Staff

Medical Team Composition

At Jeff Davis Hospital, you'll join a close-knit medical community where collegial relationships and collaborative care define the professional culture. Unlike the anonymous environment of larger health systems, here you'll know every colleague by name and develop the kind of working relationships that enhance both clinical care and professional satisfaction.

Primary Care Foundation:

Currently, three primary care physicians serve Jeff Davis County, with your position addressing part of the identified shortage of four additional primary care providers needed in this federally designated medically underserved area. Your arrival will be genuinely welcomed as an important addition to the community's healthcare resources.

Physician Colleagues: 

The medical staff directory reveals the constellation of providers you'll be joining:

  • Dr. Jason Laney, MD – Internal Medicine specialist at Laney Internal Medicine Group, supported by nurse practitioners Sharon Carter, FNP and Sherryl Copeland, FNP
  • Dr. Jeffery Butler, MD – Surgical specialist at Jeff Davis Family & Surgical
  • Dr. Kirk Munsayac, DO – Family Practice physician at Jeff Davis Walk-In Clinic who also provides specialized wound care services on the courtesy staff
  • Dr. Stephen Augustine, MD – Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine specialist on the courtesy staff

Advanced Practice Provider Team: 

A strong complement of experienced nurse practitioners enhances primary care access across the community:

  • Allen Crawford, FNC-P – Family Practice provider at Jeff Davis Walk-In Clinic
  • Eric Carelock, FNP and Jennifer Carelock, FNP – Family Practice providers at Family Healthcare Connections
  • Bonnie Pittman, FNP – Family Practice provider at Jeff Davis Family Medical Group

Practice Locations: 

The medical community operates from several convenient locations throughout Hazlehurst, including:

  • Jeff Davis Walk-In Clinic (22 Cross Street)
  • Laney Internal Medicine Group (209 South Tallahassee Street)
  • Jeff Davis Family & Surgical (11 Cross Street)
  • Family Healthcare Connections (15 Yarbrough Street)
  • Jeff Davis Family Medical Group (9 Hester Street)

Legacy of Service: 

You'll be stepping into a role previously held by a physician who served the community for many years, joining a medical staff where professional longevity is common. Several physicians have practiced at Jeff Davis Hospital for decades, creating stability that patients value and that contributes to the hospital's trusted position in the community.

Hospitalist Service: 

A dedicated hospitalist team manages inpatient and ICU care, providing 24/7 coverage for hospitalized patients. These experienced physicians ensure continuity of care for patients requiring admission and serve as valuable colleagues for consultation and coordination.

Specialty Coverage: 

While primarily a primary care and general service hospital, Jeff Davis maintains visiting specialist clinics and consulting relationships that expand available services. The courtesy staff arrangement with specialists like Dr. Stephen Augustine (Orthopedic Surgery) exemplifies how the hospital brings specialty expertise to the community while preserving its focus on essential healthcare services.

Clinical Support Structure

The support system surrounding physicians at Jeff Davis Hospital creates an environment where you can focus primarily on patient care rather than administrative tasks.

Clinical Support Personnel: Each provider works with dedicated clinical support staff, typically including nursing professionals and medical assistants who handle patient preparation, basic assessments, and follow-up coordination. Many of these staff members have deep roots in the community and bring valuable insights about patients and their families.

Collaborative Care Models: The structure of practices like Laney Internal Medicine Group, where Dr. Laney works with two nurse practitioners, demonstrates the collaborative approach to patient care that extends practice reach while maintaining physician oversight.

Administrative Support: A team of experienced administrative staff manages scheduling, billing, insurance verification, and other non-clinical functions. This support minimizes the administrative burden that increasingly consumes physician time in many practice settings.

Laboratory and Diagnostic Team: The hospital maintains professional laboratory and imaging departments staffed by certified technologists and technicians who provide timely, accurate diagnostic services essential to clinical decision-making.

IT Support: With the implementation of the Azalea EMR in the outpatient setting and Oracle Cerner PowerChart for inpatient documentation, dedicated IT personnel provide technical support and ongoing training to ensure these systems enhance rather than hinder patient care.

Support Staff Stability: Like the physician staff, many support personnel have served Jeff Davis Hospital for extended periods, creating an environment where institutional knowledge and community connections enhance operational efficiency. 

Practice Environment & Culture

The professional culture at Jeff Davis Hospital reflects both its critical mission and its deep community connections, creating an environment where physicians can thrive professionally while maintaining personal well-being.

Diverse Practice Models: The medical community supports various practice configurations—from solo practitioners to group practices with advanced practice providers—allowing physicians to practice in settings that match their preferences and strengths.

Specialized Niches: Physicians can develop focused areas of expertise, as demonstrated by Dr. Munsayac's dual roles in family practice and wound care, allowing for professional growth while meeting community needs.

Mission-Driven Approach: The team unites around a shared commitment to providing the best quality of care to all community members. This mission-focused culture creates common purpose among diverse healthcare professionals.

Professional Autonomy with Support: Physicians enjoy appropriate clinical independence while benefiting from collegial consultation and comprehensive support services. This balance allows for personalized patient care without the isolation sometimes experienced in private practice.

Accessible Leadership: Hospital administration maintains an open-door policy for physician concerns and suggestions. Your input on clinical operations and strategic planning will be genuinely valued and incorporated into decision-making processes.

Commitment to Work-Life Balance: The organization recognizes that physician well-being directly impacts quality of care, with scheduling and coverage arrangements deliberately structured to prevent burnout and support sustainable practice.

Community Integration: Medical staff members are recognized as community leaders and essential contributors to public welfare. This standing creates professional satisfaction extending beyond direct patient care.

Collaborative Problem-Solving: When challenges arise, the modest size of the organization allows for direct communication and rapid resolution rather than the bureaucratic responses typical of larger systems.

Continuous Improvement Focus: The hospital maintains a learning culture where best practices evolve based on evidence and experience, with physicians playing key roles in quality improvement initiatives.

At Jeff Davis Hospital, you'll never be just another provider in a large corporate structure. Instead, you'll be a valued member of a healthcare team where each professional knows they make a genuine difference in the organization's success and the community's health. The diversity of practice settings within this small community demonstrates the flexibility and support available to physicians seeking the right balance of autonomy, collaboration, and work-life integration. 

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