Our Program

Program Leadership

M. Douglas Leahy, M.D. – Program Director (Internal Medicine)

Dr. Leahy has been an internist for greater than 40 years both in ambulatory and inpatient practices.

Osareme “Anthony” Irivbogbe, M.D. – Associate Program Director & Department Chair (Internal Medicine)

Dr Osareme Irivbogbe (Dr. Anthony) is an interventional cardiologist with Tennova Heart in Knoxville, Tennessee where he lives and practices.

Barbara Paterson, D.O. – Associate Program Director (Internal Medicine)

Dr. Paterson is a hospitalist physician with Tennova Health – Knoxville.

Douglas Damron, M.D. – Associate Program Director (Internal Medicine)

Dr. Damron has been a hospitalist for 20 years of his 38 years in medicine. He enjoys teaching 3rd/4th year medical students and looks forward to teaching IM residents how to become great physicians.

Neil Barry, D.O., MBA – Core Faculty & Subspecialty Education Coordinator (Cardiovascular Medicine)

Dr. Neil G Barry IV is a native of Middlesboro, Kentucky and a graduate of LMU-DCOM class of 2013.

Richard Lee, M.D., M.A., MBA – Core Faculty (Internal Medicine)

A native Knoxvillian, Dr. Lee has practiced community Medical Oncology for thirty years, splitting time equally between the urban Knoxville community and outreach clinics in rural Appalachian communities.

Jennifer Phemister, M.D. – Core Faculty (Gastroenterology)

Dr. Jennifer Phemister received her medical degree and completed her internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine.