Outside of her family, there are two things Kerese Downer, MD, is passionate about: soccer and health care. And luckily for the Bethlehem area, she decided to become a family medicine doctor – although she still picks up a ball every chance she gets. Now, Dr. Downer is part of a new team as she’s accepting new patients at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Gateway Exchange.
“If I wasn’t a doctor, I’d probably be a professional soccer player,” Dr. Downer said. “My love for medicine and caring for people pulled me away from the game during college, and I’m so glad it did. I know I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, and I couldn’t be more excited to get started in Bethlehem at NGPG Gateway Exchange.”
Dr. Downer grew up in Florida, where she attended the University of Florida and earned her medical degree from International American University – completing rotations in Baltimore, Maryland and Phoenix, Arizona, along the way. She moved to Gainesville, Georgia, for her family medicine residency at Northeast Georgia Medical Center and decided to stay close by as she began her career.
“I really fell in love with north Georgia and all the cities around Gainesville,” Dr. Downer said. “Everyone is so kind, and I feel like I can make a difference here.”
Dr. Downer is married with two children – a 1-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl. She enjoys spending time outdoors hiking with her family, boating on the lake and doing yard work around the house. She enjoys traveling, too, and plans to eventually visit all of the Caribbean islands. She also loves to cook and eat, especially if it’s a steak right off the grill.
NGPG Gateway Exchange is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 426 Exchange Boulevard, Suite 600, in Bethlehem. Call 770-868-5186 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Downer, or visit ngpg.org/downer to learn more.
NGPG is an affiliate of Northeast Georgia Health System.