Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, home to the region’s only Level II Trauma Center, continues to expand its expert trauma team. Phoebe recently welcomed two experienced and highly accomplished physicians: trauma surgeon Nehal Ninad, MD, and orthopaedic trauma surgeon Carissa N. Kirk, DO. Together, they enhance Phoebe's commitment to providing exceptional care for critically injured patients across southwest Georgia.

Dr. Ninad brings extensive experience in trauma surgery, general surgery, and surgical critical care. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at Atrium Health Navicent/Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia, and then a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center in Michigan.

Dr. Ninad has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presented at national and regional surgical meetings. In May 2025, he served as a lecturer and cadaver lab instructor at a damage control surgery symposium for Ukrainian frontline providers in Lviv, Ukraine. His honors include a first runner-up finish in the Georgia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons resident paper competition.

Dr. Kirk is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in orthopaedic trauma. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and Master of Business Administration from the New York Institute of Technology. Dr. Kirk completed her orthopedic surgery residency through the Northshore Long Island Jewish Health System and a trauma fellowship at the Georgia Orthopedic Trauma Institute at the Medical Center of Central Georgia.

Dr. Kirk has served as clinical faculty at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and has provided acute orthopaedic and trauma coverage at hospitals in Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California. Dr. Kirk is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, and AO North America.

"When someone in our community suffers a serious injury, every minute matters. Adding additional surgeons of this caliber helps us ensure our patients get the expert trauma care they need right away,” said Leon Dent, MD, Phoebe Medical Director for Trauma Services. “Dr. Ninad and Dr. Kirk bring exceptional skills and dedication to Phoebe's trauma team. We are delighted to have them and are confident our patients will benefit greatly from their expertise.”

The Phoebe Emergency & Trauma Center cares for more than 1,000 trauma patients each year. Dr. Ninad and Dr. Kirk join the trauma team that – in addition to Dr. Dent – includes general trauma surgeons Colville Ferdinand, MD; David Kashmer, MD; Pat McGann, MD, and Tonny Orach, MD; and orthopaedic trauma surgeons Ginger Bryant, MD and Eddie Powell, MD.