Forrest General Hospital’s seventh group of doctoral students completed their three-year residency with Forrest General Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency and have accepted full-time medical positions. As these graduates completed their studies, the healthcare network also welcomes its tenth class of residents. The new class of six students begin their residency on July 1 and will graduate in June 2026.
These doctors will practice at the Forrest General Hospital Family Medicine Residency Clinic located on the first floor of Hattiesburg Clinic and will rotate through many clinical departments throughout the three-year program. Additionally, the residents have an inpatient service allowing them to admit patients into the hospital as necessary and continue to provide them care.
New Residents include:
• Erica Barnes, MD – University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts and Nevis
• Henry Bloomingburg, MD – University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson
• Jonathan Breaux, MD – University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson
• Grace Gable, DO – Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus, Ala.
• Anna Sit, MD – University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson
• ShaWanda Suber, MD – American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Saint Maarten
Forrest General Hospital created this residency program in response to the growing number of retiring primary care physicians in the Pine Belt area. The retirement rate coupled with the low number of physicians staying in the state after completing their residencies resulted in a shortage of family medicine doctors in Mississippi. According to the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce (OMPW), 40 percent of all in-state physicians are over the age of 60.
This year’s class of FMRC graduates includes:
• William Fortenberry, MD, will be joining Hattiesburg Clinic, Petal
• Taylor Hairston, DO, will be joining Ochsner Health System, Long Beach
• Kaleb King, MD, will be joining Oklahoma University Health, Edmond, Oklahoma
• Michael McLarty, MD, will be joining Ochsner Health System, Long Beach
• Logan Ramsey, MD, will be joining FGH Family Medicine Residency Clinic, Hattiesburg
Dr. Rambod Rouhbakhsh, program director for the Resident Program, noted that this eighth class of residents was characterized by excellence, perseverance, resiliency, and he expects remarkable board scores. “This class came in at the height of COVID-19 and probably only had six months of normal work,” he said.
“This graduating class will undoubtedly be in the Top 5 percent of board scores. Out of 750 programs in the U.S., based on previous scores, you may be the No. 1 class in America with board scores. We all owe you a debt of gratitude.”
During graduation ceremonies June 29 at Dogwood Venue, graduates were recognized with awards. Those include:
• Chief Resident – William Fortenberry, MD
• Pediatric Care Resident of the Year – Kaleb King, MD
• Emergency Care Resident of the Year – Kaleb King, MD
• Service Resident of the Year – Taylor Hairston, DO
• Resident of the Year - William Fortenberry, MD
• FMRC Resident of the Year - Kaleb King, MD
• Adult Inpatient Resident of the Year – Logan Ramsey, MD
• Patient Advocate of the Year – Michael McLarty, MD
Residents vote as a group on two Preceptors of the Year. This year’s winners are:
• Family Medicine Residency Program Preceptor of the Year – Karen Bruce, MD
• Family Medicine Residency Program Preceptor of the Year – Jennifer Rebecca Roberts, DO
The Forrest General Hospital Family Medicine Residency is a community-based program where residents gain direct guidance and shoulder-to-shoulder experience with a seasoned team of physicians and staff. The clinic is built on a reputation of extraordinary care for all your needs – from family medicine to more serious conditions and treatments in an environment that is both nurturing and challenging.
The program’s faculty and staff hope at least 50 percent of each group of residents will choose to stay in the Pine Belt area preventing a future shortage of primary care providers. At that rate, the program will help supply the community with 30 primary care physicians every 10 years.
Residents at the Family Medicine Residency Clinic are accepting new patients of all ages. For more information about the Forrest General Family Medicine Residency program, visit www.fghfamilymedicine.com. To schedule an appointment with the Family Medicine Residency Clinic, call 601-579-3300.
