Douglas, GA (March 25, 2026) – Coffee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is proud to announce that all five positions in its inaugural Internal Medicine Residency Program have been filled for the program’s first class, which will begin training in July 2026.
The announcement follows the nationwide residency Match Day, the annual event when graduating medical students learn where they will complete their residency training. CRMC successfully filled all five available positions through the National Resident Matching Program, marking an exciting milestone for the hospital’s first graduate medical education program.
The launch of the residency program represents a significant step forward for CRMC and reflects the organization’s continued commitment to advancing healthcare education while strengthening access to high-quality medical care throughout South Georgia. The program is also expected to have a meaningful impact on healthcare across the region by helping train and retain physicians who understand the unique needs of rural and regional communities.
The program is led by Program Director Lora Denton, MD, who has played a key role in developing the residency and shaping its vision for training the next generation of physicians.
“Launching this program has been an incredibly meaningful journey for our team,” said Dr. Denton. “We were intentional about building a residency where young physicians are not only challenged academically but truly supported as individuals. Our goal is to train excellent internists who care deeply about their patients and their communities. We are thrilled to welcome our first class of residents and look forward to watching them grow into compassionate, skilled physicians.”
The Internal Medicine Residency Program at Coffee Regional is designed to provide residents with comprehensive clinical training in a supportive community hospital environment. Residents will gain experience treating a diverse patient population while working closely with experienced physicians and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Coffee Regional Medical Center received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in 2025 to launch the Internal Medicine Residency Program, allowing the organization to begin training resident physicians and further expand its role in graduate medical education. The residency program represents an important investment in the future of healthcare for the region.
“This program is an exciting step forward not only for Coffee Regional, but for the communities we serve throughout South Georgia,” said Vicki Lewis, President and CEO of Coffee Regional Medical Center. “Residency programs play a critical role in developing and retaining physicians, and we believe this program will have a lasting impact on healthcare access and quality across our region. We are incredibly proud of the team that brought this program to life and look forward to welcoming these talented young physicians to CRMC.”
Members of the Inaugural Residency Class
The following physicians will make up the first class of the Coffee Regional Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency Program:
- Zubair Akram, Mercer University School of Medicine
- Anum Cheema, Services Institute of Medical Sciences
- Hadequa Noor Khan, Karachi Medical and Dental College
- Sadia Munna, Rangpur Medical College
- Mohammad Salman, Ziauddin Medical College
Their arrival marks an exciting step forward for graduate medical education at CRMC and reinforces the hospital’s commitment to developing skilled, compassionate physicians who will serve communities across South Georgia and beyond. Coffee Regional will share additional information about each of the incoming residents in the coming weeks to help introduce them to the community and highlight the unique backgrounds and experiences they bring to the program.
For more information about the Coffee Regional Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency Program, visit: www.CoffeeRegional.org/internal-medicine-residency
About Coffee Regional Medical Center
Coffee Regional Medical Center is a regional healthcare provider based in Douglas, Georgia, serving Coffee County and surrounding communities. The medical center offers a comprehensive range of medical services and is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care while advancing health education and community wellness.
