Faculty
Brent Smith, MD, MSc, MLS, FAAFP Program Direct
Brent Smith is a native of Cleveland, MS and became the Program Director at MSDFMR after practicing in Cleveland for 9 years. A graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Smith went on to complete a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Alabama before returning to his hometown to practice. During his time in Cleveland, he practiced in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinic, inpatient, emergency room, hospice, and sports coverage. In 2022, he joined the faculty at MDFMR and became Program Director in 2023. Smith currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Family Physicians, is a previous chair of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, and is active in many other state and local organizations. After work he can usually be found at one of his niece or nephew's games or events, or relaxing with his dog Klover.
In his own words:
"The Delta is home for me, and the chance to train physicians to take care of the people that shaped my childhood and youth is the single biggest challenge and reward of my career."
Contact Information
Email: psmith@deltahealthsystem.org
Phone: 662-725-6266
Brett Zepponi, DO Assistant Program Director
Dr. Zepponi is a graduate of Mississippi College, earning a B.S. in Biology. In 2017, he went on to receive his osteopathic medicine degree from William Carey University-College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his family medicine residency at the North Mississippi Medical Center Family Medicine residency program in Tupelo, MS before returning to the Delta and joining the residency faculty where he currently serves as the Associate Program Director. He is board certified in Family Medicine by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
In his own words:
"It was an easy decision for me to return to my hometown. Not only is there a sense of belonging when reconnecting with your roots and feeling at home but it was also important for me to raise a family with a support network of people I know well. It can be incredibly fulfilling to provide care for familiar faces and being a physician in my hometown has allowed me to give back to the community that shaped me. Aligning with residency program has been an added benefit in giving me the opportunity to help train young physicians that provide care in this underserved area."
Deirdre "Lessa" Phillips, MD,MPH,FAAFP Core Faculty/DIO
Dr. Phillips received her B.S. degree from Newcomb College, M.D. from Tulane University School of Medicine, and MPH from San Jose State University. She completed a Family Medicine residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where she was Chair of the Department of Family Medicine for 20 years. She is Professor and Chair Emeritus of Family Medicine at UMMC. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine, a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Designated Institutional Official of the MSMERC Mississippi Delta Family Medicine Residency Program.
Anthony Carter, MD Core Faculty
Dr. Carter is a graduate of Millsaps College, earning a B.S. in Biology. He went on to complete a M.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences prior to receiving his MD degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2020. He completed his family medicine residency at the MS Delta Family Medicine Residency program in Greenville, MS before joining the residency faculty where he also serves as the medical student clerkship director. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and currently serves as a board member of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.
In his own words:
“This community has provided me with so much during my residency. I want to give back by continuing to serve our community and by helping along the next generations of physicians to better the health of the Mississippi Delta.”
Andrea Collins, MD Core Faculty
Dr. Andrea Collins is a graduate from Johns Hopkins University, earning a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. Dr. Collins completed her medical degree at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and completed her Family Medicine Residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She also obtained a Masters in Business Administration from Mississippi State University. Her career has mostly been spent working in rural Mississippi, including West Point, Starkville, Natchez, Meridian, Brookhaven, Meadville, Tylertown, Hazlehurst, and Indianola, working as a hospitalist and/or emergency medicine physician. She has also served as a nursing home director of East Mississippi State Hospital in Meridian, MS. Dr. Collins is currently faculty at MSMERC Mississippi Delta Family Medicine Residency in Greenville, Mississippi but previously served as Assistant Program Director and Program Director.
Eric Wilkerson, MD Core Faculty
A lifelong resident of Mississippi, Dr. Wilkerson spent most of his early years living in Byhalia before attending the University of Mississippi in Oxford, where he
received a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Chemistry. He received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He then attended the Mississippi Delta Family Medicine Residency Program in Greenville and served as Assistant Chief Resident. After graduation, he joined the residency as faculty. He is a board-certified Family Medicine practitioner and a member of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was a recent recipient of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Wilkerson lives with his wife Ashley, son Trace, and dog, Molly. He enjoys hiking and numismatics in his free time.
In his own words:
“I feel extremely fortunate to be able to practice in the Mississippi Delta. The hospitality here in unparalleled.”
John Parks, MD, FAAFP Clinic Faculty
Dr. Parks received his B.A. from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, majoring in International Relations. He earned his MD at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC and completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Dr. Parks has worked in the medical field in Afghanistan, Ghana, and South Africa. Prior to entering practice with Dr. James Wright at the Lake Village Clinic in Lake Village, Arkansas, Dr. Parks was the Head of the Department of Family Medicine and Residency Director at the University of Malawi College of Medicine in Blantyre, Malawi from 2010-2015. He is a Fellow of the AAFP and a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine.
In his own words:
“I moved back to the Mississippi Delta with my family 2 years ago. It feels like life has come full-circle working with young doctors in the same building where I was born. Helping cultivate these residents and watching them grow is very rewarding.”
Shannon Myers, MD, FAAFP Clinic Faculty
Dr. Parks received his B.A. from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, majoring in International Relations. He earned his MD at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC and completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Dr. Parks has worked in the medical field in Afghanistan, Ghana, and South Africa. Prior to entering practice with Dr. James Wright at the Lake Village Clinic in Lake Village, Arkansas, Dr. Parks was the Head of the Department of Family Medicine and Residency Director at the University of Malawi College of Medicine in Blantyre, Malawi from 2010-2015. He is a Fellow of the AAFP and a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine.
In his own words:
“I moved back to the Mississippi Delta with my family 2 years ago. It feels like life has come full-circle working with young doctors in the same building where I was born. Helping cultivate these residents and watching them grow is very rewarding.”
James Wright, DO, FAAFP Clinic Faculty
Dr. Wright is a native of the Delta. After earning his B.S. in biology from the University of Arkansas Monticello, he completed his medical training at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO. Dr. Wright finished a family medicine residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, AR. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
In his own words:
“I have been extremely fortunate to have been able to return my hometown of Lake Village, AR to practice medicine and be of service to all those who nurtured and cared for me while growing up, including teachers, coaches, friends and others that I grew up with. It has been very rewarding and an absolute joy. I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the fine physicians associated with the MS Delta Family Medicine Residency Program.”
Lee Ann Bowlin Family Medicine Program Coordinator
A native of Greenville, MS., Lee Ann Bowlin graduated from Washington School in Greenville and earned a degree in Fashion Merchandising from Bauder Fashion College in Arlington, TX. She has been employed with Delta Health The Medical Center for 23 years. Prior to joining the residency program in 2020 she was the Recruitment Coordinator for Delta Health.
In her own words:
"Getting to see young physicians come to this area, embrace this community, and grow as clinicians and people is such an amazing experience. I am proud to be part of this program and of the work we are doing."
Contact Information:
Email: lbowlin@deltahealthsystem.org
Phone: 662-725-1384
Mya Leslie Residency Administrative Assistant
Mya Leslie is a native of Benoit, MS and a graduate of Ray Brooks High School in 2016. she then attended Mississippi College, where she earned a B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Kinesiology. Mya joined the residency program in 2024.
Contact Information:
Email: mleslie@deltahealthsystem.org
Phone: 662-725-6272