Introducing the 2025–2026 Chief Residents in Quality and Safety at the Atlanta VA

We are excited to announce the 2025-2026 academic year Quality and Safety Chief Residents at the Atlanta VA for the J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program! Eric Bethea, MD, and Brittany Tummings, MD, will be leading IM residents at the VA in patient safety and quality curricula, as well as mentoring residents with an interest in QI. Both physicians have already proven to be highly dedicated medical educators with an affinity for improving the quality and safety of health care for our nation’s veterans.

Eric Bethea, MD

Dr. Bethea is a Georgia native and a product of both the Emory School of Medicine and Emory Internal Medicine program and will be one of our Chief Residents in Quality and Safety (CRQS) for Emory. He holds a deep appreciation for the critical analysis of systems-based care and the potential for sustainable, positive change. He has training in public health as well as practical experience with his work within the health department that informs his approach to improving patient care. It has broadened his view of how healthcare can be transformed. Throughout his career, he has been committed to mentoring those who are earlier in their training. His passion for medical education motivates him to work with trainees. Between his extensive public health background and enthusiasm for mentoring and education, Dr. Bethea will be an enormous asset to our CRQS team!

Brittany Tummings, MD

Dr. Tummings was born in New York but considers her hometown to be Alpharetta, GA. She will complete her residency in Internal Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine and join us as one of our CRQS team members for the Emory Internal Medicine residency. Throughout her time in residency, she has shown great interest in multidisciplinary, systems-based care. This is most evident in her work on the Grady Code Blue Review Committee. She displays dedication to medical education as one of the leaders of the “Intern School” for interns in the Morehouse residency program. In addition to committee work and medical education, she is also involved in research related to sepsis. Dr. Tummings’ vast experience in several key areas for a CRQS makes her an invaluable addition to our program!