Meet our Internal Medicine staff

Dr. Jennifer Goldstein is a Internal Medicine Doctor at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College
Residency: Internal Medicine - Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA
Board Certification: Yes

I am an internist and work with the hospitalist teams, as well as transitions. I oversee the acute care services and many of the quality projects for specialty and inpatient services. 

In my free time I like to spend time with my son and dogs.  I am located on a barrier island and have a pond in my back yard so I love to bird and gator watch.  

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Dr. Athena Beldecos is board certified Internal Medicine doctor at the RHJVAMC.
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh
Residency: Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) at Portland, OR
Board Certification: Yes

I manage the Hospital Medicine providers at RHJVA. We have a dedicated and knowledgeable team taking care of Veterans who require admission to the hospital. We relentlessly look for opportunities to improve the care we deliver, our patients' outcomes, and their experience at RHJVA.   

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Dr. James "Jim" Oates  is board certified in Internal Medicine and a Rheumatologist at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.
Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Residency: Duke University Medical Center
Fellowship:  Duke University Medical Center and Medical University of South Carolina
Board Certification: Yes

I specialize in systemic lupus erythematosus and spend most of my time at VA in research. As a result of my interest in cardiovascular and kidney health in autoimmune diseases, I emphasize to patients the importance of a low ultra-processed food diet, exercise, and stopping smoking in improving their health and reducing the risk of disease flares, heart disease, and kidney disease. 

I am a rheumatologist with a special interest in systemic lupus erythematosus. I have a VA Merit Award to study how lupus affects the blood vessel lining (endothelium) to increase the risk of heart disease and kidney disease. My laboratory is currently studying a medication to improve the function of the endothelium to improve outcomes. Another interest of mine is in social determinants of health, as there is an association between disease prevalence and neighborhood factors. 

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Dr. Richard Schatz is board certified in Internal Medicine at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.
Medical School: University of Florida College of Medicine
Residency: Medical University of South Carolina
Fellowship:  Medical University of South Carolina
Board Certification: Yes - Internal Medicine

Passion and commitment to outstanding patient care. I have clinical interests in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, endoscopy teaching, and colorectal cancer screening and prevention 

Involved in multiple clinical trials investigating new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis), pain associated with chronic pancreatitis, metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, and patients with cirrhosis (i.e., novel screening marker for hepatocellular carcinoma)

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, golf, cooking, and traveling

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