Articles
Guest and faculty physician lectures enrich learning experience
 Efforts to engage more frequently with subspecialty faculty and guest physicians during the Internal Medicine residency program’s daily lecture sessions this academic year resulted in an enriched and more robust didactics schedule. The program’s goal is now to plan an even larger presence in the next academic year. From one session per year to a series of ongoing courses, physicians stepped up to share their expertise in their respective fields. Among those who have participated this year include:
In addition to physician lectures, members of the interdisciplinary team play an active role in trainees' education by providing lectures and leading learning activities. Some departments who have participated include Respiratory Therapy, Food and Nutrition, Case Management, Pharmacy, Quality, and more. Program leadership and resident physicians appreciate the commitment shown by each of these individuals who shared their knowledge with the group. Planning has begun to build out the educational session schedule for next year. If you are interested in providing a lecture, please reach out to Program Director Estefania Lara Garcia, MD, at [email protected] or the incoming chief residents Gabrielle Brewer, DO, at [email protected] or Foster West, DO, at [email protected]. |
Next Class of Internal Medicine Resident Physicians Matched with Baptist North Mississippi Program
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We are pleased to announce that the next class of Internal Medicine Resident Physicians have matched to Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi. The 12 trainees who will make up the fourth class will join the current 24 PGY1 and PGY2 Resident Physicians. The group will begin their three years of training in July 2024 following a two-week orientation period. A full class announcement will be forthcoming. The first class of resident physicians who began their training in 2021 will complete the residency program this summer as the new class is entering. Throughout the recruitment process, program leadership focused on the whole candidate, with the most important criteria being “mission fit,” including applicants who are natives of the Mid-South, were educated in the area, have a strong connection to loved ones in Mississippi or the Mid-South, and those who have a strong desire to live in and serve the state and region after training. Each of the 12 incoming resident physicians possesses their own unique combination of characteristics and connections that made them an ideal candidate to train at Baptist North Mississippi. The recruitment season wrapped up on February 28, 2024, with the certification of the final rank order list in The National Resident Matching Program’s Main Residency Match. Through the process, a dynamic group of candidates from across the globe shared their life stories, motivation for pursuing medicine, and professional aspirations. Nearly all of the candidates traveled in person to Oxford, MS, to tour the community and BMH-NM facilities. All 12 positions were filled on the first day of the Main Residency Match. The program’s mission remains to train clinically and procedurally competent physicians in the specialty of Internal Medicine who will provide high quality, safe, cost-effective, and patient/family-centered care for adults in North Mississippi, upholding the greater Baptist Memorial Health Care mission of “Healing, Preaching and Teaching.” |
Faculty gathers for celebration, discussions
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On Friday, January 6, 2023, faculty members gathered to celebrate the previous year’s accomplishments and to discuss the program’s future direction as it continues to grow. The group of physicians enjoyed a delicious dinner served in the Snack Bar restaurant’s private dining room, with a program that followed presented by Program Director Dr. Seger Morris, and Subspecialty Education Coordinators Dr. Nathan Bell and Dr. Megan Edwards. It was an ideal opportunity to take time out of busy schedules to socialize, as well as host productive group discussions surrounding the integration of learners in the clinical environment. "I'm so proud of all our program has accomplished in a rather short time," Morris said. "This is a testament to the hard work of our resident physicians and administrative support, but most importantly the example of our highly engaged faculty for setting an example of lifelong learning and excellence in patient care as both physicians and teachers." Clinicians from a variety of specialties attended and gave valuable feedback and insight about their last 18 months leading the training experience for the two classes of resident physicians. Dr. Morris also provided an update on the program and resources, reviewed mid-year pulse check survey responses from faculty and resident physicians, and outlined program accomplishments. Dr. Bell and Dr. Edwards focused on the trainees’ experiences in the inpatient and ambulatory settings, respectively. Plans for future faculty events are in the works for the coming year, and any ideas regarding optimal timing for these events and topics of interest are welcomed. |
Developing Tools to Battle Burnout
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Core Faculty member Dr. Dave Duddleston led an audience into looking deeper at the issue of burnout and ideas on how to best combat it, both during residency training and beyond. Prior to the session, an anonymous Maslach Burnout Inventory survey was sent to members of the program with instructions on scoring to help determine where the group’s wellness stands. Dr. Duddleston examined the definitions, epidemiology, prevalence, and causes of burnout, as well as provided psychological and practical methods for physicians to employ that may ease the unique burdens that come with this chosen career path. Several faculty leaders were present to add their tried and true tips and tricks, as well as anecdotes from their time as medical students, residents, and attending physicians. The anonymous survey link is available to anyone who would like to take inventory of their wellbeing. It can be found at the link below: Take the anonymous Maslach Burnout Inventory survey. |
Baptist Geriatrics Program Presents Grand Rounds Lecture
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Representatives from the Baptist Memorial Medical Education Geriatrics Fellowship delivered a Grand Rounds presentation in December to the Graduate Medical Education Department at BMH-NM. Dr. Robert Burns, who serves as program director of the fellowship, and Dr. Nadia Khosrodad, a current fellow in the program, traveled from Memphis to provide training and updates in their field of specialty. Trainees within the Internal Medicine residency program at Baptist North Mississippi often see the unique challenges faced by their elderly patients, both in the inpatient and ambulatory settings. As such, Dr. Burns and Dr. Khosrodad’s expertise and insight leant itself to an excellent learning opportunity. The lecture covered topics ranging from the evaluation and management of patients with memory loss; discussion of etiology and risk factors of dementia; the differentiation between depression, delirium, and dementia and the various types of dementia. In addition, the physicians explored the personal, social and financial impacts of dementia, as well as stressed the importance of increasing awareness of community resources available to patients and their caregivers. Through Baptist’s fellowship program in Memphis, trainees prepare for a career to serve as a consultant in geriatric medicine, practice primary care geriatric medicine, as well as develop a focus in academic medicine if they choose. Learn more about the Baptist Geriatrics Fellowship. |
