BUCOM Hosts First Annual Regional Site and Specialty Fair

Students and site representatives talk at a BUCOM fair near a wall with the verse John 7:38.

Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine (BUCOM) hosted its First Annual Regional Site and Specialty Fair last Friday, marking a successful and engaging event that connected students with residency programs and site representatives from across the Midsouth and the Baptist footprint.

The fair featured 25 residencies, regional organizations and site representatives, each hosting their own booth where students could network, ask questions, and learn more about potential clinical rotation and residency opportunities.

During the event, there was an informational session hosted where each site director had the opportunity to present about their respective site and highlight what makes their programs unique. Both first- and second-year BUCOM students attended, creating meaningful connections with clinical partners that will help guide their future placement and professional development.

The event is part of BUCOM’s ongoing effort to help students prepare early for clinical rotations and residency applications. By providing direct access to site directors, current residents and program representatives, the fair allowed students to ask questions about program expectations, explore specialties of interest, and start forming valuable professional relationships that will benefit them as they transition into their clinical years.

Participating Residency Programs

  • Family Medicine Residency (Memphis): Dr. Goodfred, Dr. Sharma
  • Addiction Medicine Fellowship (Memphis): Caroline Snell
  • Internal Medicine Residency (GTR): Dr. Gloria Ananing, Dr. Bilal Najam, Dr. Donald Fearn
  • Transitional Year Residency (Desoto): Lacey Coates, Jonathan Martinez (PGY1), TBD (PGY1)
  • Internal Medicine Residency (NM): Dr. Jacob Whelan, three core site representatives
  • Family Medicine Residency (Desoto): Laura Martin, two residents
  • General Surgery Residency (Memphis): Dr. Darryl Weiman, Lexi Gudemon (PGY3), Hamid Hosseinpour (PGY2), Clara Loewen (PGY1)
  • Diagnostic/Interventional Radiology Residency: One Diagnostic Radiology Representative, one Interventional Radiology Resident
  • Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (ONMM) Residency: Kelly Halma

Site Representatives

  • Columbus, MS: Andy Fearn (Site Director)
  • Meridian, MS: Caroline Ballou (Site Coordinator)
  • Desoto/Southaven, MS: Lacey Coates (Site Coordinator)
  • Metro Site: Dr. Greg Jenkins (Site Director)
  • Jackson Site: Dr. Jonathan Reves (Site Director)
  • Oxford Site: Dr. Dakota White (Site Director)
  • Northwest TN Site: Christina Crafton (Site Coordinator), Dr. Wright Jernigan (Site Director)

Participating Organizations

  • East Central MS Health Network, Inc. – Family Medicine Residency: Angie Burks
  • Tennessee Medical Association: Erika Thomas
  • Bluff City Medical Society: Dr. Jara Bishop-Jones
  • Tennessee Osteopathic Medical Association: Matt Helms

This inaugural event reflects BUCOM’s commitment to supporting student success by bridging the gap between education and clinical practice. The connections made during the fair will continue to help students navigate their professional journey and pursue their passions within the field of osteopathic medicine.