Meet Our Internal Medicine Residents
First Year Residents
Class of 2028
Dr. Atla earned her medical degree from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she was actively involved in clinical research and community health outreach. She is passionate about building long-term relationships with patients and providing compassionate care. In her free time she enjoys gardening and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Abeer Elkhidir, of Sudanese and Egyptian heritage, brings a rich cultural perspective to patient care, rooted in empathy, active listening and a strong commitment to mental health awareness. She strives to create a compassionate, supportive space where patients feel truly seen and heard. Outside of medicine, she enjoys yoga, chasing sunsets and exploring scenic landscapes, especially by the beach. A proud foodie with a sweet tooth, she’s always searching for the perfect dessert and is known for quoting her favorite show, The Office. Dr. Elkhidir draws inspiration from her close-knit family and brings that same warmth and sense of belonging to every patient interaction.
Dr. Loukas Georgiou is from Jackson, Tennessee, and earned his medical degree from the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is excited to be in Tupelo and serve the local community. In his free time he enjoys solving Rubik’s cubes.
Dr. Hawkins earned his medical degree from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University. Originally from Arkansas, he is excited to continue his education in Tupelo and stay close to home. In his free time he enjoys cooking, watching movies, playing video games and listening to music.
Dr. Kendrick earned her medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. She also holds a Master of Science in biomolecular science from Lipscomb University in Nashville and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Memphis. A Nashville native, she takes pride in being a non-traditional student with experience in a variety of fields before pursuing medicine. In her free time she enjoys backpacking, rock climbing and spending time outdoors with her dogs. She also loves reading in her spare time.
Dr. Umesh Kumar earned his medical degree in 2021 from Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College. A proud native of rural Pakistan, he is driven by a passion for serving others and is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to underserved populations. He is excited to begin his residency training in the United States and looks forward to growing as a physician dedicated to making a meaningful impact. Outside of medicine, he enjoys traveling, cooking and playing cricket.
Dr. Mahmoud is originally from Michigan. She earned her medical degree from the University of Khartoum Faculty of Medicine and has successfully completed all USMLE examinations. Dr. Mahmoud is passionate about providing patient-centered care to underserved communities and brings a unique perspective to healthcare through her international medical training. In her free time she enjoys playing piano, bowling and spending time with friends and family. She is excited to be part of the NMMC team and looks forward to growing as a physician while making a meaningful impact in her patients' lives.
Dr. McGowen was born and raised in Moselle, Mississippi. She attended South Jones High School and Jones College in Ellisville before earning her Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Mississippi. She went on to receive her medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Guided by her faith and supported by her parents throughout her education, Dr. McGowen is proud to be the first doctor in her family.
Dr. Patrick is from Iuka, Mississippi. Inspired by his older sister, a nurse, he began his healthcare journey as a registered nurse after graduating from Northeast Mississippi Community College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of North Alabama and later received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi. His goal remains the same — to serve the people of north Mississippi.
Dr. Priya earned her medical degree from Janaki Medical College in Nepal. Originally from Nepal, she is excited to begin this next chapter of her medical journey. In her free time she enjoys traveling, painting, listening to music and watching movies. She is deeply grateful for the support she has received along the way.
Dr. Scott earned his medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn. He was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and is excited to begin his medical career in Tupelo. His clinical interests include nephrology and palliative medicine, and he hopes to engage in more clinical research during his residency.
Dr. Smith is from Nashville, Tennessee. He earned his undergraduate degree from Lee University and his medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, spending time outdoors and refereeing high-level rugby.
Dr. Wohlwender earned his medical degree from the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. He has a passion for hospital medicine and values the opportunity to support patients and their families during difficult times. Before residency, he worked as an EMT and spent time flying small planes. Outside of medicine, he enjoys playing soccer and getting a little too competitive at board games.
Second Year Residents
Class of 2027
Dr. Abouzeid earned her medical degree from Tanta University School of Medicine. She believes beauty lies not only in what we see but also in strong moral character, a devoted work ethic and compassionate patient care. This philosophy guides her approach to medicine, where integrity and empathy shape every interaction. Outside the hospital, Dr. Abouzeid enjoys drawing, painting or baking for her small family—often with an audiobook playing and a warm cup of coffee in hand.
Dr. Akunne earned her medical degree from Delta State University in Nigeria. She is passionate about patient care and continuous learning. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, trying new recipes in the kitchen and staying active at the gym.
Dr. Albertini earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and is currently part of the Internal Medicine residency program at North Mississippi Medical Center. In his spare time, he enjoys collaborating with peers, learning something new each day and fitting in a workout when he can.
Dr. Aziz earned his medical degree from Ras Al Khaimah Medical Health and Sciences University. Originally from India, he was raised in the United Arab Emirates. He is an avid soccer fan and enjoys everything related to racing cars.
Dr. Elkalashy earned his medical degree from Ain Shams University School of Medicine in Egypt and completed a nephrology fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2024. He is married with two children and enjoys spending time with his family.
Dr. Modi earned his medical degree from Mahatma Gandhi Mission's Medical College in Navi Mumbai, India. He is an internal medicine resident with advanced fellowship training in lung transplantation, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary vasculitis. He enjoys working on multidisciplinary teams and hopes to build a career in advanced pulmonary medicine. Outside the hospital, Dr. Modi enjoys good coffee, good music and scenic trails.
Dr. Parkash earned his medical degree from Chandka Medical College in Larkana, Pakistan, and completed his nephrology fellowship at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He enjoys spending time outdoors, especially near the ocean or in nature, and loves playing and watching cricket. He also values quality time with his family.
Dr. Patel earned her medical degree from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. An Illinois native, she felt warmly welcomed in Mississippi during medical school and now in residency. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and relaxing with a good book.
Dr. Pourhashemi is from Memphis and earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Christian Brothers University. He received his medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee.
Dr. Goodman is from Meridian, Mississippi, and earned his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In his spare time he enjoys outdoor activities like golfing, fishing and swimming.
Third Year Residents
Class of 2026
Dr. Cissom was born and raised in New Albany, Mississippi. He earned a biology degree from the University of Mississippi before completing his medical degree at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and taking part in outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, golf and attending college baseball and football games.
Dr. Cone earned his medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn. A Mississippi native, he enjoys spending time outdoors, especially fishing.
Dr. Ejaz was born in Pakistan and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an experience that shaped her cross-cultural perspective early in life. She earned her medical degree from CMH Lahore Medical College in Pakistan. Drawn to hospital medicine for its intellectual rigor and meaningful patient connections, Dr. Ejaz is passionate about combining clinical reasoning with compassionate care. She values getting to know her patients beyond their diagnoses and takes pride in being present during their most vulnerable moments. Outside of medicine, she enjoys coffee walks, spontaneous road trips and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Dr. Ferguson was born and raised in California. He earned his undergraduate degree in Reno, Nevada, and his medical degree from Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine in Meridian. Throughout his journey, he’s been supported by his high school sweetheart and now wife, Alyssa. Together they have a son named Colt. In his free time he enjoys playing Warzone on Xbox with his brother and father and dreams of one day going python hunting in the Florida Everglades.
Dr. Nahar earned her medical degree from Vitebsk State Medical University in Belarus. She grew up in Belarus, located in Central Europe. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, reading books and playing the piano.
Dr. Perkins is an internal medicine resident at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She earned both her medical degree and master’s degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. She brings valuable research experience from Johns Hopkins University focused on identifying and addressing patient, healthcare system and community-level factors that influence disparities in care for adults with kidney disease, organ failure, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes. A proud native of Greenwood, Mississippi, she is honored to be back home serving her Mississippi family.
