Program Directors

David Haburchak, MD
Program Director

The Medical College of Georgia Internal Medicine Residency Program seeks to develop and prepare outstanding subspecialists, general internists, and hospitalists for clinical practice in the twenty-first century. We are proud of our program and of its graduates, and our pride is tangibly expressed in the top priority given residency education by our Department of Medicine and our Medical School.

A major strength of our program is the relatively small size for an academic program which allows intimate, personal supervision and mentorship of all residents as they progress toward their career goals. While becoming grounded in the traditional Oslerian values of excellence in patient care and professionalism, our residents develop leadership skills, self-directed learning attitudes and behaviors that lead to opportunities for competitive subspecialty fellowships and desirable practice locations. We believe in learner-centered education and training development.

The program is well integrated across two adjacent hospitals, with ample elective opportunity, including research and off-campus or international. Residents enjoy a collegial relationship with faculty and each other. Family, recreational, and spiritual opportunities make Augusta a great place to develop personally in establishing practice and scholastic habits of life. You will find warm weather, sunny hospitality, and an exciting quest for medical knowledge and its application to outstanding patients. Join us as we press on toward the upward goal!

David R. Haburchak, M.D., F.A.C.P.


Lee Ann Merchen, MD
Associate Program Director


John Thornton, MD
Associate Program Director


Mary Forsyth, MD
Associate Program Director & VAMC Internal Medicine Residency Program Coordinator


Shilpa Brown, MD
Assistant Program Director & Director, MCG Continuity of Care Clinics

Welcome to the Medical College of Georgia Internal Medicine Continuity of Care Clinics. As a former graduate of the Internal Medicine Residency Program here at MCG and as a General Internist, I am confident that you will have the oppurturnity to provide longitudinal care for General Medicine patients in a friendly and structured environment. We aim to provide a private practice feel within an academic practice with both dedicated staff and faculty support at all times. I believe this will allow you to engage your outpatient skills while still allowing for didactic case based teaching and learning before each clinical session. I truly enjoyed my outpatient experience at MCG as a resident because of the wonderful patients who allowed me to learn from them everyday and hope that you will find it as equally enjoyable and educational as I did. I look forward to working with you all.