Meet Baptist Golden Triangle’s First Internal Medicine Residents

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – They’re from all over the country, and many have plans on making this area their future homes, once their three year residency ends.

A new chapter is in the works for these recent med school graduates.

Their residency here at Baptist, means they’re one step closer to practicing medicine on their own.

When that happens, the hospital hopes they’ll continue practicing here.

“I’ve always wanted to help people. Somehow, someway,” says Internal Medicine Resident, Dr. Chadwick Mayes.

That’s why Mayes has worked for years to get to where he is today.

He’s following in his dad’s footsteps, and plans on staying in Mississippi, caring for Mississippians.

“I’ve learned all the history about how, you know, Mississippi has a very large population of under-served areas. My dad is in primary care and all of that stuff, so I’ve been kind of told, ‘you’re going to practice in Mississippi,’ and I’ve grown to love Mississippi, so as far as that goes, I’m staying. They can’t get rid of me if they tried.”

Resident Dr. Eileen Ramos calls the countryside of California home, and says it’s that country feel that attracted her to the Golden Triangle.

“For a lot of us, this was our first choice. So, we’re really just so happy that even the hospital chose us as their first choice, so I mean, the match is so complex and so emotional, you know? You really want to be in a place where you feel home and I know for me, that’s what I felt at the end of the interview, so it’s really like a dream come true to be here.”

Politicians may debate healthcare, but these new doctors are committed to providing the best personal care possible.

“We just have that kind of motivation to just work through it. No matter what, I’m going to be that kind of doctor who is just going to figure out the system for my patient. It doesn’t matter if there is a new a law, a new regulation, there’s restrictions, whatever, I’m going to be that person whose just going to learn it as fast as I can,” says Internal Medicine Resident, Dr. Ramos.

“Medicine is an art and for me personally, providing care and helping people, that’s the number one priority. Now, as far as the business aspect side of it, or the political aspect of it, I’m sure that will work itself out at some point or another, but from my end you know, we’re here to help people,” says Internal Medicine Resident, Dr. Medhat Hamed.

The first class will graduate in 2020.