Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center graduates largest internal medicine residency class

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) — Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center celebrated a milestone this month as nine physicians completed its internal medicine residency program, the largest graduating class since the program launched in 2021.

Hospital officials said several graduates matched into competitive fellowships in specialties including sleep medicine and critical care, while one physician will continue advanced training and genetics research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Two graduates will remain at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center as hospitalists.

The graduation also marks a leadership transition for the residency program. Dr. Matthew Riffle, who founded the internal medicine residency program and has served as its director since 2021, is retiring after more than 35 years practicing internal medicine in the Poplar Bluff community.

Interventional cardiologist Dr. Roland Njoh will succeed Riffle as program director.

The hospital will welcome eight new internal medicine residents on July 1. The incoming class will join nearly 20 resident physicians training in inpatient and outpatient settings while providing care throughout southeast Missouri.

Hospital officials said the residency program continues to expand access to physician training and help strengthen the region’s future healthcare workforce.