MOULTRIE, GA —The event marked 10 years since Georgia South welcomed its first class of Family Medicine residents in June 2016. Over the past decade, graduate medical education has grown from a single residency program into a thriving educational enterprise that continues to strengthen healthcare across South Georgia.
“Over the past 10 years, graduate medical education has transformed healthcare in our region,” said Colquitt Regional President and CEO Jim Matney. “What started with a vision to train physicians in South Georgia has grown into a program that is developing future healthcare leaders while improving access to care for the communities we serve. As we celebrate this milestone, we are also excited to welcome the next generation of residents to Georgia South.”
This year’s celebration recognized several significant milestones, including the graduation of the inaugural Psychiatry Residency class, the addition of the Georgia South Obstetrics and Gynecology Rural Track, and the arrival of the eleventh class of Family Medicine residents and fifth class of Psychiatry residents.
The incoming Family Medicine residents include Greg Rasmussen, DO, Jacob Winchester, DO, Paul Yermachenkov, MD, and Toluwani Adebisi, MD.
Rasmussen earned his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to medical school, he attended Valdosta State University where he earned a degree in biology. He is originally from Hahira, Georgia.
Winchester, a Georgia native, earned his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his undergraduate studies at Columbus State University receiving a degree in biology.
Yermachenkov attended medical school at Trinity School of Medicine and earned his undergraduate degree from Grand Canyon University. He is originally from Salem, Oregon.
Adebisi, who hails from Atlanta, Georgia, received his medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine. Prior to that, he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida, earning a degree in psychology.
“We are excited to welcome the eleventh class of physicians to the Georgia South Family Medicine Residency,” said Georgia South Family Medicine Residency Program Director Kirby Smith, DO. “They follow more than 25 outstanding family physicians who have trained in our program and are already making a meaningful difference in communities across our region. Our mission of training and retaining high-quality, board-certified family physicians is changing healthcare in Colquitt County, and we are honored to welcome these new residents to our community, knowing they will contribute in remarkable ways.”
The fifth class of Psychiatry residents includes Richard Griggs, MD, Francis Chiefe, DO, and Elyse Kyle, DO.
Griggs earned his medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and completed his undergraduate studies at AdventHealth University. He is originally from Orlando, Florida.
Chiefe, a native of Flowery Branch, Georgia, attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia State University.
Kyle received her medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee. She is originally from Shelbyville, Tennessee.
“The continued growth of our residency programs reflects our commitment to training compassionate, highly skilled physicians for rural and community-based medicine,” said Psychiatry Residency Program Director Lisa Rudolph-Watson, MD. “We are excited to welcome this year’s residents and support them throughout their journey.”
Georgia South also proudly welcomed its first Obstetrics and Gynecology Rural Track resident, Tyler Key, DO, a Moultrie native, who will train through the new partnership with Wellstar Kennestone. The rural track is designed to prepare physicians to provide comprehensive women’s healthcare while expanding access to obstetrical and gynecologic services in underserved communities.
As part of tradition, each incoming resident received their white coat during the ceremony. This symbolic presentation was conducted by Rudolph-Watson, Smith, Family Medicine Associate Program Director Kayla Batchelor, DO, and Psychiatry Associate Program Director Kent Posey, MD.
The evening also included the presentation of two prestigious teaching awards. The Family Medicine Preceptor of the Year was awarded to emergency medicine physician David Carle, MD, EMT-P, FACEP, and the Psychiatry Preceptor of the Year was presented to neurologist Kent Posey, MD.
These awards, voted on by current residents, recognize physicians who demonstrate exceptional commitment to education and mentorship.
A new honor was also introduced this year with the presentation of the inaugural Resident of the Year Awards. Presented by Georgia South Chief Academic Officer Woodwin Weeks, DO, the awards recognize residents who exemplify professionalism, leadership, academic excellence, and a commitment to patient care. Family Medicine resident Kevin Bhagratie, MD, and graduating Psychiatry resident Anthony Cimmino, MD, were named the first recipients of the award.
As part of the 10-Year Celebration, Georgia South also recognized another historic milestone—the graduation of its inaugural Psychiatry Residency class, alongside the program’s eighth graduating class of Family Medicine residents. Separate graduation ceremonies will be held later this month.
The graduating Family Medicine class of 2026 includes Christian Edwards, DO, Shelby Flowers, DO, Carol Medina, MD, and Allison Tresner, DO.
The graduating Psychiatry class of 2026 includes Anthony Cimmino, MD, Xuan Ouyang, DO, and Richard Tricardo, MD.
“Georgia South continues to grow because of the strong support from our hospital, faculty, and community,” said Hospital Authority Chairman John Griffin. “These residents represent the future of healthcare, and we are proud to welcome them to our community while investing in the next generation of physicians.”
