PGY1 Residents
Brittany Bennett, M.D.
PGY1 Resident
Hometown: Paducah, KY
Undergrad: University of Mississippi
Medical School: University of Louisville
Personal Note
I was born and raised in Paducah, Kentucky, before heading to the University of Mississippi for my undergraduate education and then earning my medical degree from the University of Louisville. I always knew I wanted to pursue family medicine, but throughout medical school I realized I wanted a program that would prepare me to practice the full scope of the specialty from delivering babies and caring for athletes, to practicing both inpatient and outpatient medicine. Self Regional stood out after hearing so many incredible things about the program from several alumni, and my interview confirmed everything I had heard. As I got to know the residents and faculty, it became clear that their welcoming culture, enthusiasm, and commitment to exceptional training made Self Regional the perfect place for me to spend the next three years. Outside of medicine, I enjoy running, spending time on the lake, playing with my black Lab, Ruff, and cheering on the Ole Miss Rebels. Hotty Toddy!
Bernadette “Bernie” Ebri, M.D.
PGY1 Resident
Hometown: Brunswick, GA
Undergrad: Miami University (OH)
Grad School: Duke Divinity School
Medical School: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Personal Note
While North Carolina has been home for almost a decade now, I grew up on the coast in Brunswick, GA. In addition to being beautiful, Brunswick was a great place to grow up because it taught me what it means to truly be part of a community. I left the South (but ultimately came back!) to go to college at Miami University in Ohio (Love and Honor!) where I majored in Biochemistry and Family Science. I fell in love with medicine and the ways it can support families in college during summers spent as a camp counselor serving kids with serious illnesses. It was around the same time that my parents moved to North Carolina, so I ended up at the University of North Carolina for medical school. On the family medicine interview trail, I was looking for a place where the people were kind, smart, fun to be around, but most of all, humble. Eventually, I realized that the people here at Self were all those things and so much more. I can’t think of a better place to train as a family medicine physician! I love baking and watching rom-coms, and I am happiest when I’m at a farmer’s market, bookstore, or coffee shop. I can’t wait to explore all that Greenwood has to offer!
Matthew Germroth, M.D.
PGY1 Resident
Hometown: Cottageville, SC
Undergrad: Charleston Southern University
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Personal Note
I was born and raised in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, growing up in the small town of Cottageville just outside of Walterboro. Spending my childhood riding horses, hunting, camping, and exploring the local waterways gave me a deep appreciation for rural communities and the people who call them home. I attended Charleston Southern University (Go Bucs!), where I majored in Biochemistry, before heading to the University of South Carolina for medical school. Growing up in a rural community, I always admired my family physician, not only for the care they provided, but for the lasting impact they had on the well being and stability of our community. As a fourth-year medical student, I knew I wanted a residency that would prepare me to practice the kind of broad-spectrum family medicine communities like my own needed. Self Regional specifically stood out for its commitment to excellence in not only primary care, but obstetrics, women’s health, pediatrics, and sports medicine. What ultimately sold me on the program was the people. After completing an audition here I saw that the faculty and residents were genuinely invested in helping each other grow while creating a supportive, respectful, and enjoyable learning environment. I knew I wouldn’t be happy training anywhere else and am so thankful I get to grow into the physician I’ve always wanted to be here! Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, watching a good film, playing guitar, and staying active with soccer, tennis, pickleball, or any excuse to get outdoors.
Parker Helms, M.D.
PGY1 Resident
Hometown: Cartersville, GA
Undergrad: University of Georgia
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Personal Note
Hey there! My name is Parker Helms, and I am from Cartersville, GA. Following high school, I attended the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs) where I studied biology and philosophy before beginning medical school at the Medical College of Georgia Partnership campus in Athens, GA (Go Dawgs, again). Through the advice of great friends and faculty in Family Medicine, I made my way to Greenwood and could not be happier to be here! Since the start of medical school, I knew I wanted to practice family medicine in a rural area treating patients of all ages and stages of life. I am so blessed that Self Regional Family Medicine provides the opportunities and experiences to gain the skills I will need for this goal right here in the Southeast! What really makes this program shine are the people you get to work with as a resident. From faculty to clinic staff, I am blessed to be around great folks who support and encourage me on my journey as a physician. Here in Greenwood, I enjoy spending my time walking the local nature trails and hanging with friends uptown. I can’t wait to spend the next three years finding all Greenwood has to offer!
Alexander McKay, M.D.
PGY1 Resident
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Undergrad: University of South Carolina Columbia
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia
Personal Note
I grew up in Irmo, SC outside of Columbia. My dad is also a Family Medicine physician, and had the benefit of full-scope training when he was a resident; His love for what he does inspired me to follow his footsteps and pursue medicine as a career. While attending USC for undergrad, I met my wife Cara through our church’s college ministry and we just celebrated our 4th anniversary. From there, I attended medical school in Columbia and found my desire to practice Family Medicine to be confirmed; also became friends with two of my future co-residents in the process! During my M4 year, I wanted to take the opportunity to do some away rotations to see what training would be like in a full-scope unopposed Family Medicine Residency. Rotating at Self was a very affirming experience. The level of training you receive to practice the different facets of Family Medicine is unsurpassed, and the community of residents was so welcoming and made me feel like part of their resident family. My wife was initially uncertain about the prospect of moving to Greenwood, but all it took was one trip and we saw how genuine the people are and how they cared not only about me coming to the program, but also that my wife would feel just as excited with the transition. I chose Self because Family Medicine is one of the most challenging specialties given its broad scope, and I knew I needed a program that would stretch me and give me the reps of seeing patients and performing procedures that I need to be successful as an attending. Cara and I are so thankful that the Lord has led us to be a part of the Greenwood Family, and we look forward to getting to know you!
Daniel Newton, M.D.
PGY1 Resident
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Undergrad: University of Georgia
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Personal Note
Born and raised in Augusta, GA, I attended the Medical College of Georgia after graduating from UGA (and getting to celebrate the first of back-to-back national championships. Go Dawgs!). My wife Tess is a Pediatric NP, and we are so excited to be in Greenwood! One of our favorite attributes about Self Regional is how they welcome and support spouses, which will be invaluable during this unique time in our lives. Another remarkable attribute of the program is one that I discovered during my Family Medicine rotation at Christ Community Health. I was amazed not only by the clinical skill and acumen of the physicians, but also by their consistent demonstration of love and self-sacrifice for their patients, which is a combination rarely seen in today’s medical world. Whenever I asked any of them where they trained, the answer was the same: Self Regional in Greenwood, SC. I knew that if I wanted to be like them, the best thing I could do is train at the place that helped shape them, and I am grateful to join this legacy of excellence that offers such a wide range of exposure and experience. God has led Tess and me on a wonderful journey through life, and I can’t wait to see what He has in store during our time in Greenwood! When I’m not at work, you can find me playing soccer, pickleball, or basketball, or hanging out with Tess and our goldendoodle, Georgia!
Brandon Patrick, M.D.
PGY1 Resident
Hometown: Victoria, BC
Undergrad: University of South Carolina Columbia
Medical School: University of South Carolina Columbia
Personal Note
Although I jokingly say I’m from nowhere, I’ve been lucky to have a few places I call home. I was born in Puerto Rico but spent the first ten years of my life in Canada, mainly on Vancouver Island- my first home. I’ve lived in FL, AZ, and in 2010 my family moved to Lexington, South Carolina, which became my second home. I joined the SC Army National Guard and long story short, I became a proud Gamecock majoring in Exercise Science. I didn’t know I wanted to be a physician until my sophomore year. USC’s School of Public Health helped me realize I wanted to be a jack of all trades, a leader in my community, and to teach about lifestyle and preventative medicine.I was lucky to stay close to my family and friends when I continued on at USC’s School of Medicine. Before starting I met my wonderful now-fiancée Sumi. Some of my classmates would quickly become lifelong friends, including my now co-interns Matthew Germroth and Alex McKay. When the time came to interview at Self Regional, I was blown away by the intentionality and effort they put into each applicant. I wanted to come here because of the people, the strong unopposed training, and quality of didactics. The residents were not only confident and capable, but also warm and welcoming to Sumi and I. Despite working so hard, they were all cheerful and genuinely enjoyed each others’ company throughout the interview and second look. It was easy to choose Self Regional and Greenwood, and I feel happy to call this my new home.In my free time, I enjoy photography, music, building and painting miniatures, and video games. I love any chance I can get to travel and to be on a boat!
Joshua Rivers, M.D.
PGY1 Resident
Hometown: Paluxy, Texas
Undergrad: Samford University
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Personal Note
Hey everyone! My name is Joshua Rivers, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Self Regional family. I’m originally from Texas, but I’ve always considered the Southeast home. I chose Family Medicine because of one word: variety. I loved the idea of not pigeonholing myself into one specific patient population or area of medicine. Family Medicine gave me the opportunity to care for patients across all stages of life and the freedom to practice in a variety of settings—from inpatient and outpatient medicine to sideline coverage. When considering residency programs, I wanted a place that trained top-shelf family physicians while truly embracing the breadth that the specialty has to offer. Self Regional fulfilled that desire and then some. I was amazed by the depth of training residents receive in obstetrics, pediatrics, sports, and adult medicine. From the very first meet-and-greet on interview day, I immediately felt at home and knew I wanted to be a part of this program. Outside of medicine, you can usually find me in the gym doom scrolling between sets. I enjoy playing video games—usually in pursuit of a Victory Royale—and getting lost in a good TV series, with my loyalty to House Stark remaining unwavering. There’s also rarely a moment when I don’t have music playing, with Drake making up an admittedly embarrassing percentage of my playlist. I’m excited to call Greenwood home and spend the next few years growing as a physician, building lifelong relationships, and becoming part of the Self Regional community!
Mark Rowan, D.O.
PGY1 Resident
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
Undergrad: Cedarville University
Medical School: VCOM Carolinas
Personal Note
I grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina as one of seven children. After soccer took me up to Ohio for college, I returned back to the Carolinas and attended medical school at VCOM in Spartanburg, SC. I met my lovely wife Alayna during college and she has been the greatest friend, helper, and encourager I could ever ask for. We now have two children and are thrilled that the Lord has placed us in Greenwood. Outside of medicine I enjoy home projects, working out, and anything beach-related. I knew very little about Self Regional when I applied, but after my interview day we were convinced that Self would be perfect for our family. The welcoming people, continual pursuit of excellence, and rigorous full spectrum training make this place unique and a good fit for anyone who desires to become a competent full-scope physician. We are very grateful to be joining such a great community.
Cameron White, D.O.
PGY1 Resident
Hometown: Cayce, SC
Undergrad: Emory University
Medical School: Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Personal Note
I am from Cayce, right across the bridge from downtown Columbia, South Carolina. I attended Emory University for undergrad. After graduating, I worked for several years before medical school and developed a passion for mental healthcare and personally connecting with patients. I attended medical school in Wichita, Kansas and learned to love the plains as much as my home in the South. Greenwood stood out to me during my residency search. It had the small town environment I had learned to love out west, but in the south close to home. The hospital and program stood out for its unique willingness to train truly full spectrum family medicine physicians. The warmth of the attendings and residents here stood out to me as well. I was thrilled on match day and haven’t looked back.
PGY2 Residents
Faith Brown, D.O.
PGY2 Resident
Hometown: Johnstown, Colorado
Undergrad: Grove City College
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine- Bradenton, FL Campus
Personal Note
I grew up in Johnstown, Colorado, a small, rural town in Northern Colorado. Being that we were close to the mountains, I loved being constantly outside biking, hiking, skiing, and playing sports. My parents instilled an appreciation for God’s creation and our local community. After moving to Grove City, Pennsylvania for college, I found great mentorship, life-long friends, and my husband, Josh. During college, I went to the Global Missions Health Conference and completed the Perspectives missions course. These things, in addition with God’s leading, revealed that Josh and I have been called to international missions, and we intend to follow that leading after residency.
I then moved to Bradenton, Florida to complete medical school, which was a special time to enjoy the ocean, beach volleyball, and play pickleball. After moving all around during my schooling, I realized that residency was going to be more than just medical training for me- these people would also be my family. Being a little ambitious during my 4th year, I completed 7 different sub-I’s at different family medicine programs, and I couldn’t help but compare every program to the training I saw at Self. There was nowhere else that met the high standards for full-scope family medicine while also providing amazing support from faculty and fellow residents. I knew I was going to be valued and appreciated here, and I knew that I would have an abundance of learning opportunities inpatient, in OB, with procedures, and more. The Lord has truly blessed me and my husband by bringing us to this program, and I know I will continue to grow into a strong, competent physician through my time in residency.
Chip Chambers, M.D.
PGY2 Resident
Hometown: Watkinsville, GA
Undergrad: University of Georgia
Graduate School: Wharton School of Business (MBA)
Medical School: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Personal Note
Hey y’all! I grew up outside Athens, GA and have been a dawg fan my whole life. It was a dream to get to go to UGA while rooting on the dawgs, which is also where I fell in love with medicine and felt God calling me into it. After studying biology, economics, and public health at Georgia, I got a dual MD/MBA at UPenn in Philadelphia (go birds) with a concentration in healthcare management. My dream is to help design excellent healthcare systems that deliver high-value patient care, improve population health, lower healthcare costs, and are a joy to work in.
I applied to full-spectrum Family Med programs all over the nation, and I simply couldn’t find anywhere with better training or better people. The clinical experience we get here, from medicine to OB to Peds to procedures, absolutely blew me away, but the people clinched it for me. A mentor told me to look for programs where you look at the attendings and think “I want to be like them, not just medically, but as people” because you will inevitably become like those who train you. When I looked at the faculty and upper level residents at Self, I thought “yep that’s here.”
Brittany Michelle Combs, M.D.
PGY2 Resident
Hometown: Lyman, SC
Undergrad: USC Upstate, Spartanburg SC
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Personal Note
Personal Note: I was born and raised in Upstate South Carolina. I attended University of South Carolina- Upstate in Spartanburg South Carolina, where I majored in biology and minored in psychology. I ventured to the beautiful island of Sint Marteen for medical school, where I attended American University of the Caribbean. Outside of medicine, I am a solar powered human! I find sanctuary in nature and enjoy spending my free time out in the wilderness. My favorite activities are fishing, hiking, and chasing waterfalls.
Growing up in rural South Carolina exposed me to the disparities in rural communities and sparked my interest in full spectrum Family Medicine. After my interview with Self Regional Healthcare, I was inspired by the palpable passion of the residents and the programs supportive family atmosphere. I felt this program offered an unmatched opportunity in full spectrum training and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the Self family!
Tyler Engle, D.O.
PGY2 Resident
Hometown: Barbourville KY
Undergrad: University of the Cumberlands
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Personal Note
I grew up in Southeastern Kentucky in a small town called Barbourville. I majored in Biology at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and went on to attend medical school at LMU-DCOM. During an elective rotation, I met my now-wife, Bailey, who recently started as a Physician Assistant at the Self Regional ENT office. In my free time, I enjoy playing golf, going to the gym, spending time with Bailey and our goldendoodle, Solo, and cheering on Boston sports teams.
Self-Regional first came onto my radar through a friend who recently graduated from the program and spoke highly of his experience. He is now a strong, well-rounded family physician. When we visited Greenwood for interviews, we were impressed by the town, the residents, and the faculty. Ultimately, Self Regional offered the rigorous, community-based training environment I was looking for.
Emma Harrison, M.D.
PGY2 Resident
Hometown: Staunton, Virginia
Undergrad: University of Virginia
Medical School: University of Virginia
Personal Note
I am so excited for the opportunity to train at Self Regional Family Medicine Residency! I am from Staunton, Virginia, a small town nestled in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. I completed both my undergraduate and medical school at UVA, just 30 minutes from my hometown. I can’t think of a better place to be or with a more supportive group of people than here in Greenwood! I chose this program because of the genuine kindness, deep commitment to serving their community, and the clear joy in their work that radiated from each person I met on my interview day. This program’s incredible people and exceptional full-spectrum family medicine training with an emphasis on rural healthcare made it clear that Self Regional was where I wanted to be for residency. I am especially interested in women’s health and obstetrics for the underserved and I am excited to continue learning and growing in those areas during residency training.
Outside of work, I love to spend time doing anything active and in the sunshine, whether that be running, hiking, walking, yoga, or trying to figure out how to keep both my flowers and my two sassy cats alive and well. I also enjoy a good meal out on the town, the occasional trashy reality tv show, and precious time with friends and family!
Kaitlyn Hull, M.D.
PGY2 Resident
Hometown: Newtown, CT
Undergrad: Clemson University
Med school: MUSC- AnMed campus
Personal Note
Growing up in CT, I never quite got used to the long, brutal winters – despite how pretty every fall was. My family often vacationed in North Myrtle Beach, and I knew early on that I wanted to end up somewhere in that area. When I toured Clemson University, I immediately fell in love with the campus and the energy of the student body. Although I wasn’t sure exactly what career I wanted to pursue at first, I’d always known I wanted a career in STEM. I majored in Genetics and Psychology at Clemson. By the end of my sophomore year, I realized I wanted to become a physician.
It didn’t take long for me to discover that primary care was the perfect fit. I love the variety, continuity, and community-focus of family medicine. During undergrad, I spent a summer interning at the Greenwood Genetic Center. When I learned about the fantastic full-scope family medicine residency program at Self Regional in Greenwood, it felt like everything had come full circle. From my first interaction with the residents and attendings, I could tell that this was a place where people truly support one another—both professionally and personally.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my dog (Bella!), reading, cooking, and anything crafty.
Spencer Gibbs, M.D.
PGY2 Resident
Hometown: Ranburne, AL
Undergrad: Auburn University
Medical School: UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Personal Note
I grew up in a small, close-knit town in Alabama. I went on to attend Auburn University for my undergraduate degree, where I majored in Poultry Science. It was at Auburn that I met my wife, Brooke, who is my better half in every way. After a brief time working in the agriculture industry, I headed to UAB School of Medicine in Birmingham, AL. I was fortunate enough to complete most of my clinical experiences in Huntsville, AL as part of the rural medicine program. It was a combination of my background and outstanding family medicine preceptors that made family medicine the clear choice. I enjoy being outdoors, fly fishing, reading, cooking and spending time with family.
When looking for programs, I was focused on finding an unopposed program that would prepare me for rural family medicine. A friend of mine recommended looking at Self. Self stood out during the interview season due to their ability to train extremely competent physicians for any career path in a welcoming, enjoyable environment. The sports medicine curriculum was another strong point. The program made my wife and I feel welcomed from the start. The support of the faculty, staff, and co-residents both professional and personally is one the many selling points of the program. We are blessed with the opportunity to call Greenwood and Self Regional home for the next three years.
Kelley Goforth, D.O.
PGY2 Resident
Hometown: Riverview, FL
Undergrad: Pensacola Christian College
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM)
Personal Note
I was born in Columbia, SC, but spent most of my growing up years in Riverview, FL, just outside of Tampa, with my parents and four sisters. Medicine was never on my radar growing up, but somehow I ended up trading the Florida beaches for the Blue Ridge mountains, landing in Lynchburg, VA, for medical school. At my church in VA, I met and quickly fell in love with my husband, Malachi. Together, we enjoy serving together in our local church, hiking, volleyball, basketball, coffee dates, cooking, escape rooms and board games. Malachi currently serves as a chaplain at Self Regional, so now we get the privilege of randomly seeing each other throughout our busy days!
We are both thrilled to call Greenwood home. Choosing Self was an easy decision—the training is excellent, and the community welcomed us both from day one. One of my greatest desires in choosing a program was that both Malachi and I would be supported in life, not just medicine; and God gave us so much more than we could have ever asked for! Self is one of the few full-spectrum Family Medicine residencies that combines such demanding training with an incredible overall experience.
My long-term goal is to practice outpatient family medicine with a focus on caring for underserved populations, whether here in the U.S. or abroad.
In my free time, I enjoy music, playing guitar, long naps on the couch, and just about any recreational sport. And outside of family medicine, some of my greatest joys are my family, being called “Aunt Kelley,” and fruit roll-ups.
Jessica Lewis, M.D.
PGY2 Resident
Hometown: Columbus, GA
Undergrad: The University of Georgia
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Personal Note
I am originally from Columbus, Georgia, and studied Exercise and Sport Science at The University of Georgia. I spent a lot of my free time in Athens serving as a YoungLife leader and cheering on the dawgs. After graduation, I worked as a medical assistant in Atlanta, which confirmed my desire to become a family physician. I also met my husband during that time and eventually we returned home to Columbus for medical school.
We chose Self Regional for many reasons, but what stood out the most was the training. During interview season it was obvious to me that the residents here were confident, capable, and genuinely seemed to enjoy their time. It felt like the kind of environment where I could grow into the physician I have always hoped to be. Outside of medicine, I love being outdoors, whether that’s playing tennis or pickleball, walking my dog at the park, or just spending time with family and friends. Recently we have loved spending days off at Lake Greenwood!
Payton Phillips, M.D.
PGY2 Resident
Hometown: Winterville, GA
Undergrad: University of Georgia
Medical school: Mercer University School of Medicine
Personal Note
I grew up on a cattle and horse farm in a small rural area outside of Winterville, GA. I am an identical triplet. I am very passionate about my Christian faith and going to church. My hobbies include rescuing miniature ponies (I have 3 –Rocky, Penny, and Beulah Belle), spending time with my dog, Mollie, cooking, and baking. I love listening to music from different kinds of decades, genres, countries, and formats. I also love watching movies, especially 80s and 90s thrillers. I knew from the beginning that I was going to use my career as a physician to serve rural, underserved communities. From the second I interviewed here, I knew Self Regional would help me accomplish that goal! I also chose Self Regional because this program is full of good-hearted people with kind souls and selfless mindsets. They support one another while pushing you to become your best.
PGY3 Residents
Houston Earnest, M.D.
PGY3 Resident
Hometown: Cumming, GA
Undergrad: UGA
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia – Athens Campus
Personal Note
I grew up in Cumming, GA which is in the suburbs just north of Atlanta. I went to undergrad at UGA and immediately fell in love with Athens, GA. While in college, I majored in Biology and Psychology and spent most of my time outside of the classroom serving as a Young Life leader. For medical school, I went to the Medical College of Georgia, electing to stay in Athens at the AU/UGA Medical Partnership. While at UGA, I met and fell in love with my now wife, Anna. She is a school counselor and in her free time loves reading and planning our next big trip! We also just added a new puppy, Benny, to our family. In my free time I enjoy playing disc golf, running, and any recreational sport.
We chose Self Regional for a number of reasons. The full-spectrum, unopposed training is truly second to none. The graduates of this program are equipped to do anything in the wide realm of family medicine. Additionally, all the residents and faculty went above and beyond to make both me and Anna feel like family. I know that at Self I will become an incredibly competent physician, while also being encouraged to be a better man, husband, and neighbor. We are thrilled to join the incredible community in Greenwood!
Grace Flanagan, M.D.
PGY3 Resident
Hometown: Cecilia, KY
Undergrad: Furman University
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Personal Note
I grew up near Elizabethtown, KY before heading down to South Carolina for the first time to attend Furman University where I majored in Chemistry. I quickly fell in love with the area and knew it was a place I’d want to return to one day. I moved back to Kentucky at the beginning of the pandemic right before starting medical school. I’ve been living in Lexington for the past four years where I’ve enjoyed going to Keeneland horse racing, playing pickleball and golf, and visiting local restaurants and coffee shops.
When applying for residency, I was looking for a close community with a rigorous curriculum to learn broad-spectrum family medicine. Self Regional appeared on my radar after hearing multiple endorsements from friends who have rotated here during their medical school journeys. I quickly came to realize that this program had everything that I’m looking for and would be the perfect fit for me to continue my medical education.
William “Will” Kelly, M.D.
PGY3 Resident
Hometown: Concord, NC
Undergrad: Clemson University
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia
Personal Note
I was born and raised in Concord, NC before heading to Clemson University for undergrad (Go Tigers). I always knew I wanted to become a doctor, and was fortunate to have multiple doctors in the family who all set a great example for me growing up. At Clemson I met my future wife Virginia, the woman who is my better half in every way. During medical school at USC in Columbia, I found an amazing Christian community and built friendships for life. I am highly interested in the role of nutrition and exercise in healthcare. I love being outdoors and playing sports.
Self stood out for us during the interview season, with the level of detail being above and beyond at every turn. Physicians in the community all across the state talked about how great the training was, and how prepared graduates of the program were for all kinds of practice. The people at Self were so genuine at every step, making us feel as home from the start. We feel blessed to join this amazing team.
Galatians 6:14
Kirsten Pesayanavin, M.D.
PGY3 Resident
Hometown: Walkertown, NC
Undergrad: North Greenville University
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville
Personal Note
I was born and raised in Walkertown, NC, just outside of Winston-Salem. Early on, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. This pursuit took me to North Greenville University, and I decided to stay in South Carolina for medical school in Greenville. Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, hiking, playing soccer and volleyball, practicing Brazilian jiu jitsu, and hanging out with my cat, Twitter. I also enjoy teaching women’s self defense and jiu jitsu classes.
Growing up, I always had an interest in Global health and medical missions. Then, during a volunteer trip to West Virginia, I developed a passion for rural health and community medicine. Throughout various volunteer trips, I learned the value, especially as a family physician, of working alongside individuals to create sustainable healthy lifestyle choices. When choosing a residency program, I desired a rigorous program that also emphasized rural and global health. Additionally, I was interested in a program with a robust sports medicine program as I participated in several sports growing up and would assist my dad, an athletic trainer, on the sidelines.
During my family medicine rotation at Self Regional, I felt that this residency program embodied everything I could ask for in a program and more. I thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone at Self Regional, and I am excited to be a part of the Self Regional Family!
Clayton “Clay” Ream, D.O.
PGY3 Resident
Hometown: Wentzville, MO
Undergrad: North Dakota State University
Medical School: Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas
Personal Note
I grew up in Wentzville, MO, just outside of St. Louis, with my parents and two older brothers. My wrestling career took me to North Dakota State University where I received my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. While in North Dakota, I married my high school sweetheart, Meghan. Meghan had career opportunities in Asheville, NC, and we moved to the southeast. From there I went to medical school in Spartanburg, SC. Outside of medicine, I like to disc golf, go to the beach, and play video games and board games.
The reason I decided to go into Family Medicine was the connections you get to make with the community. I am excited to be part of the Self Regional residency program. I had the opportunity to spend a month during my 3rd year at the program, and I was blown away by the ability of all the residents, and the community the program had. The program also has an amazing sports medicine curriculum with fellowship exposure. Looking forward to being a part of the Self Regional team and learning a lot!
Lindsey Richardson, D.O.
PGY3 Resident, Chief Resident
Hometown: Little Mountain, South Carolina
Undergrad: Clemson University
Medical School: VCOM – Carolinas
Personal Note
I was born and raised in South Carolina with my parents and younger sister. I attended college at Clemson University where I received my B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Psychology. After graduation, I took a gap year working as a TA at Clemson before attending medical school at VCOM – Carolinas in Spartanburg, SC. It was here that I met my fiancé and best friend, Ash Singh, who I couples matched into this program with.
During my third year of medical school, I spent my family medicine rotation working in a rural, full spectrum clinic located about 15 minutes from the house I grew up in. This experience solidified my desire to practice full spectrum medicine. Self Regional’s reputation of providing unopposed, comprehensive training is what initially led me to apply for an acting internship during my 4th year. Throughout the month, I learned that the residents were not only extremely competent physicians, but welcoming and down-to-earth individuals as well.
In my free time you can find me spending time with my family/friends, sitting in a rocking chair with my cat (George), reading a book on my e-reader, or watching a true crime documentary on Netflix.
Katie Sahlstrom, D.O.
PGY3 Resident
Hometown: Tulsa, OK
Undergrad: University of Oklahoma
Medical School: Oklahoma State University COM at Cherokee Nation
Personal Note
I was born in Chengdu, China and grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Growing up, I knew that I wanted to be a physician and pursue a medical degree. I am currently interested in working with a geriatric population and helping people age well. I would also love to offer palliative services in my future practice. When thinking about future specialties and residencies, I knew that a full scope, unopposed family medicine program would provide the foundation I need to become the best physician I could and accomplish my goals.
When I did a rotation at Self Regional during my fourth year, the training I saw their residents undergo and the amazing community the faculty and residents had with each other made me feel that this program would be a perfect fit for me. I look forward to seeing what all the Lord has for me at Self Regional and cannot wait to grow more as a budding physician.
Kaitlyn Shillinglaw, D.O.
PGY3 Resident, Chief Resident
Hometown: Darlington, SC
Undergrad: Clemson University
Medical School: VCOM – Carolinas Campus
Personal Note
I was born and raised in Darlington, South Carolina, and grew to love the small-town life. I went to college at Clemson University (another small town, but probably more familiar to some) where I graduated with my B.S. in Microbiology. I’ve always known I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, but it wasn’t until I took a clinical application course at Clemson that I knew I wanted to become a physician. I then attended medical school at Edward via College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Carolinas Campus in Spartanburg, SC where I met some of the most amazing people, 3 of whom matched here as well and I now get to call co-residents!
In my fourth year of medical school, I actually had the opportunity to complete a rotation at Self Regional. This is when I fell in love with the program and all the people who made it so wonderful. Self Regional’s commitment to a comprehensive education in broad-scope family medicine stood out to me from my very first day, and I knew I wanted to be a part of this program.
Outside of school; I am a lover of all things small-town South Carolina, I love spending time with my friends and family (especially my dog, named Sushi), going to the beach, reading, and traveling. I do consider myself quite the foodie and love traveling to new places and trying different food!
Ashmeet “Ash” Singh, D.O.
PGY3 Resident
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Undergrad: Rhodes College
Medical School: VCOM-Carolinas
Personal Note
Hey everyone, I’m Ash! Although I claim Memphis as my hometown, I’ve moved around every four years of my life, living in places like New York City, Little Rock, and Jackson. I went to Rhodes College for undergrad where I graduated with a BS in biology with a minor in Spanish. Most recently, I was in Spartanburg, SC for medical school where I had the incredible luck of meeting Lindsey – my fiancée, co-resident, and much smarter half.
Choosing Greenwood for residency was a no-brainer for us, especially since the Self family embraced us as one of their own during our rotations there. In my free time, you’ll ll often find me playing video games, tinkering on the guitar or
piano and, of course, hiking.
Hal “Hil” Tanner, M.D.
PGY3 Resident
Hometown: Goldsboro, NC
Undergrad: Wake Forest University
Grad School: UNC-Greensboro
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Personal Note
I grew up in Goldsboro, NC with my parents and three sisters. I graduated from Wake Forest University, where I was lucky enough to meet my amazing wife Corey. I spent several years working as an EMT for Forsyth County, NC before heading off to medical school at St. George’s University. My wife gave birth to our son, Henry, during my third year of medical school while completing my clinical rotations in Toledo, OH. I love spending time with my wife, son, and family, as well as pretty much anything to do with hunting, fishing, and sports.
We didn’t know much about Self Regional or Greenwood when I applied, but after my interview we had no doubt that it was the perfect fit for our family. I knew that this program would challenge me and provide comprehensive training that would prepare me for any career path, but I also came to appreciate that the faculty, residents, and staff have a genuine interest in the residents and their families that goes beyond medicine. We are thankful to be a part of such a special place.
