicants. Candidates typically interview with multiple programs. Afterwards, the candidates and the programs rank their preferences, then the National Residency Matching Program determines placements. Residents learn which program they have been matched with on Match Day, held on the third Friday of March every year.

“I could not be more excited to welcome this incoming class of residents” said AU/UGA Medical Partnership Campus Dean Michelle Nuss, M.D. "They each bring a new perspective and talent to our program. I know they will bring great things to our community here in Athens and to the whole state of Georgia."

In addition to the care they provide at St. Mary's Hospital, the residents work hand-in-hand with physician faculty at Community Internal Medicine of Athens in the Resource Medical Center at 1500 Oglethorpe Ave, Athens. This full-fledged outpatient practice provides primary wellness care, sick care and chronic disease management for adults, and accepts most major forms of insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, and self-pay, with financial assistance available to those who qualify.

Third-year Residents also complete clinical rotations in Greensboro, Ga., providing inpatient care at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital and outpatient care at TenderCare Clinic.

“Being the site of the first medical residency program in Northeast Georgia continues to be a tremendous honor for St. Mary’s,” said Bruce Middendorf, M.D., St. Mary’s Chief Medical Officer. “Residents bring new energy and enthusiasm into our clinical areas. At the same time, working with these new physicians is exciting for our medical staff. We are looking forward to welcoming our fifth class of residents and to working with them to further raise the bar for clinical excellence at St. Mary’s and across Northeast Georgia. This is a great day for our community.”