Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle dedicated its Graduate Medical Education (GME) Building to Dr. John Reed, chief medical officer emeritus of the hospital. About 100 people, including GME faculty, retired physicians, hospital team members and board members, along with Dr. Reed and his family and friends, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly named John E. Reed Jr. Graduate Medical Education Building on Wednesday, June 12.
“The journey to today’s dedication has been filled with hard work, determination and a shared dream. This building and what it has become is more than just bricks and mortar; it is a symbol of collective efforts and aspirations,” said Baptist Golden Triangle CEO and administrator Rob Coleman. “As we dedicate this building, let us remember that it is the people within who will continue to bring it to life. May we continue to inspire new ideas, cultivate meaningful connections and support the aspirations of all who walk through these doors.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jamie Martin recognized Dr. Reed’s contributions and spoke about how meaningful the program is for the state. “What better way to address a physician shortage than to train your own physicians and have them stay in Mississippi,” said Dr. Martin.
Dr. Chris LeBrun, the program’s first director, and Dr. Christina Collins, the current program manager, were also recognized during the ceremony.
“Bringing an internal medicine residency program to Baptist Golden Triangle was a longtime dream for many people,” said Dr. Reed, who retired from medicine in 2021 after a 45-year career. “To be part of the creation and development of this program and now to witness its success in our community has been extremely rewarding.”
The first class of six residents started in July 2017 and, since then, the program has affected the physician shortage in the state. Of the 27 graduates, 13 will practice in Mississippi, including five at Baptist Golden Triangle, three in Oxford, three in Tupelo, one in Jackson and one on the Gulf Coast.
Dr. Reed joined the hospital staff in 1976 and served as its first chief medical officer. After spending more than a decade on the medical staff and observing how difficult it had become to recruit young doctors to Columbus, he realized the need for the residency program.
In 2015, Dr. Reed worked with a team from the hospital to apply to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for an internal medicine residency program. The program became the first internal medicine residency program offered through Baptist Memorial Health Care.
“The dedication and opening of this building are a culmination of years of vision and input from the team committed to the viability and success of the program at Baptist. My hope is that the time our residents spend in this special place will prepare them to be knowledgeable, compassionate and well-trained physicians who will make a difference in the lives of their patients,” said Dr. Reed.
