BRG Residency Programs Ace Board Exams Amid Historic Pandemic

BATON ROUGE, La. – Today, Baton Rouge General (BRG) announced that 100 percent of its Family Medicine and Internal residents passed their board certifications exams on their first attempt for the 2021 academic year, overcoming unforeseen challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Internal Medicine Residency Program achieved a 100-percent board pass rate, an accomplishment shared by only 27 percent of programs nationwide. The Family Medicine Residency Program, led by Dr. Vincent Shaw, has maintained a 100-percent board pass rate for the sixth consecutive year.

“We remain committed to training compassionate and competent physicians who are ready to provide high-quality, patient-centered, affordable healthcare,” said Dr. Venkat Banda, Chief Academic Officer and Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. “We are grateful for the time and effort contributed by our colleagues in the community toward this goal.”

Internal medicine and family medicine residency programs typically require three-year training following medical school. Upon completion of residency, physicians take exams to obtain board certification, then begin medical practice; or continue with additional fellowship training in sub-specialties such as cardiology, geriatrics, sports medicine, etc.

Internal medicine and family medicine residency programs typically require three-year training following medical school. Upon completion of residency, physicians take exams to obtain board certification, then begin medical practice; or continue with additional fellowship training in sub-specialties such as sports medicine, geriatrics or cardiology.

After graduating from their respective residency programs this summer, 17 physicians began new careers at health systems and physician practices across the country. Six graduates remained at BRG and continue to serve our community.

BRG’s Family Medicine Residency Program graduates are, from left to right, front row, Lauren Tillery, MD, Christopher Leiker, MD, and Ellin Hossain, MD; middle row, Samuel Grimmer, MD, Mohammad Bashir, MD, Michael Dougherty, MD, and Nathan Hensler, DO; and back row, Ubaid Abbasi, MD

BRG’s Internal Medicine Residency Program graduates are, from left to right, front row, Genevieve Devany, MD, Roopitha Kaval, MD, Hailey Tarleton, MD and Srivyshnavi Surapanen, MD; and back row, Neelay Patel, MD, Anurag Gaddam, MD, Christopher Yaslik, MD, Adam McClure, MD, and Rory Panzarello, MD.

For more information on BRG’s Graduate Medical Education, visit brgeneral.org/medical-education.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with over 600 licensed beds between three campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General is affiliated with several medical school programs, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter @BRGeneral and Instagram @batonrougegeneral.

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