On July 1, new physicians will begin their residency training at T.J. Regional Health through the University of Louisville / Glasgow Family Medicine Residency (FMR) Program. After graduating from medical school, physicians are required to complete residency training in their chosen specialty before they are able to practice medicine independently. These new resident physicians were selected after a rigorous vetting and interview process from hundreds of applications received from graduating medical students.
Established in 1997, Glasgow FMR concentrates on training physicians for practice in a rural-based community that spans several counties and supports nearly 200,000 people. T.J. Samson Community Hospital provides residents with the unique opportunity to individualize their three years of hands-on training in a hospital setting.
This year’s new resident physicians include: Micha Thomas, DO; Blessy George, MD; Manish Shetty, MD; Brenden Van Der Werff, MD and Amad Mohammad, MD
Micha Thomas, DO
Dr. Micha Thomas was born and raised in Glasgow. She did her undergrad at Western Kentucky University and received her D.O. degree at the University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine May 2024. Dr. Thomas holds a deep love of the small town culture and looks forward to giving back to her hometown. Some of her hobbies include golf, spending time with family, and a lifelong love of reading.
Blessy George, MD
Dr. Blessy George was born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She completed a transitional year at HMH Palisades Medical Center in New Jersey. She received her medical degree from American International Medical University SOM Saint Lucia. Dr. George draws inspiration from her faith, and approaches her work with a strong sense of purpose and integrity. In her free time, she enjoys painting and modern calligraphy.
Manish Shetty, MD
Dr. Manish Shetty received his medical degree from Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore, India where he also grew up. He developed a passion for holistic patient care and community health following medical school. Dr. Shetty was previously a Research Assistant in the Department of Child Neurology at the University of Louisville researching on pediatric epilepsy surgery. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new places, learning cooking recipes and spending time with friends. Dr. Shetty is eager to serve and make a meaningful impact in the community of Glasgow.
Brenden Van Der Werff, MD
Dr. Van Der Werff attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He received his Medical Degree from University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine in May 2024. Dr. Van Der Werff enjoys hiking, reading and cooking.
Amad Mohammad, MD
Dr. Amad Mohammad is a native of Chicago, Illinois, where he was born and raised. He completed his first year of residency in Northern New Jersey, where he treated rare diseases and became very familiar with hospital medicine. During this time, he also developed a passion for patient care continuity and community health. Dr. Mohammad previously served as a medical Instructor and academic advisor at Kaplan Medical in New York City, where he received numerous awards for student success. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, working out, and spending time with friends. Dr. Mohammad is eager to serve and make a meaningful impact in the community of Glasgow. He will be joining the program in his second year of residency.
“We are pleased to welcome another diverse group of family medicine residents from around the world to T.J. Regional Health,” Neil Thornbury, CEO stated. “I’m extremely proud of this program, which is a vital asset to our healthcare community. Graduates from our Family Medicine Residency Program go on to provide care around the globe, to serve their country, to work in academia, and they are noted for their leadership throughout the nation.”
The T.J. Samson Family Medicine Center provides compassionate care for the whole family. The physicians serve people of all ages, including newborns, children, adolescents and adults. With 18 physicians and a dedicated support staff, the Family Medicine Center is well equipped to handle significant patient volume. The Family Medicine Program sees more than 12,000 patient visits per year in their office, hospital, and nursing homes.
For more information, please contact the T.J. Samson Family Medicine Center at 270.651.4797 or visit tjregionalhealth.org/fmr.
About T.J. Regional Health
T.J. Regional Health, the parent system of T.J. Samson Community Hospital and T.J. Health Columbia is accredited by The Joint Commission and is the healthcare destination in southcentral Kentucky. In addition to two hospitals, the growing organization owns and operates the T.J. Health Pavilion, the Family Medicine Center and Residency Program, Hospice and Home Care Services, T.J. Orthopedics,
Rural Health Clinics throughout southcentral Kentucky, and R+ Med Spa. For more information about the services offered at T.J. Regional Health, please visit www.tjregionalhealth.org.
(Stacey Biggs, EVP of Marketing, Planning & Development – T.J. Regional Health)