Athens, Ga. (July 30, 2025) – Piedmont Athens Regional is proud to announce the graduation of 30 residents from its Graduate Medical Education (GME) program—20 from the Internal Medicine Residency and 10 from the Transitional Year Residency. This milestone marks another successful year of training the next generation of physicians.
More than half of this year’s graduates are entering clinical practice, while the remainder will continue their training in fellowship programs. Notably, 81% of those going into practice have chosen to remain in Georgia, reinforcing the program’s mission to serve the state’s healthcare needs. Thirteen graduates have accepted positions within the Piedmont system, including five who will continue their careers at Piedmont Athens Regional in both inpatient and outpatient roles.
“Graduation is an exciting milestone for the residents who have worked hard and been dedicated to their training for a long time,” said Catherine Apaloo, M.D., F.A.C.P., Designated Institutional Official for the GME program at Piedmont Athens Regional. “While at Piedmont Athens, they have provided compassionate care to so many patients, making a positive difference in the lives of many in our community.”
Launched in 2016 with 25 residents, the GME program has grown to include more than 70 residents today. The Internal Medicine Residency is a three-year program, while the Transitional Year Residency provides a foundational intern year for physicians pursuing advanced specialties such as radiology, ophthalmology, or dermatology.
“Our purpose is to train physicians who are excellent healers, engaged colleagues, and thoughtful professionals,” said James Appiah-Pippim, M.D., Program Director of the Transitional Year Residency. “These graduates are already demonstrating that they are each of those things, already making an impact in the lives of others, and will continue to do so for years to come.”
As a 427-bed regional medical center, Piedmont Athens offers residents the opportunity to train under close supervision from experienced attending physicians. Residents gain hands-on experience both in the hospital and at the outpatient Community Care Clinics, where they serve a diverse patient population.
“We are honored that these graduates chose to complete their residency at Piedmont Athens Regional,” Dr. Apaloo added. “We wish them only the best as they move on to the next steps in their careers.”
On July 1, the GME program welcomed 30 new doctors to begin their residency training, continuing Piedmont Athens Regional’s commitment to shaping the future of healthcare in Georgia.