Alumni Spotlight
Anna Spelts, MD
Every story begins at Mercer
This Q&A series highlights the journeys of our graduates as they continue to live out the School of Medicine’s mission of service, compassion and lifelong learning.
A Conversation with Dr. Anna Spelts
From meaningful bedside moments to building lasting patient relationships, Dr. Anna Spelts’ journey reflects a deep commitment to rural Georgia. A Lee County native and Nathan Deal Scholar during her time at Mercer University School of Medicine, she graduated in 2018 and now practices internal medicine at St. Joseph’s/Candler Primary Care in Richmond Hill. In this Q&A, she shares how Mercer shaped her approach to care and why she finds rural medicine so rewarding.
Think back to medical school. What experience stands out as especially meaningful, and what did it teach you?
Sitting with patients and families in vulnerable moments — whether in the NICU, during cancer treatments or through an unexpected acute event — has been especially meaningful. My attendings modeled how to help patients and families make informed decisions that were right for them.
How did Mercer prepare you for the realities of practicing medicine, particularly in rural areas? Are there skills or lessons you still rely on today?
Mercer’s clinical skills instructor was instrumental in preparing me to practice in rural Georgia. She shared her own experiences and reminded us to think outside the box, which is a lesson I still rely on today.
How has MUSM’s mission to serve rural Georgia shaped your goals, values or approach to patient care?
Being part of Mercer’s mission has only grown more meaningful over time. I now have a large patient following, and many patients have moved with me from one practice to another because they trust me. I know them, and I’ve helped guide their care for years. That long-term relationship builds a strong bond of trust.
What advice would you offer current MUSM students who are interested in rural health?
I don’t know why anyone would want to practice in a big city. In a rural community, when you’re the primary physician, you get to do it all, and that’s incredibly rewarding.
When you think about the future of health care in rural Georgia, what gives you hope?
Mercer School of Medicine gives me hope, especially the way it continues to extend its reach into rural communities and improve health outcomes across Georgia.