New internal medicine residents at St. Bernards in Jonesboro

Published July 27, 2016

St. Bernards in Jonesboro welcomed its inaugural class into a new Internal Medicine Residency program with an osteopathic focus. Focusing on the need for more doctors in the field of internal medicine, St. Bernards established a residency program to train medical school graduates in internal medicine.

On July 1, the five physicians who make up the inaugural class began a three-year residency program that will include training through observation, lectures, working under a mentor and caring for and following patients through a resident clinic.

Residents selected for the program include Dr. John Brandon Allison, a graduate of William Carey University College of Medicine in Hattiesburg, Miss.; Dr. Ryan Costello, a graduate of DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tenn.; Dr. Richard Dylan Murphy, a graduate of Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pikeville, Ky.; Dr. Joanne Pardun, a graduate of Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colo.; and Dr. Bobby J. Swinney, a graduate of William Carey University College of Medicine in Hattiesburg.

The physicians will see patients, decide on treatment plans and review them with the senior attending physician, write prescriptions, give medical orders and document in medical records.

“Our hope is that some of these residents will choose to remain in this area after completing the residency program,” said internist Dr. Veryl Hodges, who is serving as program director.

He said it is difficult to recruit internists to rural areas like Jonesboro and other communities in northeast Arkansas.

St. Bernards will add a new class of internal medicine residents each year, with up to eight slots available per class.

When the New York Institute of Technology Osteopathic Medical School on the Arkansas State University campus begins to graduate physicians, St. Bernards expects to be an a good place to continue recruiting residents to train there.