39 Residents Complete Morehouse School of Medicine Program,
Half to Stay and Serve in Georgia

 

Another milestone in their medical education was achieved on Friday, June 2, as residents completed their Graduate Medical Education (GME) at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). They will now be able to practice medicine without seeking an advisor to sign off on their work and advice to patients, and some students will continue on to fellowships and focus on a particular field.

A total of 39 doctors completed the residency program. Nearly half of them, 19, will remain in the state of Georgia to practice in a variety of fields. Since MSM first granted the certificates, nearly two-thirds of the residents stayed and practiced in the state of Georgia.

Here is a breakdown of the graduates and their chosen field of practice:

  • Family Medicine – 6
  • General Internal Medicine – 17
  • General Pediatrics – 6
  • General Psychiatry – 3
  • OB/GYN – 4
  • Psychiatry – 3
  • Surgery – 2


At the ceremony, the graduates also recognized those who helped them on their paths. Associate Professor Dr. Deirdre Evans-Cosby was named Faculty Member of the Year, while Donna Florence of MSM and Renata Demons of Grady Health System were both honored with the Friend of GME Award. Colleen Stevens, of the Family Medicine Residency Program was named 2017 Program Manager of the Year.

Dr. Shanna Stephen received the Reginald and Ryan Wimberly Humanism in Medicine Award. Stephen served as the community service chair for the Morehouse School of Medicine pediatric program and also was previously honored with the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award and the Resident Teaching Award. She plans to return to her home state of Florida and serve underserved communities through medical missions.

The Resident of the Year Award went to Dr. Jordan Howard. Howard served as one of the chief residents for the Department of Psychiatry at MSM. He has also had several articles published in academic publications. Howard plans to stay and practice in Atlanta and continue to work with MSM. Howard was also selected as one of the first five recipients of the Operation Keepsake scholarship. Operation Keepsake was created to reduce student loan debt and encourage residents to practice in the state of Georgia.

About Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM)
Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation's leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists and public health professionals. In 2011, MSM was recognized by Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation’s No. 1 medical school in fulfilling a social mission. MSM faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care.

Morehouse School of Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master's degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit www.msm.edu or call 404-752-1500.