Internal Medicine Program Leadership
Greg Kendrick, MD
Program Director
After receiving his undergraduate degree from Ouachita Baptist University, Dr. Greg Kendrick graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1996 as Valedictorian. He went on to complete his residency in Internal Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.
Dr. Kendrick returned to central Arkansas in 1999 and joined the medical staff at Conway Regional Medical Center where he worked for 8 years in a traditional Internal Medicine practice before launching the Conway Regional Hospitalist Program in 2008. He has since continued to serve as Medical Director of the Conway Regional Hospitalist Program in addition to serving in numerous leadership roles at Conway Regional such as Chief of Staff 2017-2018, Performance Improvement Committee Chair 2020-Present, and Internal Medicine Residency Program Director 2020-Present.
Dr. Kendrick and his wife, Jenifer, are raising three children and are active in the Conway community. The Kendrick Family are members of Conway’s First Baptist Church and support and participate in multiple community organizations. Dr. Kendrick enjoys cycling, golfing, playing tennis, music, and traveling in his spare time.
Mary J. Burgess, MD
Internal Medicine Residency Associate Director
Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Residency: Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Fellowship: Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Dr. Mary Burgess was raised in the upper Midwest and completed her bachelor’s degree at Purdue University. She graduated from medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in 2008. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and Infectious Diseases fellowship training at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota from 2008-2014. She returned to UAMS in 2014 as faculty in the Division of Infectious Diseases, earning promotion to associate professor during her years of service at the academic center. She was active in multiple educational roles, including as the ID fellowship Associate Program Director from 2016 to 2018 and then as ID fellowship Program Director from 2018 until 2021. She was recognized with the Red Sash award, given to outstanding faculty in education.
In April 2021, Dr. Burgess joined Conway Regional as Infectious Diseases physician for the hospital system. She is serving on the Performance Improvement Committee, Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee and Infection Prevention Committee. She was appointed the role of Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine residency program.
Dr. Burgess has been active in research. Her areas of interest include HIV care, respiratory viral infections and infections in immunocompromised patients. She has mentored the research projects of numerous medical students, medicine residents and fellows, which have resulted in publications in medical journals and professional research presentations.
Dr. Burgess has called Arkansas her home since moving to the state in 2001 with her family. She is married to her husband, Dale, and they have raised two daughters. Her two favorite places to spend free time with her family are boating on Lake Ouachita and hiking and flyfishing in Big Sky, Montana.
Gina McNew, MD
Internal Medicine Residency Core Faculty
Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Dr. Gina McNew graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2004. After completing her residency at UAMS in 2007, she served as Chief Resident until 2008. During her residency she received nomination and was inducted into the AOA Honor Society, received the George Ackerman Intern of the Year award, and took first place in the the Arkansas ACP clinical vignettes oral competition in 2007.
In 2008, Dr. McNew joined the medical staff at Clopton Clinic and helped build the hospitalist program at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro until she opened her own Internal Medicine Practice in Vilonia, Arkansas in 2011. She joined Conway Regional Medical Center primary care network in 2015, allowing her to stay in Vilonia. She has served as medical director of Hospice Home Care, 2011-2018. She continues to provide medical director services for Harbor Home, a long-term rehab facility for women. Currently she serves on numerous committees including the ACM and Post-acute Care committee at Conway Regional Medical Center. She has served as a preceptor for nurse practitioner and physician assistant students from various programs. She will be serving as an outpatient Internal Medical Residency Program Assistant Director.
Dr. McNew grew up in Higden, Arkansas and moved to Central Arkansas in 1992 where she began college at Hendrix and transferred to UCA earning her degree in Biology and Chemistry. Before starting medical school, she worked as an EMT Preceptor for MEMS in Little Rock, Arkansas for six years. She and her husband, Brad, have been married for 28 years and have 4 children. She serves on the Vilonia school board as Vice President. Dr. McNew enjoys hiking, traveling, writing, and spending time with her family. She considers herself a plantsman and rockhounder.
Arthur Slaton, MD
Internal Medicine Residency Core Faculty
Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas after graduating from high school, Dr. Arthur Slaton moved to Little Rock where he received his undergraduate degree from University of Arkansas at Little Rock while also being a member of the Trojan baseball team. He then received his medical degree from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2017. He went on to complete his residency in Internal Medicine at UAMS as well, graduating in 2020.
Dr. Slaton joined the staff at Conway Regional in the summer of 2020 as a Hospitalist where he continues to serve. He has a passion for education and enjoys teaching on rounds as well as giving lectures. He is a member of several Accountable Clinical Management Committees including the Informational Technology and Medicine sub-committees. His wife, Dr. Kala Slaton, is a practicing OB-GYN who joined Renaissance Women’s Clinic in the summer of 2020.
On days away from the hospital, the Slaton’s enjoy any outdoor activity including disc golf, hiking, lake activities and most yard games and cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks. On days away from the hospital, the Slaton’s enjoy any outdoor activity including disc golf, hiking, lake activities, most yard games, and cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Rachana Yendala, MD
Internal Medicine Residency Core Faculty
.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=4d677091_1)
Melissa Lear
Internal Medicine Residency Program Coordinator
Melissa Lear joined Conway Regional in 2018 as the Hospitalist Physician Coordinator. Having experience with the hospitalist group, Melissa was the perfect fit to also serve as the Internal Medicine Program Coordinator. As the Program Coordinator for both areas, Melissa brings a great amount of knowledge and skill to the GME team. Melissa has found Conway Regional to be committed to service excellence and provides superior quality healthcare. “I have learned Conway Regional has a culture rooted in service and each of my coworkers reflect that commitment. Their attitude, values, and commitment to service excellence is the utmost highest I have ever worked with.”