RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
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Dr. Kwame Brown Joins McLeod
The staff of McLeod Primary Care Cheraw welcome Rural Residency Faculty Member Dr. Kwame Brown in joining Dr. Susan Robins and Jackie Stafford, DNP in caring for patients. Dr. Brown joined the Cheraw community three years ago as part of the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program.
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Dr. Kyle Burke Joins McLeod
The McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program welcomes faculty member Dr. Kyle Burke. Dr. Burke will be working alongside Dr. Mark Jones in growing the Osteopathic segment of the program. “As I member of the faculty, I look forward to bringing my knowledge to the residents and watching them grow,” said Dr. Burke
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Residency Match Week
McLeod Family Medicine Residency Programs had a successful Match Week. The programs filled nine spots for incoming resident physicians for the Florence program, four for the Rural Residency Cheraw location, and four for the Rural Residency Clarendon location. They celebrated by hosting a luncheon to introduce the newest class of resident physicians starting June 17, 2024.
“When I read the application statements, I look for residents who I believe will have perseverance, resilience, and be a team player,” said Dr. Gerard Jebaily, Designated Institutional Official “I believe this new class has all these qualities.”
The McLeod Family Medicine Residency Programs are pleased to introduce the Class of 2027:
McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency, McLeod Health Cheraw: Martin Cherenfant , DO, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus, Zachary Monks, MD,Medical University of the Americas (Nevis), Shahbaz Mushtaq, MD, Ross University School of Medicine, Monika Sokolowska, MD, Ross University School of Medicine
READ MOREMcLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency, McLeod Health Clarendon: Beshoy Benyamen, MD, Beni Suef University Faculty of Medicine, Deepthy Alias, MD, St. George’s University School of Medicine, Colin Henderson, DO, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, Flora Ipaktchian, MD, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara
McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program, McLeod Regional Medical Center: Richard Gannon, DO, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus, Alondra Gutierrez Ara, MD, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Alexander Manno, DO, Nova Southeastern University Dr Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Charles Payne, DO, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus, Colton Putnam, DO, University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, Zeyn Sparks White, MD, Trinity School of Medicine, Josephine Tai, DO, Campbell University Jerry M Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, Jacob Vining, DO, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus, Andrew Westfall, MD, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia.
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Laine Way, MD Joins Faculty
McLeod Health is pleased to announce Laine Way, MD has joined the faculty for the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program.
As a faculty member, Dr. Way will work under the direction of Dr. Lisa Heichberger Site Director for the Clarendon location.
A native of Manning, South Carolina and a graduate of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency program, Dr. Way received her medical degree from the USC School of Medicine, Columbia, SC.
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Residents Go On Medical Mission to Honduras
McLeod Family Medicine Residency had two residents join Dr. Walter “Ernie” Connor in a medical mission to Honduras; Dr. Danielle Schmidt, PGY-3, and 2023 graduate Dr. Andy Swamy. McLeod pharmacist Angela Gensel also volunteered her services. The Honduras Medical Mission set up two separate clinics in economically depressed communities and offered au gratis medical care, prescriptions, as well as optical care. Altogether the team saw 635 patients, provided 1921 prescriptions, 23 joint injections, 10 surgeries, 2 breathing treatments, dispensed 251 reading glasses, and did 4 medical home visits in addition to providing 65 food bags to needy families with malnourished children. Dr. Schmidt states, “It was an honor to serve these people in this way. The opportunity to work with Dr. Connor was also a wonderful learning experience. Every resident would benefit from a medical mission trip such as this. We are truly such privileged people.” Dr. Andy Swamy was impressed, “I saw God’s providence at work in how He could use us in meeting the needs of those less fortunate. “
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McLeod Family Medicine Residents Graduate
A graduation ceremony was held for the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Programs Class of 2023 on Thursday, June 22 at SiMT. The Class of 2023, pictured from left to right (back row), included Dr. Riley Little, Dr. Michael Shea, Dr. Eric McLaine, Dr. Jonathan Gallimore, Dr. Mark Jones, Dr. Michael Corso, and Dr. Kevin Londe. (front row) Dr. Charlee Pittman, Dr. Patricia Lage, Dr. Melissa Marvin, Dr. Jasmin Singh, and Dr. Anand Swamy. Four of our graduates have joined the McLeod Medical Staff: Dr. Corso, Jeter Skinner Family Practice; Dr. Jones, McLeod Family Medicine Center, Dr. Pittman, McLeod Health Clarendon Hospitalists; and Dr. Shea McLeod Health Seacoast Hospitalists.
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Residents Present Their Projects
Dr. Eric McLaine and Dr. Michael Shea of the Cheraw Rural Residency program and Dr. Jasmin Singh, Dr. Michael Corso and Dr. Andy Swamy of the Florence Residency program, presented their PBLI projects at the South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians in Hilton Head. The Cheraw program presented their PBLI research on ICU extubating protocol. The Florence program presented research on sleep study referrals. Both groups did a great job and were asked lots of questions, which they handled with great care. One physician in the audience wondered if the protocol could be uploaded into Epic and done so for national use.Congratulations are in order for our senior residents. -
Dr. W. Mark Jones 2023 Resident of the Year
The South Carolina Osteopathic Medical Society presented Dr. W. Mark Jones, V with its 2023 Resident of the Year Award on June 8 at its Annual Meeting. This award honors a current DO Resident who demonstrates a commitment to osteopathic patient-centered care, provides exemplary patient care and clinical promise, contributes to scholarly activity, and demonstrates leadership and a commitment to the community.
READ MOREDr. Jones is a 2020 graduate of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM-Carolinas) in Spartanburg, SC. His academics into medical school placed him in the top one percent in every standardized test where any medical field would be available for his career choice. Yet his compassion for people and his extreme desire to help all sorts of everyday folks was confirmed with his VCOM training that led him into a Family Medicine residency.
Dr. Jones is a third-year Family Medicine Resident at the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program in Florence, SC. He has maintained his leadership skills and community involvement by serving as the PGYII and PGYIII Chief Resident, as well as providing multiple lectures and skills labs for the VCOM Family Medicine Interest group.
While in residency, Dr. Jones furthered his passion for organized medicine by serving in multiple capacities in the South Carolina Medical Association Resident and Fellow Section and currently holds the position of RFS Delegate and Member at Large. He has co-authored multiple resolutions on subjects that include Pharmacy Benefit Manager gag clauses, COMLEX acceptance within SC residencies, and prevention of second-hand smoke exposure in minors.
Dr. Jones has accepted a faculty position at the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program in Florence, SC. He will continue to provide full-spectrum family medicine, to include OMT, to the Florence community, as well as serve as the Director of Osteopathic Education. To further his dedication to osteopathic medicine, he is perusing both ABMS and AOA board certification.
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American Heart Association Walk
Family Medicine Rural Residents Dr. Matthew Jackson and Dr. Jarrod Mullen; Dr. Caetie Rabon, Rural Regional Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Lisa Heichberger, McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Site Director represented McLeod Health Clarendon at the American Heart Association Sumter Clarendon Heart Walk, Saturday, May 13.
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Suturing Clinic
The McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program in Cheraw held a suturing clinic led by PGY3 resident Dr. Eric McLaine. According to Dr. McLaine, “The clinic consisted of two sections for both the interns and second year residents including simple techniques such as simple interrupted, running continuous, deep dermal, and running subcuticular. The more advanced section consisted of 2-handed and 1-handed ties, as well as horizontal and vertical mattresses.”
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Dr. Robins Appointed to Program Director of the McLeod Rural Residency Program
McLeod Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Susan Robins, DO as the new Program Director for the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program.
READ MOREAs Program Director, Dr. Robins will oversee and ensure a learning and working environment conducive to educating residents in Clarendon and Cheraw. She will work collaboratively with Dr. Lisa Heichberger, McLeod Site Director for the Clarendon Rural Residency Program, and Brooke Smith, McLeod Director of Graduate Medical Education, on program and curriculum development.
The Rural Residency’s mission is to graduate skilled physicians who are well-rounded and able to understand and treat the unique conditions of patients within rural and underserved areas. The focus of the residency program includes time spent at the two training hospitals; McLeod Health Clarendon located in Manning, South Carolina and McLeod Health Cheraw located in Cheraw, South Carolina.
Dr. Robins graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed Family Medicine Residency in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She has lived in Chesterfield County for the past 17 years and worked in the community for 12 years before taking a position in 2017 with the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program in Florence.
In Florence, she served as the Associate Program Director and Clinical Medical Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program. In 2020, she was promoted to Site Director of the Family Medicine Rural Residency Program in Cheraw after working extensively on expanding McLeod’s Graduate Medical Education through a grant McLeod received to support the development and implementation of the Rural Residency Program.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to help grow and support the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program. With over 20 years of experience in rural areas, I feel I have a good understanding of the challenges that are present in rural medicine. I am committed to providing the best educational experience possible for our residents, so they are well prepared to practice medicine in resource limited areas.”
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A Tour of McLeod Health Cheraw
Dr. Susan Robins, Associate Program Director of McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Cheraw, took several medical students on a tour of McLeod Health Cheraw. These tours enable medical students to get a better feel for our hospital and the services provided to improve health outcomes in rural areas.
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Guest Speaker Dr. Brittany Rainwater
Clinical Psychologist and McLeod Family Medicine Residency Faculty Member Dr. Brittany Rainwater was the guest speaker at the McLeod Foundation Angels meeting to discuss coping with anxiety and depression.
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McLeod Physicians Discuss Labor Induction and Management
Dr. Tabitha Stellato, Core Faculty, and Dr. Mark Jones, Chief Resident, discussed labor induction and management with the residents. The lecture hour ended with an amniotomy workshop where residents practiced their clinical skills using water balloons to simulate the breaking of a pregnant woman’s water.
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McLeod Health Welcomes
Dr. Amber MartinThe medical staff of McLeod Family Medicine South welcome Dr. Amber Martin to the team. A 2022 graduate of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program, Dr. Martin received her medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, SC. Dr. Martin is accepting new patients. For appointments call (843) 777-9460.
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Congratulations to
Dr. Lisa E. HeichbergerMcLeod congratulates Lisa E. Heichberger, MD, Dip. ABFM, on completing the requirements and passing her board exams for Lifestyle Certification. Dr. Heichberger, who serves as the Associate Site Director for the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program-Clarendon is also the curriculum champion in Lifestyle Medicine for all three McLeod Family Medicine Residency Programs.
READ MORE“I am thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to pursue lifestyle medicine board certification as well as to offer Lifestyle Medicine within McLeod Family Medicine Residency Curriculum,” said Dr. Heichberger. “In doing so, upon graduation, the Residents will have completed all prerequisites to sit for Lifestyle Medicine Board Examination. Thus, giving them dual board certification within the confines of their 3-year Family Medicine Residency.”
For more information about lifestyle medicine residency curriculum please visit: lifestylemedicine.org.
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McLeod Health Welcomes Returning Faculty Member
McLeod Health is pleased to announce the return of Kelly Jones PharmD to the faculty of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Programs.
Dr. Jones served on the faculty of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program for 28 years before leaving to co-develop an independent local pharmacy.
READ MOREAfter establishing the pharmacy, Dr. Jones realized his passion and calling in life is to teach and returned to McLeod to fulfill that calling. As a PharmD, Dr. Jones’ role will be to offer guidance to the residents regarding medications as care for their patients in McLeod Family Medicine clinics.
“My role has always been to help physicians help their patients,” said Dr. Jones. “Medications can be complicated and physicians in training may need guidance when it comes to managing multiple medications for their patients. My focus will be to enhance pharmaceutical skills for the residents of both McLeod Family Medicine rural training sites in Manning and Cheraw.”
Dr. Jones is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He also completed a Post Doctorate PharmD Fellowship in Family Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
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McLeod Physicians Educate Cheraw Church Members on Diabetes
Dr. Susan Robins, McLeod Family Medicine Physician and Site Director for the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program; Dr. Kwame Brown, Resident Physician and Dr. Cathryn Aliceaacosta, Resident Physician, spoke about Diabetes to the members of Pee Dee Union Baptist Church in Cheraw on August 26. Drs. Robins, Brown and Aliceaacoasta care for patients at McLeod Primary Care Cheraw and are accepting new patients. Appointments can be made by calling (843) 537-2171.
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Dr. Winston Plunkett Speaks on the Wake Up Carolina Radio Show
Faculty member Dr. Winston Plunkett was a guest speaker on the Wake Up Carolina radio show. Dr. Plunkett, speaking on the importance of having a primary care physician said to the community listeners, “Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start.
READ MOREThey also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. By getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances for living a longer, healthier life.” Dr. Plunkett also added that cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight are just some of the health concerns that need to be monitored by a primary care provider.
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Dr. Plunkett Joins McLeod Family Medicine Center
McLeod Health is pleased to welcome Dr. Winston Plunkett to the practice of McLeod Family Medicine Center in Florence. In addition to caring for patients, Dr. Plunkett will serve as a faculty member for the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program.
READ MOREDr. Plunkett grew up in historic Williamsburg, Virginia. He lived and worked in Charlottesville before entering medical school in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Plunkett received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He then completed a residency in Family Medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
“When searching for a place to begin my career, I wanted to be involved in graduate medical education; to be around young learners with the energy to challenge me to stay current with medical literature, pushing me to be a better physician,” said Dr. Plunkett.
“As I interviewed for the position and got to see all the great things going on at McLeod, I knew McLeod was an organization with a strong mission statement about caring for the people of this region that I was in total agreement with.”
Dr. Plunkett and his wife Lesley reside in Florence. In his spare time Dr. Plunkett enjoys board games, the great outdoors including tubing, white water rafting and camping. His medical interests include behavioral health, preventive medicine, global health, and office-based procedures.
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Dr. Howell Receives 2021 Leadership In Humane Education Award
South Carolina AHEC and McLeod Health is pleased to announce Dr. Richard R. Howell as the 2021 recipient of the Halford Award for Leadership in Humane Education. The award was presented to Dr. Howell during the graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021 McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program by Dr. Gerard Jebaily, Program Director and Dr. Allan Macdonald, Associate Program Director.
READ MORESince 1984, Dr. Howell has been an integral part of the Family Medicine Residency Program at McLeod Regional Medical Center serving as the Director of Geriatric Education. Recently Dr. Howell was named Program Director for the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program.
The Halford Award is presented to a Family Medicine residency training program faculty member in recognition of outstanding leadership in providing humane education. The award is named for Dr. James Halford, who was the founding director of the AnMed Health Family Medicine Residency Program. Award winners demonstrate a caring attitude and respect for patients, residents and students; value human dignity; demonstrate a passion and joy for teaching, learning and working with others and participating in community service activities.
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Class of 2021 Graduates
Congratulations to the Class of 2021 McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr Caitlin Basnight, Dr. Aria Behrouzi, Dr. Eric Hart, Dr. James Johnson, Dr. Narjah Martin, Dr. Brice Morey, Dr. Yorke Reynolds, and Dr. Brandon Washington celebrated their graduation Friday evening, June 25 along with friends, family and fellow residents. “This class represents the 39th class to graduate from our program,” said Dr. Gerard Jebaily, McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program Director. “At 60% we have highest retention rate of residents who have remained in South Carolina to practice, the highest rate in the state. We are very proud of our program and its graduates.”
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McLeod Family Medicine Residents Celebrate
The McLeod Family Medicine Residents took a minute to celebrate their first three weeks of training.
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Meet and Greet
A meet and greet was held during week one at McLeod Health Clarendon, McLeod Health Cheraw and McLeod Regional Medical Center for an opportunity for the new residents to meet administration, medical staff and hospital directors.
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McLeod Physicians Honored with Teaching Awards
McLeod Health congratulates Dr. Adnan Alsaka and Dr. John Sonfield for honors they recently received from the Class of 2021 and 2022 with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Florence Regional Campus.
READ MOREMedical students Autumn Lupotsky and Matthew Lancaster presented Dr. Alsaka with the O’Neill Barrett Teaching Award during the Medical Staff meeting on June 7. This award is given for outstanding Clinical Science Teaching throughout a student’s four years of medical school. Dr. Alsaka previously received the Teacher of the Year award for 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Dr. Sonfield received the Teacher of the Year Award for the fourth consecutive year. This honor is selected by vote of the medical students pursuing rotations at McLeod Regional Medical Center.
“Since 2017, the USC School of Medicine Regional Campus in Florence has educated between 20 to 30 third and fourth year medical students,” said Dr. Alan Sechtin, Assistant Dean of Medical Education at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Florence Regional Campus. “We consistently receive incredible feedback on our faculty, and our family medicine residents who teach. The time spent teaching, whether on the wards, the operating room, in private offices, or in didactic session is invaluable to the next generation of physicians.
“On behalf of the USC School of Medicine, I can’t thank our faculty enough for what each of them does for our regional campus. I also have to thank the McLeod Health system for its continued support. Without the commitment by McLeod to education in our region, we could not have a regional campus,” added Dr. Sechtin.
In addition to their work with the medical students, Dr. Alsaka and Dr. Sonfield also serve as educators for the McLeod Family Medicine Residents.
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Welcome Class of 2024
Day One for the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program Class of 2024 and a welcome lunch was held for the new residents to meet their fellow class mates, senior residents and staff members of the McLeod Family Medicine Center.
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Free Blood Pressure & Glucose Screenings
The McLeod Family Medicine Center along with Dr. Patricia Lage from the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program provided free blood pressure and blood glucose screenings, Wednesday, May 26, as part of the 2021 National Senior Health & Fitness Day. This event sponsored by the McLeod Health & Fitness Center is a nationwide recognition for older adults, held the last Wednesday in May, to promote the importance of regular physical activity and the importance of improving their health and fitness.
READ MORE“Not only is regular exercise important but so is keeping blood pressure and diabetes under control when it comes to heart disease and stroke,” said Dr. Gerard Jebaily, Program Coordinator, McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program. “Education is key which is why we were excited about partnering with the McLeod Health & Fitness Center on this special day.”
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Dr. Jebaily Receives Award
Dr. Gerard Jebaily, Program Director of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program was awarded the 2021 Hypertension Champion of the Year Award by Dan Lackland, DrPH, Department of Neurology, for the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Lackland representing the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida Chapter of the American Society of Hypertension said, “Dr. Jebaily has been a major influence in getting patient’s blood pressure under control as well as working with the residents in education and keeping patients out of the emergency room. As a result of Dr. Jebaily’s work, strides have been made in the drop of stroke rates.”
READ MOREDr. Jebaily’s award was presented as part of the 2021 Chronic Disease Prevention Symposium. In accepting the award Dr. Jebaily said, “To make this a success has been a partnership. We reach out into the community to provide education, work with our patients to get their blood pressure below 130, and take care of them before they need to go to the hospital. This award is a great honor. I accept this award on behalf of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program and McLeod Health.”
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2021 Thank A Resident Day
On Wednesday, March 3, McLeod Health celebrated the 2021 Thank a Resident Day with the Residents of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program and the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency.
READ MOREResidency is a key component of graduate medical training. It often leads to long working hours with many responsibilities caring for patients both in the clinic and hospital as an integral part of the healthcare team. Our residents care for patients at McLeod Regional Medical Center, McLeod Health Clarendon, McLeod Health Cheraw, McLeod Family Medicine Center, McLeod Primary Care Clarendon and McLeod Primary Care Cheraw. In addition, they serve as indispensable resources and mentors for medical students who are completing their third and fourth year rotations here in Florence.
“The Residents are an important part of our Medical Staff,” said Dr. Dale Lusk, McLeod Health Executive Medical Officer. “We are grateful for their commitment to patient care, and for their daily dedication in helping McLeod be the Choice for Medical Excellence.”
“Today’s celebration was just a small token of what the residents mean to us,” said Dr. Gerard Jebaily, Program Director, McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program. “I have been working with the residents for almost forty years and throughout that time what has never changed it the spirit of the value of what it means to be a resident.”
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McLeod Family Oral Health and Dentistry
In addition to covering the dental needs of the patients of the McLeod Family Medicine Center, McLeod Family Oral Health and Dentistry is now accepting appointments for McLeod Health employees and their dependents. They accept all insurances including McLeod BCBS dental insurance. McLeod Family Oral Health and Dentistry offers a full range of dental services including preventative care, basic procedures, partials, dentures, night guards and cosmetic services.
READ MORE“The dental team is excited to be a part of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program,” said Jamie Y. Driggers, DMD, Director of Oral Health Integration, McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program. “We strive to embody true integration of dental health into medical health with our role in the center and curriculum. Our goal is not only to provide enhanced oral health education to the residents that they can carry with them into practice, but to also be available for them and their family’s dental health needs.”
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Carmen Roberts, DO Joins Program
McLeod Health is pleased to announce Carmen Roberts, DO has joined the faculty for the McLeod Family Medicine Rural Residency Program.
As a faculty member, Dr. Roberts will work under the direction of Dr. Lisa Heichberger Site Director for the Clarendon location.
READ MOREBoard Certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Cribb provides primary care for men, women, and children and enjoys forging relationships with the patients she serves. “I enjoy the complexity of caring for people of all ages, and everyday being different in primary care,’ said Dr. Roberts.
A native of Georgetown, South Carolina and a graduate of the McLeod Family Medicine Residency program, Dr. Roberts received her medical degree from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia.
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RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
