PGY-1 Residents

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Ann Allston, MD

 

My hometown is Charleston, SC. I grew up there and in Waynesville, NC. In high school I wanted to become a Registered Nurse, so I attended nursing school at USC for 2 years. At some point I realized that was not the path for me and I started looking for the correct one. Eventually, I found myself attending the University of Pécs Medical School in Hungary. Before jumping on that trans-Atlantic flight, I had never left US soil and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.

After graduation and returning to the US I knew that it would be challenging to get into a residency program. With that in mind I applied extremely broadly just to increase my chances. Who would have thought that my ideal residency program was sitting right in my backyard? Greer Family Medicine Residency had all the things I was looking for and then some. The community in Greer is one that is teaching me valuable lessons in caring for a broad patient demographic. The program is perceptive and adaptive to my needs as a resident and family medicine physician. The faculty are invested in promoting my growth as a quality and effective physician. The residents are second to none.

Regarding me personally, I enjoy a great many outdoor activities and it is easy for me to find respite in nature. I love hiking, running, swimming, surfing, playing in my garden and climbing trees. I love spontaneous adventures and travelling. I want to set foot on every continent. I am a coffee snob and enjoy cooking. I love engaging with other humans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel Downs, MD

 

I am a non-traditional student that not only grew up in this area, but I also lived, worked, and started my family here long before I decided to pursue a career in medicine. Even after making the decision to become a doctor, I stayed local and completed my undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina Upstate and received my medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville. The Upstate is my home and I look forward to continuing my training here at the Greer Family Medicine Residency.

To say that I feel like I hit the “Jackpot” for residencies is an understatement. As a student I was able to do an away rotation at Greer and I was instantly amazed by the genuine compassion and supportive relationships that the faculty not only had with patients but with each other as well. One of the best qualities of this program is the interest that everyone from the attending physicians to the nursing staff at our clinic has for helping residents grow into confident, caring, patient-centered providers. I am grateful to be able to say that I know my residency program will not only develop my clinical skills as a physician but also foster an environment where I can develop my own career interests in medicine too. My interests include Collaborative Care Models, Child and Adolescent Medicine, and Patient Education.

While I enjoy being able to work my dream job every day, I am a mom first and I love spending quality time with my children and family when I am not logging work hours. Vacationing is the absolute best, and I can think of no better way to spend a day than taking a long walk on a beach, anywhere in the world. I am always willing to take a moment to have a good laugh with my co-residents as often as I can, read a new book, take a day trip to an antique shop, or enjoy an evening of completely not thinking!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Heck, DO

 

Originally from Florida, I relocated to the mountains of North Carolina where I worked in web development until matriculating at the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. Once I embarked upon the difficult yet rewarding journey to practice medicine, I knew this was my true calling. I am excited to help take care of my community using compassionate, evidence-based medicine with a particular interest in behavioral health. I chose to continue my training in Greer because of the supportive culture, wonderful people, and perfect location. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, gardening, and the occasional video game or science fiction book. I am so happy and proud to be a part of the Greer Family Medicine Residency team!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erica Jolly, MD

 

I am originally from the Spartanburg area and lived in various parts of it while growing up. I went to Wofford College for undergrad and then moved away to Columbia, SC to complete medical school at the USC School of Medicine there. When choosing a location for residency, I wanted to head back toward my roots and be closer to family and loved ones in the Upstate area. When I discovered the Prisma Health Family Medicine program at Greer, I fell in love with the people and atmosphere and knew that it was going to be the place for me.

Family has always been a very important part of my life, so it wasn’t a difficult decision to choose Family Medicine as the specialty for my medical career. I am interested in preventative medicine, women’s health, and rural medicine. I love that I can work with such a diverse patient population. While the Greer Family Medicine Residency Program is still new, I am excited to be a part of its second class and help in its advancement.

My interests outside of work include spending time with my family and close friends. I also enjoy cooking (I always said if medicine didn’t work out, culinary school was my backup), hiking (Paris Mountain is one of my favorite places to go) and sending the occasional meme (life is too short to not laugh as much as you can). I look forward to spending the next three years at Prisma Health in Greer and will ensure that I provide quality care to all of my patients.

 

 

 

 

 

Kristen Landy, DO

 

 

I was born and raised in Melbourne, FL. I completed my undergrad at the University of Florida, and a Master’s in Medical Science at University of South Florida. I attended medical school at Campbell University. I have been slowly trying to work my way closer to the Appalachian Mountains by first getting to NC, then doing rotations in Charlotte, and finally coming to the foothills here in Greer.

I chose Greer Family Medicine Residency Program because of the faculty and culture at this program. Being a newer program, Greer has quickly established itself as being a warm and supportive environment. In addition, the faculty here is responsive to residents and I have the opportunity to have more input on my education.

My interests in medicine include OMT and lifestyle/preventative medicine. I think as primary care doctors, we should try to view our job as preventing chronic illness before it happens rather than just treating when it crops up.

The love of my life is my Husky mix, Aurora, who loves the mountains and hiking just as much as I do. We are in heaven here in the foothills at Greer with tons of opportunity to get outside.

 

 

 

 

 

Krishna Patel, DO

 

 

My name is Krishna Patel, and I am from Johns Creek, Georgia. I completed my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Georgia State University and earned my medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – Georgia.

I chose to pursue residency at the Greer Family Medicine Program because I was looking for a community-based program with faculty that genuinely cared about their residents’ education and well-being. During the interview, I felt a unique connection with the entire team, I could immediately tell that they were all a family. In addition, I couples matched with my husband, who is now in the Greer Psychiatry Residency Program – I truly feel like it was fate!

My interests within family medicine include lifestyle medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine, and women’s’ health. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my husband and family, and caring for our German Shepherd rescue pup, Duke. I also like painting, dancing, hiking, and exploring the outdoors and new restaurants.