SGMC Announces Next Steps in Cardiology Program

South Georgia Medical Center has employed three experienced, board-certified cardiologists to operate its new SGMC Cardiology practice beginning on January 8, 2018. “SGMC is committed to providing excellence in cardiac care and we are putting things in place to make that happen,” said CEO C. Ross Berry.  “SGMC has employed Cary Rose, MD, FACC, a triple-boarded, Emory-trained Cardiologist to launch the program on Jan. 8.  Dr. Rose is certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology.  Dr. Rose received his internal medicine residency training at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.  He completed his cardiovascular fellowship at North Shore University Hospital/NYU School of Medicine in Manhasset, New York, and his cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He is coming to Valdosta from Iowa. Robert “Darrel” Collins, DO, is also joining the group.  Dr. Collins is board-certified in Cardiovascular Diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He graduated from Southeastern College in Americus, GA, and received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University of Miami, FL.  Dr. Collins completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Florida, and a fellowship in Cardiology at Indiana University School of Medicine.  He has been in private practice in Douglas, GA for many years. Michael Anigbogu, MD, FACC, Pharm.D. is the third member of the new group.  Dr. Anigbogu is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine.  Dr. Anigbogu graduated from Saba University School of Medicine, Netherland Antilles.  He completed his internship at New York Methodist Hospital and his residency at Aurora St. Luke’s Health Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He comes to Valdosta from North Carolina. To house the new practice, South Georgia Medical Center has entered into a lease agreement with Valdosta Medical Clinic to operate the practice at the same office building formerly used for VMC’s Cardiology Clinic.  The office building, located at 3207 Country Club Drive, Bldg. B, will be staffed and seeing patients beginning January 8.  Appointments can now be made by calling 229-433-8160. “Valdosta Medical Clinic has been very accommodating and SGMC appreciates their support during this transition,” Mr. Berry said.  According to Dr. Tommy Hobby, it is important for Valdosta Medical Clinic, as well as SGMC, to continue to provide a continuum of care for cardiology patients.  “Patients are already familiar with this location. Having the new cardiologists’ practice here should minimize confusion and help to ensure the continuum of patient care,” Dr. Hobby added. Bill Forbes, SGMC’s Chief Development Officer explains that SGMC hopes to have the cardiology practice on the SGMC Campus within the year.  Over 11,000 square feet of space is in the planning stage of construction for the second floor of SGMC’s Professional Building adjacent to the SGMC CardioVascular Institute.  Construction includes all services a functioning cardiology practice will need. Additional healthcare providers will be added in the near future to work alongside the cardiologists.  SGMC was able to offer employment to most of the former cardiologists’ staff including LPNs, a Nuclear Medicine Tech, an Echo tech, among others, to help ensure a smooth transition of patient care from VMC over to SGMC. Additional developments will be announced as they are finalized.