Meet the Faculty

Dr. Lora Denton is the Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Coffee Regional Medical Center. She joined CRMC in 2025 to lead the development of this new residency program, bringing a wealth of experience in medical education and clinical practice.
Previously, Dr. Denton was a faculty member at Mercer University School of Medicine’s Savannah Campus, where she was deeply involved in resident education, mentoring, and curriculum development. She is a board-certified internist and a Master of the American College of Physicians (MACP), reflecting her commitment to excellence in patient care and medical education.
Dr. Denton is dedicated to training compassionate, skilled physicians who are prepared to meet the healthcare needs of the community with empathy and clinical expertise.

Dr. Charlotte Coggins is a board-certified family medicine physician and experienced hospitalist who has served Coffee Regional Medical Center since 2018. In her role as Designated Institutional Official for the Internal Medicine Residency Program, she plays a critical part in overseeing accreditation and ensuring the program meets institutional standards.
As a dedicated hospitalist, Dr. Coggins works closely with residents to model high-quality inpatient care and effective care coordination. She is deeply committed to medical education, resident mentorship, and upholding the values of clinical excellence and patient-centered service at CRMC.

Dr. Aristotle Cochon is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine. He serves as Associate Program Director for the CRMC Internal Medicine Residency Program, where he also leads education in hospital medicine and geriatric care. He is dedicated to high-quality, patient-centered care for medically complex adults and older patients, with a strong focus on safe transitions of care and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Cochon earned his medical degree from the University of the East in Quezon City, Philippines (June 2000–April 2004), followed by clinical internships at Cardinal Santos Medical Center (May–December 2004) and Capitol Medical Center (January–June 2005) in Manila. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, New York (2007–2010) and a Geriatrics fellowship at Staten Island University Hospital (2010–2011).

Dr. Cochon is committed to mentoring residents and preparing them to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care across the continuum of aging.

Dr. Thet Zaw is a board-certified nephrologist and internal medicine physician serving as core faculty and Nephrology Section Educator for the CRMC Internal Medicine Residency Program. Originally from Burma (Myanmar), Dr. Zaw earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica. He completed both his Internal Medicine residency and Nephrology fellowship at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey.

Following his training, Dr. Zaw moved to Georgia, where he has practiced both Nephrology and Hospital Medicine. In addition to his clinical work, he currently serves as a Flight Surgeon in the United States Air Force at Robins Air Force Base. Dr. Zaw brings a global perspective, clinical expertise, and a commitment to medical education to the residency program.

Dr. Mark Brulte serves as the Director of Emergency Medicine at Coffee Regional Medical Center and is a core faculty member of the CRMC Internal Medicine Residency Program. He brings over 25 years of experience in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine and is double board-certified in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Brulte completed his medical degree at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he also previously earned his degree from the LSU School of Dentistry. He went on to complete his Internal Medicine Residency at Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

Known for his clinical excellence, compassionate care, and strong advocacy for patients, Dr. Brulte is a highly respected member of the medical staff and a dedicated mentor to future physicians.

Dr. Eric Anderson is a board-certified medical oncologist, hematologist, and internist with over two decades of experience. A native of Valdosta, Georgia, Dr. Anderson earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1999 and completed his fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center in 2002.

He has been in practice since then and currently serves patients at CRH Oncology Group and the Coffee Regional Medical Center Infusion Center, where he is known for his personal and compassionate approach to care. Dr. Anderson is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and is proud to serve as a core faculty member for the CRMC Internal Medicine Residency Program.

Dr. Charles Galea is a board-certified rheumatologist and internist with over 25 years of experience serving patients throughout Southeast Georgia. He founded Satilla Rheumatology & Internal Medicine to improve access to specialized care in communities such as Waycross, Baxley, and Douglas.

He earned his medical degree from the University of Malta. He completed his internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai in New York, followed by a rheumatology fellowship at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Galea treats a wide range of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, osteoporosis, and other autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders. He also offers services such as infusion therapy, bone density scanning, and in-office imaging.

Dr. Galea is known for his compassionate, patient-centered care and remains dedicated to bringing expert rheumatology services to the region.

Doug Farman, MD, FCCP, is a pulmonologist with an additional specialization in critical care disease. Originally from Albany, Georgia, Dr. Farman earned his bachelor of science in pharmacy from the University of Georgia, then earned his MD at Medical College of Georgia, where he also completed his residency and pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship. Dr. Farman is a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and a member of several professional organizations and societies, including the American Lung Association and the Georgia Thoracic Society.

Dr. Farman practiced pulmonology at private medical practices for over 15 years, then joined the faculty at Mercer University School of Medicine for over 12 years before returning to full-time practice at Coliseum Medical Center (now Piedmont Macon Medical Center) in 2013. Most recently, Dr. Farman served as director of respiratory care at Regency Hospital in Macon. Dr. Farman practices pulmonology at Mercer Medicine Downtown Macon.

Dr. Jeffery Dockery is a board-certified family medicine physician and a proud native of Coffee County. For the majority of his medical career, he operated a well-regarded family medicine practice, caring for patients across all stages of life with compassion and clinical excellence.

He now serves as Deputy District Director for the Southeast Health District within the Georgia Department of Public Health, where he oversees wellness and infectious disease programs across the region. Dr. Dockery is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and holds fellowships with the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of HIV Medicine.

Dr. Dockery earned his medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Health University in Savannah.

Dr. Jaymal Patel is a board-certified psychiatrist with specialized expertise in geriatric psychiatry. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for adults and seniors facing mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, cognitive disorders, and age-related psychiatric conditions. Dr. Patel takes a patient-centered approach, focusing on individualized treatment plans that promote dignity, stability, and improved quality of life.

Dr. Candi Nobles-James, a board-certified internist with subspecialty training in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, serves as Senior Associate Dean for Mercer University School of Medicine’s Macon campus.

A dedicated physician, educator, and leader, she previously served as Associate Dean of Student Affairs, where she provided academic and personal guidance to medical students. Dr. Nobles-James has played a key role in expanding access to endocrine care across Central Georgia, leading inpatient endocrine services and offering outpatient care through Mercer Medicine and the Jones Center.

A native of Douglas, Georgia, Dr. Nobles-James earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Valdosta State University and her Doctor of Medicine from Mercer University School of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency at The Medical Center of Central Georgia and an endocrinology fellowship at the University of Missouri.

Dr. Nobles-James has received numerous teaching awards and is a member of both the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Honor Society and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. In addition to her academic role, she serves as president of the Bibb County Medical Society and oversees physician staffing and clinical performance as Managing Physician Partner for Mercer Medicine.

Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over 40 years of experience, providing expert care in Douglas, Georgia. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and Board Certified in Gastroenterology. Dr. Jonnalagadda specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the stomach, colon, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver, including advanced care for patients before and after liver transplantation.

He completed advanced fellowship training in hepatology at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, liver transplantation at the University of Pittsburgh, gastroenterology at the Medical College of Georgia, and advanced therapeutic endoscopy at the University of Hamburg.

A respected leader in his field, Dr. Jonnalagadda is a past president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), where he advocated for excellence in global health and medical education.

Dr. Knopf is an experienced, board-certified Interventional Cardiologist from Macon, Georgia. A cum laude graduate of Emory University School of Medicine, following his internal medicine residency, he completed his cardiology fellowship at Emory Hospital in Atlanta. Later, Dr. Knopf served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Emory and became the Heart Transplant program’s first Medical Director.

Dr. Knopf is triple board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and interventional cardiology. He has world-renowned training and has been a guest lecturer worldwide. Dr. Knopf has built successful cardiology practices like The Atlanta Cardiology Group at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Atlanta, and the Piedmont Heart Institute.

Dr. Kendall Griffith is a board-certified interventional cardiologist with CRH Cardiology Group with specialized expertise in interventional and peripheral vascular procedures, as well as pacemaker and ICD implantation and management. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), the American College of Cardiology (FACC), and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (FSCAI).

Dr. Griffith completed his fellowship in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, following an internal medicine residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine and began his undergraduate studies at Clark Atlanta University.

With decades of experience, Dr. Griffith is committed to delivering advanced, patient-focused cardiac care with precision and compassion.

Dr. H.P. Nair is a highly respected and long-serving member of the medical staff at Coffee Regional Medical Center. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Geriatric Medicine, and Critical Care Medicine, bringing a broad scope of expertise to patient care.

With decades of experience, Dr. Nair is known for his compassionate approach, clinical excellence, and commitment to improving the health of the Coffee County community. His dedication to multi-disciplinary care and continuity across specialties makes him a valued physician and trusted leader at Coffee Regional.

Dr. Sebastian Stanciu is a board-certified infectious disease specialist with over two decades of experience in both inpatient and outpatient care. He is the founder and CEO of First Coast Infectious Disease Consultants in Jacksonville, Florida, where he provides expert care for complex infectious conditions, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, and hospital-acquired infections.

Dr. Stanciu completed his internal medicine residency and infectious disease fellowship at the University of Florida in Jacksonville. He has held leadership roles in infection control at multiple hospitals and is highly regarded for his comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care.