The Phoebe Family Medicine Residency program officially expanded Wednesday by welcoming eight new residents for the first time.  The growth puts the program on a pace to include a full complement of 24 residents two years from now.  “There is still a great need for family medicine physicians, particularly in rural Georgia,” said PFMR Program Director George Fredrick, MD.  “We are proud that our program is growing and will graduate a larger number of outstanding physicians to help meet that need.”
 
The members of the PFMR Class of 2021 include:

·         Amanda An, MD
Ross University School of Medicine

·         Keylon Glawson, MD
Meharry Medical College

·         Tarah Henderson, DO
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

·         Kyle Libbey, MD
Mercer University School of Medicine

·         Jeffrey Nasworthy, MD
Mercer University School of Medicine

·         Nguyet Nguyen-To, MD
Ross University School of Medicine

·         Christopher Thaver, MD
Morehouse School of Medicine

·         Travisha Vaughns, MD
Florida State University College of Medicine
 
The residents were honored at a welcoming ceremony at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital attended by political, business and community leaders, as well as many members of the Phoebe Family.  “I don’t know of any community in the country that is as dedicated as Albany to giving physician residents such a warm welcome to town,” said Dr. Fredrick.  “Our community leaders truly appreciate the Phoebe Family Medicine Residency and the young doctors who will serve the people of our region.”
 
Sen. Renee Unterman, a Republican from Gwinnett County, gave the keynote address at the ceremony.  As a former nurse and a strong leader at the state capitol on issues connected to healthcare, she knows the importance of training and supporting young physicians in Georgia.  “It’s a great day for the state of Georgia when we improve the workforce of those caring for people in need of healthcare,” said Sen. Unterman.  “These residents should be proud to be part of the Phoebe Family, and they will be overwhelmed with love and support here,” she added.
 
The residents will spend the next three years honing their medical skills in southwest Georgia.  They will complete various specialty rotations as they train under a highly-qualified and dedicated team of volunteer faculty members, treating patients in Phoebe hospitals as well as the Phoebe Primary Care at Northwest clinic.
 
The PFMR Class of 2018, which includes six residents, will be honored at a graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 30.  That class brings the total number of PFMR graduates to 120 since the program began in 1993.  72% of those graduates are currently practicing in Georgia, and the majority of those remain in southwest Georgia.