St. Bernards Medical Center Program

The Internal Medicine Residency Program at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas, is a three-year program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The program offers both a primary care and hospitalist track, providing a comprehensive educational experience.

Mission and Environment:

• Mission: The program aims to support and educate future leaders to deliver skilled, compassionate care and foster lifelong professional development.
• Supportive Environment: St. Bernards emphasizes a collegiate atmosphere with a focus on education, community well-being, and professional advancement.
• Recent Fellowship Matches: The Class of 2024 had a 100% match rate, with graduates securing various fellowships across the country.

Program Director:

• Abhijit Shivkumar, MD: As the Internal Medicine Residency Director, Dr. Shivkumar is dedicated to advocating for residents, providing learning opportunities, and ensuring a structured yet fair educational environment.

Education and Opportunities:

• Leadership Opportunities: Residents have early autonomy, progressively take on leadership roles, and can serve as chief residents in their final year.
• Specialty Training Support: While St. Bernards doesn't offer fellowships, they arrange shadowing opportunities, rotations, and support for aspiring specialists.

Rotations and Curriculum:

• Rotations: Residents experience a wide range of rotations, including general medicine wards, ICU, outpatient clinic, and night float.
• Didactics: Programs include lectures, board prep sessions, case presentations, tumor boards, and more, to enhance learning.
• Research and Scholarly Activities: Residents lead grand rounds, participate in clinical studies, present at conferences, and get exposure to research trials.

Resident Life:

• Wellness Support: Mental health services, faculty support, and resident-led wellness committees promote a positive and supportive resident life.
• Location Advantages: Jonesboro offers a vibrant city life with cultural activities, outdoor adventures, parks, and proximity to the Ozarks Mountains.

Residents Highlights (Class of 2023):

• Austin Richardson, DO: Pulmonology/Critical Care Fellowship, Ohio Health Doctors Hospital, Columbus, OH.
• Hadia Arzoun, MD: Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship, University of Kentucky at Bowling Green, Bowling Green, KY.
• Siji Thomas, MD: Geriatrics Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
• Carter Lee, DO: Outpatient Physician, St. Bernards Clopton Clinic, Jonesboro, AR.
• Derek Childers, MD: Nocturnist, NWA Medical Center, Bentonville, AR.
• Anna De Feria, DO: Nocturnist, Physicians Regional Hospital, Naples, FL.
• John Armstrong, DO: Outpatient Physician, Phelps Health, Rolla, MO.
• Josh Buell, DO: Hospitalist, Southeast Hospital, Cape Girardeau, MO.

St. Bernards Medical Center's Internal Medicine Residency Program offers a supportive, educational environment with diverse opportunities for residents to excel in their careers.