Athens, Ga. (June 14, 2023) – Thirty-two doctors recently graduated from Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center’s residency program in a downtown ceremony.

Piedmont Athens began its Graduate Medical Education program in 2016 with 15 Internal Medicine residents and 10 Transitional Year residents and has grown to more than 70 physicians in the program.

The length of training in residency programs varies according to specialty. Internal Medicine is a three-year program, while the Transitional Year program is an intern year, which is designed to be a foundation in preparation for an advanced residency completed elsewhere in specialties such as radiation oncology, anesthesiology and radiology.

This year’s graduates include 22 Internal Medicine residents and 10 Transitional Year residents.

“It is very exciting to celebrate graduation with our residents who have worked hard and been dedicated to their training while at Piedmont Athens Regional,” said Catherine Apaloo, M.D., F.A.C.P., the Designated Institutional Official for the GME program at Piedmont Athens Regional. “During their time at Piedmont Athens, they have provided compassionate care to so many patients and have undoubtedly positively touched the lives of individuals and the Athens community as a whole.”

“Graduates are moving on to a variety of opportunities, including some who will be working in Athens and others who are pursuing additional post-graduate training. This program is another example of how Piedmont helps Georgia grow the next generation of physicians.”

Of the 32 graduating physicians, at least 12 have announced they will remain in Georgia, including eight who have secured positions at Piedmont Athens Regional.

“Our primary goal is to graduate physicians who are excellent healers, engaged colleagues, and thoughtful professionals who will impact the lives of others for many years to come,” said Piedmont Athens Regional Transitional Year Program Director James Appiah-Pippim, M.D. “These physicians are already demonstrating the Piedmont Promise to make a positive difference in every life they touch.”

Although Piedmont Athens Regional is a large, 427-bed hospital, residents are able to work under direct supervision from their attendings. Residents practice medicine at the hospital and at the outpatient Clay Community Care Clinic. The mission of the Piedmont Athens Regional Internal Medicine Residency and Transitional Year Residency programs is to train the next generation of physicians throughout the state of Georgia.

“We are honored that these graduates chose to complete their residency at Piedmont Athens Regional,” Dr. Apaloo said. “We wish them only the best as they move on to the next steps in their careers.”

Internal Medicine graduates:

Ibipo Muinat Abdurraheem-Salami, M.D.

Ayesha Ahmad, D.O.

Eunice Nydela Amenu, M.D., M.P.H.

Tinuola Omoniyi Andre, M.D.

Rosemary Martekai Ansah, M.D., M.P.H.

Njika Atemnkeng, M.D., M.Sc.

Rafael Carlos da Silva, M.D.

Prince Nkansah Dwamena, M.D.

Jaime Jose Gonzalez Cardona, M.D.

Jeesanul Haq, M.D.

Onoriode Kesiena, M.D., M.P.H.

Kalpana Kugathasan, M.D.

Navin Kumar, M.D.

Nikhil Madala, M.D.

Usha Mahat, M.D.

Tianshuo “Fred” Man, M.D.

Warsha Kumari Mandhan, M.D.

Pia Helene Milde Papadopoulos, M.D.

Kofi Darkwa Seffah, M.D.

Shreyas Narsimba Singireddy, M.D.

Susan Wanjiru Waitimu, M.D.

Alfred Ka-Shing Wong, M.D.

Transitional year graduates:

Samuel Beloin, M.D.

Tyler Dempsey, M.D.

Nick Emamifar, M.D.

George W. Fan, M.D.

Tyler C. McMartin, M.D.

Uwagbae Ibizugbe, M.D.

Oluwatimileyin Esther Ojo, M.D.

Kwaku Owusu-Bediako, M.D., M.P.H.

Elizabeth Soladoye, M.D., M.P.H.

Moises Zouain Estevez, M.D.