VININGS MEDICAL CENTER

Welcome to VMC!

While this picture doesn't quite reflect the social distancing we encourage, it does remind us of moving forward through these challenging times.  We are here to help you get through this together!

Our Physicians

Anita Smith, MD

Board Certified, American Board of Family Medicine

One of my top priorities as a physician is to be very approachable and down-to-earth.  My patients describe me as a good listener and as an open book.  Anytime someone sees me from a recommendation of a fellow patient, I am very grateful and hope I live up to their expectations.  I do believe lifestyle plays a central role in health, so do not be surprised if I talk about diet, exercise, and stress-reduction.  Medicine certainly has its place, but only if we need it.

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This picture was taken in 2005, so I have some additional years on me, but I am very camera-shy.  Updating this is on (the bottom) of my to-do list.

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I grew up in Minnesota and promised myself I would move south when the windchill was -70 degrees.  I followed my now-husband to the University of Kentucky, where I graduated from the College of Medicine with honors in 2000.  I completed my family medicine residency at Emory University in 2003, which is how we got to Atlanta.  I have been the main physician at VMC since 2005. 

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Rakesh Sarma, MD

Board Certified, American Board of Internal Medicine

Board Certified, American Board of Integrative & Holistic Medicine

My experience in medicine has taught me many lessons, one of the most important of which is, in addition to a prescription, time spent with a patient discussing different contexts that affect health go a long way.  I especially enjoy assisting people examine and improve on their current perspectives on health through investigation of dietary and lifestyle habits.  This is often as valuable as a medicine in its own right.  

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I completed medical school at the AUC School or Medicine and completed my residency in internal medicine at Mercer Univeristy, where I was chief resident, in 2006.  In 2011, I completed a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine through Dr. Andrew Weil's program at the University of Arizona.

In my free time I enjoy classical yoga and meditation, cooking, swimming, playing racquetball and hiking.

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I look forward to assisting you in your path to better health and I thank you for your trust in allowing me to do so.

Resources

Scope of Practice

"Family medicine is the medical specialty which provides continuing, comprehensive health care for the individual and family. It is a specialty in breadth that integrates the biological, clinical and behavioral sciences. The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, all genders, each organ system and every disease entity."  -American Academy of Family Physicians

• Dr. Smith sees patients, both male and female, from elementary school age to approximately retirement age.  She does not provide OB care but does provide general gynecological care as part of family medicine.  While her scope is broad, she chooses to refer conditions that require ongoing controlled prescription use to specialists. 

"Internal medicine: The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and medical treatment of adults."                                   -MedicineNet

• Dr. Sarma sees patients, both male and female, from age 18 to approximately retirement age.  He defers general gynecological care to Dr. Smith.  He also chooses to refer conditions that require ongoing controlled prescription use to specialists.

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