Derrick Beech, MD, FACS
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Dr. Beech, a native of Atlanta, Georgia attended Duke University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. He later went on to attend Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia, where he obtained his medical degree in 1988, as well as Temple University Hospital, where he completed his residency training in 1993. Throughout his medical training, he gravitated towards the field of oncology. He developed a deeply-rooted passion for the care of and service to cancer patients. In 1993, he completed his fellowship training in Surgical Oncology at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Since completing his fellowship, Dr. Beech has devoted his time to treating patients, as well as cultivating competent future physicians. He worked at the University of the West Indies, where he rendered surgical services to the locals, as well as academic training to the medical students. He later went on to serve as the Chief of Surgery at Meharry Medical College, in Nashville, Tennessee. Currently, he works at Grady Memorial Hospital, where he performs a wide array of surgical oncological procedures. But he work does not stop there. He dedicates his time to public service, traveling to Jamaica yearly to donate medical supplies, as well as provide patient care to the local residents.
In addition to his dedication to his clinical work, Dr. Beech serves as the Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Faculty Development at Morehouse School of Medicine.
In the OR: Overall, Dr. Beech is not terribly intimidating. He is probably one of the quickest surgeons in terms of OR time. He will expect you to know info on your patient, especially if it's involving the breast. He has a particular interest in Phyllodes tumor of the breast.
Since completing his fellowship, Dr. Beech has devoted his time to treating patients, as well as cultivating competent future physicians. He worked at the University of the West Indies, where he rendered surgical services to the locals, as well as academic training to the medical students. He later went on to serve as the Chief of Surgery at Meharry Medical College, in Nashville, Tennessee. Currently, he works at Grady Memorial Hospital, where he performs a wide array of surgical oncological procedures. But he work does not stop there. He dedicates his time to public service, traveling to Jamaica yearly to donate medical supplies, as well as provide patient care to the local residents.
In addition to his dedication to his clinical work, Dr. Beech serves as the Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Faculty Development at Morehouse School of Medicine.
In the OR: Overall, Dr. Beech is not terribly intimidating. He is probably one of the quickest surgeons in terms of OR time. He will expect you to know info on your patient, especially if it's involving the breast. He has a particular interest in Phyllodes tumor of the breast.
Allison Burkett, MD
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Dr. Allison Burkett attended Stony Brook University School of Medicine, where she received her Doctorate in Medicine in 2001. She later went on to do her residency training at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System.
In 2006, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she completed her fellowship training in Vascular Surgery.
Since schooling, Dr. Burkett has devoted her time to providing adequate care to patients suffering from vascular diseases. She performs a wide array of procedures, including above-the-knee amputations, angioplasty with stenting, and carotid endarterectomy to name a few.
In Clinic/In the OR: Overall, she is pretty laid back. She will ask questions, especially about the arteries of the distal aorta, but if you do not know the answer, do not stress. She will answer any questions she asks you. She complains a lot about the residency program. She came from private practice and is not used to “black” schools. Do not take it personal. She loves us. In the OR, she lets you do everything. She will ask questions (ie. on US, is this artery or vein, etc.).
Frederick Cason, MD, FACS
Dr. Frederick Cason received
his medical degree in 1978 from Saint Louis University
School of Medicine. He later went on to the Naval Hospital in Oakland, California,
where he completed both his internship and residency training in General Surgery.
Currently, he serves as Vice Chairman and Chief of a new division of Surgical Education at Morehouse School of Medicine, as well as Surgical Residency Program Director. In the OR/When Rounding: Can be intimidating. He has a disdain for modern medical school (he does not believe that they train us to be competent physicians). Beware: he loves to conduct rounds at 5 PM . . . . and they can go on until 7 or 8 PM. Will ask questions when rounding. He likes to go down the line and ask questions about each organ system. In the OR, he actually is not too bad. At least not to you. He's a bit anal when it comes to how surgeries should be performed. He tends to yell at the residents and grabs their hands when making incisions/suturing. |
Ed W. Childs, MD
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Dr. Ed W. Childs attended the University of Texas, Dallas, where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He then went on to attended Texas A&M University Health Science Center, where he obtained his medical degree, and the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he completed his residency training. During his training, he rotated in various subspecialties within surgery. He gained a deep appreciation for the meticulously care given to critically ill patients, as well as patients suffering from traumatic injuries. Because of this experience, he later went on to complete a fellowship in Trauma/Critical Care at the University of California, Davis.
Since completing his training, he has dedicated his time to providing adequate care to critically ill patients. His research efforts are centered around the mechanisms of microvascular injury following hemorrhagic shock, with an emphasis on the role of leukocyte activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.
In addition to his dedication to patient care, he also devotes his time to producing competent and culturally sound surgeons. He currently serves as the Chairmen of the Department of Surgery at Morehouse School of Medicine.
While on Trauma Call: Very chill. Does not ask too many questions. Occasionally, he will ask for a SOAP Note, but for the most part, he is quick in terms of rounding and presenting.
Since completing his training, he has dedicated his time to providing adequate care to critically ill patients. His research efforts are centered around the mechanisms of microvascular injury following hemorrhagic shock, with an emphasis on the role of leukocyte activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.
In addition to his dedication to patient care, he also devotes his time to producing competent and culturally sound surgeons. He currently serves as the Chairmen of the Department of Surgery at Morehouse School of Medicine.
While on Trauma Call: Very chill. Does not ask too many questions. Occasionally, he will ask for a SOAP Note, but for the most part, he is quick in terms of rounding and presenting.
Clarence Clark, III, MD
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Dr. Clarence Clark, III received his Doctorate in Medicine in 2004, from Penn State College of Medicine. In 2004, he moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he completed his residency training at the University of Texas Health Science Center. He later went on to Santa Rosa Health Care Corp, where he completed his training in Colon and Rectal Surgery.
Since completing his training, Dr. Clark performs a wide array of procedures, including colonoscopies, endoscopies, laparoscopic abdominal surgeries, colon resection secondary to malignancy, IBD, etc. He has published various articles pertaining to enteroatmospheric fistulas, rectal prolapse, and diverticular disease, to name a few.
In the OR/Clinic: Can be intimidating. He will pimp you any time he gets a chance. Likes to ask questions. If you do not know the answer, he will tell you to look it up, and then tell him the next day. When in clinic, he allows you to see the patients and then present a SOAP Note. Also, when doing colonoscopies, he lets you perform anal exams.
Since completing his training, Dr. Clark performs a wide array of procedures, including colonoscopies, endoscopies, laparoscopic abdominal surgeries, colon resection secondary to malignancy, IBD, etc. He has published various articles pertaining to enteroatmospheric fistulas, rectal prolapse, and diverticular disease, to name a few.
In the OR/Clinic: Can be intimidating. He will pimp you any time he gets a chance. Likes to ask questions. If you do not know the answer, he will tell you to look it up, and then tell him the next day. When in clinic, he allows you to see the patients and then present a SOAP Note. Also, when doing colonoscopies, he lets you perform anal exams.
Omar Danner, MD
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Dr. Danner attended the
University of Alabama School of Medicine, where he graduated with his Doctorate
in Medicine in 1995, as well as completed his residency training in 2001. For
his fellowship training, he attended both John Hopkins University, where he completed
his training in Surgical Critical Care in 2002, and the University
of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he completed his training in Minimally Invasive General, Foregut & Bariatric Surgery in
2004.
Since completing his training, Dr. Danner has dedicated his time to adequately caring for critical ill patients. Currently, he stands as one of the team leaders for SICU patients on the MSM care team. In addition to his service to his patients, Dr. Danner also devotes his time to mentoring the local community. Once a month, he has a team of high schoolers come and gain exposure to surgery, as well as medicine as a whole.
During Rounds: Very nice. Will always ask how your day is going. Likes to ask a lot of questions when rounding. And he talks slow. So, be prepared to round for hours. He does like to ask questions, but not intimidating in the way he asks.
Since completing his training, Dr. Danner has dedicated his time to adequately caring for critical ill patients. Currently, he stands as one of the team leaders for SICU patients on the MSM care team. In addition to his service to his patients, Dr. Danner also devotes his time to mentoring the local community. Once a month, he has a team of high schoolers come and gain exposure to surgery, as well as medicine as a whole.
During Rounds: Very nice. Will always ask how your day is going. Likes to ask a lot of questions when rounding. And he talks slow. So, be prepared to round for hours. He does like to ask questions, but not intimidating in the way he asks.
Frank Jones, MD, MPH
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A proud native of Augusta, Georgia, Dr. Jones attended Morehouse College, where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. He subsequently attended Morehouse School of Medicine, where he graduated in 1991 with his Doctorate in Medicine. He completed his residency training at Howard University College of Medicine and later went on to complete his fellowship training in Trauma and Critical Care at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His education did not stop there, however. In 2007, he received his Master’s in Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
He currently serves as a trauma surgeon, general surgeon, and surgical intensivist at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He has a particular interest in hernia repair, working with various vendors to create the most cost-effective and long-standing mesh for his patients.
His commitment to medicine stretches beyond clinical care. He currently serves as the Clerkship Director for the Surgery Rotation at Morehouse School of Medicine. He devotes his efforts to ensuring that medical students receive a comprehensive overview of what surgery has to offer.
In the OR/Clinic: Probably the nicest attending alive. Any questions or discrepancies while on the rotation should go to him. He is 100% on your side. He plays old school music in the OR and will ask you the name/artist of the song. Likes to ask anatomy questions, as well. Favorite Song - Spandau Ballet, True
He currently serves as a trauma surgeon, general surgeon, and surgical intensivist at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He has a particular interest in hernia repair, working with various vendors to create the most cost-effective and long-standing mesh for his patients.
His commitment to medicine stretches beyond clinical care. He currently serves as the Clerkship Director for the Surgery Rotation at Morehouse School of Medicine. He devotes his efforts to ensuring that medical students receive a comprehensive overview of what surgery has to offer.
In the OR/Clinic: Probably the nicest attending alive. Any questions or discrepancies while on the rotation should go to him. He is 100% on your side. He plays old school music in the OR and will ask you the name/artist of the song. Likes to ask anatomy questions, as well. Favorite Song - Spandau Ballet, True
Dzifa Kpodzo, MD, MPH
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A native of Ghana, Dr. Kpodzo was raised in Germany, the UK, Canada, and the US. She graduated with honors in Integrative Biology from the University of California at Berkeley, and subsequently went on to complete a dual Medical Doctorate and Master in Public Health at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health. She trained at the Harvard Plastic Surgery Combined Residency Program and completed a fellowship in oculoplastic and cosmetic surgery at Paces Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia.
Currently, Dr. Kpodzo works at Morehouse Healthcare, where she provides reconstructive and elective cosmetic surgery to a multiple array of sites, including the skin, musculoskeletal system, craniomaxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast and trunk, and external genitalia. She prides herself in “providing aesthetically pleasing, natural and long-lasting results, while maintaining uncompromising safety”.
Dr. Kpodzo’s success has been far-reaching, receiving numerous academic awards, publishing book chapters and peer-reviewed articles, presenting to national professional medical organizations, and volunteering abroad in Ethiopia and Ghana.
Currently, Dr. Kpodzo works at Morehouse Healthcare, where she provides reconstructive and elective cosmetic surgery to a multiple array of sites, including the skin, musculoskeletal system, craniomaxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast and trunk, and external genitalia. She prides herself in “providing aesthetically pleasing, natural and long-lasting results, while maintaining uncompromising safety”.
Dr. Kpodzo’s success has been far-reaching, receiving numerous academic awards, publishing book chapters and peer-reviewed articles, presenting to national professional medical organizations, and volunteering abroad in Ethiopia and Ghana.
Leslie Ray Matthews, MD
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Dr. Matthews graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, where he received his Doctorate in Medicine. He later completed his transitional year at Southside Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and then went on to Morehouse School of Medicine, where he completed his residency training in General Surgery. In 2004, he graduated from Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, where he completed his fellowship training in Surgical Critical Care.
Since completing his training, Dr. Matthews has devoted his time to caring for critically ill patients. He has conducted world-renowned research on the role of vitamin D and its effects on traumatic brain injury patients.
When on Trauma Call/On SICU: Hates motorcycles and people who ride them. Does not ask many questions outside of the OR. When not scrubbed in, he will ask questions about the case. If you do not know the answer, do not sweat. He tells you to use your phones! When on trauma call, he likes for all students to be in the room, even if it's packed. Also, he in a huge fan of Vitamin D. He has conducted research on its benefits in treating traumatic brain injury (look it up!).
Since completing his training, Dr. Matthews has devoted his time to caring for critically ill patients. He has conducted world-renowned research on the role of vitamin D and its effects on traumatic brain injury patients.
When on Trauma Call/On SICU: Hates motorcycles and people who ride them. Does not ask many questions outside of the OR. When not scrubbed in, he will ask questions about the case. If you do not know the answer, do not sweat. He tells you to use your phones! When on trauma call, he likes for all students to be in the room, even if it's packed. Also, he in a huge fan of Vitamin D. He has conducted research on its benefits in treating traumatic brain injury (look it up!).
Joel Okoli, MD, FACS
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A native of Nigeria, Dr. Okoli graduated with his Doctorate in Medicine from Yale University School of Medicine in 1981. He later went on to complete his residency training at Kaleida Health/Buffalo General Hospital in New York.
Now, he currently rotates around various facilities in the Greater Atlanta area, providing intimate care to his patients. He specializes in Surgery and Hematology & Oncology.
In the OR/When Rounding: Can be intimidating at first, but all in all, he genuinely wants you to know your information, Expects you to know EVERYTHING pertaining to your patient (why they were admitted, their PMH, etc.), as well as supplemental information about any disease processes they may have (ie. if your patient has Acute Cholecystitis, know the epidemiology, causes, diagnostic test, treatment, and risk of recurrence). He will ask you questions. Try to answer as much as you can. Even if you do not know the complete answer, say what you know. He likes to ask multi-part questions and then go down the line and have students answer. Never say "I believe," "I think," or "the patient denies". He dislikes those words. Also, he is very religious. He plays Christian music in the OR, as well as quotes scriptures to his patients. Okoli's favorite joke/question: What are two absolute contraindications for giving a patient a rectal exam? 1) the patient doesn't have an anus....2) the doctor doesn't have fingers!
Jacquelyn Turner, MD
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Dr. Turner attended University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Texas, where she received her Doctorate in Medicine in 2005. She subsequently went on to the Rush University Medical Center, where she completed her residency train in 2011. For her fellowship training, she attended Grant Medical Center, where she trained in Colon and Rectal Surgery.
Since completing her training, Dr. Turner performs a wide array of procedures, including colonoscopies, endoscopies, laproscopic abdominal surgeries, colon resection secondary to malignancy, IBD, etc.
In the OR/Clinic: Overall, very chill. Does not ask too many questions. During clinic, she does not allow you to do much. You literally just shadow
Since completing her training, Dr. Turner performs a wide array of procedures, including colonoscopies, endoscopies, laproscopic abdominal surgeries, colon resection secondary to malignancy, IBD, etc.
In the OR/Clinic: Overall, very chill. Does not ask too many questions. During clinic, she does not allow you to do much. You literally just shadow
Meet the Residents
PGY-V
Dr. Bacon: Chief resident with a no-nonsense attitude.
May be intimidating…. Until she smiles at you…. Then you realize that her smiles are also mean and then you’re back to being intimidated.
Really wants to help you do well and corrects you so you don’t make stupid mistakes in ….But also enjoys seeing you squirm when she asks you questions. DON’T TAKE IT
PERSONAL AND DON’T LET IT GET TO YOU!! Look her in the eye and answer with confidence. Try your best to know your stuff. You won’t get praise for it (so don’t expect to) but you’ll get the internal satisfaction of knowing that you were right and now she’s out of follow-up questions to ask (*happy dance*). She LOVES the operating room and is in a way better mood when she is operating. This makes her less intimidating and allows you to ask more questions in the OR.
- Random facts that could get you through:
Dr. Gordon: Chief resident and a pediatrician in a surgeon’s body!
She is super nice and not intimidating at all!! She welcomes all questions and never seems to be in a bad mood. Because of that, try NOT to throw her under bus by leaving early and making her have to explain to Dr. Cason why the medical students aren’t here. Will challenge you though (Dr. Smith style). Will try to walk you through a question to get you to think before just giving you the answer. Asks some questions in the OR but not as much as the attendings will ask so just prepare. Will actually try to help you out in the OR if she sees you going under lol. Listen for her whispers and look for her facial cues!!
May be intimidating…. Until she smiles at you…. Then you realize that her smiles are also mean and then you’re back to being intimidated.
Really wants to help you do well and corrects you so you don’t make stupid mistakes in ….But also enjoys seeing you squirm when she asks you questions. DON’T TAKE IT
PERSONAL AND DON’T LET IT GET TO YOU!! Look her in the eye and answer with confidence. Try your best to know your stuff. You won’t get praise for it (so don’t expect to) but you’ll get the internal satisfaction of knowing that you were right and now she’s out of follow-up questions to ask (*happy dance*). She LOVES the operating room and is in a way better mood when she is operating. This makes her less intimidating and allows you to ask more questions in the OR.
- Random facts that could get you through:
- Her dad is an orthopedic surgeon. So any questions about that may soften her up a bit
- She LOVES the Walking Dead…. So if you watch that and can talk about, use that to
- She’s a pescatarian and eats only healthy stuff. Don’t know how or if this would help and get her in a better mood but use it to your advantage (when appropriate)but…. It’s a fact lol.
- Would suggest to be familiar with Hall & Oates songs.
Dr. Gordon: Chief resident and a pediatrician in a surgeon’s body!
She is super nice and not intimidating at all!! She welcomes all questions and never seems to be in a bad mood. Because of that, try NOT to throw her under bus by leaving early and making her have to explain to Dr. Cason why the medical students aren’t here. Will challenge you though (Dr. Smith style). Will try to walk you through a question to get you to think before just giving you the answer. Asks some questions in the OR but not as much as the attendings will ask so just prepare. Will actually try to help you out in the OR if she sees you going under lol. Listen for her whispers and look for her facial cues!!
PGY-IV
Dr. Esiobu: Didnt get to work with him much, but when we did he was pretty laid back. He helped us learn to suture and was great to work with that day.
Dr. Quinones: Nice and laid back; not intimidating at all and will answer questions. Doesn’t really ask questions unless you present something incorrectly. Then he may
correct you or ask you to explain it. Make sure you know you have your labs and vitals on rounds. He's also a fan of the Walking Dead.
Dr. Quinones: Nice and laid back; not intimidating at all and will answer questions. Doesn’t really ask questions unless you present something incorrectly. Then he may
correct you or ask you to explain it. Make sure you know you have your labs and vitals on rounds. He's also a fan of the Walking Dead.
PGY-III
Dr. Burbank: Works very hard and likes to make decisions like attendings. He will take the time to teach the students and make sure you understand what he is teaching. Very nice, tries to help you out if you get stuck on questions with the attendings. He will ask questions sometimes, but not to pimp you, just to make sure you understand. He explains PEEP very well!
Dr. Lokko: An awesome source of information!! Will answer questions in great detail and literally seems to know everything. He is soft spoken otherwise. He doesn’t try to pimp you, doesn’t ask you to do crazy stuff. Just a nice guy that likes to teach ^_^.
Dr. Lokko: An awesome source of information!! Will answer questions in great detail and literally seems to know everything. He is soft spoken otherwise. He doesn’t try to pimp you, doesn’t ask you to do crazy stuff. Just a nice guy that likes to teach ^_^.
PGY-II
Dr. Adeshuko: Worked overnight most of the time so
didn’t have much interaction with her outside of morning signout. However, she will answer questions gladly if you have them because she’s usually the only person in the resident’s room super early in the morning. She does not pimp you on information.
Dr. Moore: Very very laid back, but she knows her stuff. She is very helpful with the medical students and she will teach you lots of info! Great to work with and nice in the operating room. Does not pimp you at all.
Dr. Moore: Very very laid back, but she knows her stuff. She is very helpful with the medical students and she will teach you lots of info! Great to work with and nice in the operating room. Does not pimp you at all.
PGY-I
Dr. Black: Very nice overall and a really hard worker. He's always running around but he is really nice and will help the students. He carries his ipad around a lot so make sure you have your labs correct or he'll correct you.
Dr. Ezeuka: Call him either Collins or Dr. Ezeuka… don’t call him Dr. Collins. We did not interact with him that much during our service. Will always have scrubs on with patterned socks.
Dr. Hill: Was on an away service during our time here so do not know much about him. Was nice during lectures on Wednesday.
Dr. Ezeuka: Call him either Collins or Dr. Ezeuka… don’t call him Dr. Collins. We did not interact with him that much during our service. Will always have scrubs on with patterned socks.
Dr. Hill: Was on an away service during our time here so do not know much about him. Was nice during lectures on Wednesday.
Dr. Kwayisi: Very hard working and also likes to
throw her weight around and make “big doctor” decisions. You’ll forget she is
an intern. DO NOT text her before 6am regardless of the circumstances. And only text her in the morning if you know for sure she works the morning shift that day. Also, she doesn’t like it when people text her that did not ask for her number specifically so… try to get her number yourself from her before you text her or at the very least, tell her who gave you her number in the text you send. She does not like to be touched or stared at so try to find something to do instead of watch her put in orders, otherwise, she is nice and reasonable.
Dr. McGarity: Very nice and works hard. She's always on the go, but will help you if you stop her and ask questions. She's going into anesthesiology and is a good source of info for the match process/certain specialties.
Dr. Onyeabor: Very laid back, but works really hard. He teaches a lot and doesn't mind helping the students. He used to be an attending in Family Medicine, but decided to change to surgery. He's pretty chill and will let you take a break/study/eat if you need to.
Dr. Williams: Nice and owner of a very interesting laugh. One of the honest interns that will tell you what it’s really like to be a surgery intern so… ask away!! He will give you a teaching session any chance he gets… which are not necessarily bad, but can sometimes be annoying when its 5:15 and you just want to go home.
Dr. McGarity: Very nice and works hard. She's always on the go, but will help you if you stop her and ask questions. She's going into anesthesiology and is a good source of info for the match process/certain specialties.
Dr. Onyeabor: Very laid back, but works really hard. He teaches a lot and doesn't mind helping the students. He used to be an attending in Family Medicine, but decided to change to surgery. He's pretty chill and will let you take a break/study/eat if you need to.
Dr. Williams: Nice and owner of a very interesting laugh. One of the honest interns that will tell you what it’s really like to be a surgery intern so… ask away!! He will give you a teaching session any chance he gets… which are not necessarily bad, but can sometimes be annoying when its 5:15 and you just want to go home.