- Cultivating Rural Healthcare Leaders Since 2023 -

New Residents at Gala

Photo: (Center) Dr. Glenn Gookin, MD, Residency Program Director, welcoming our first two residents at the Inaugural Summer Residency Gala. New residents (Left) Nicholas Sparr, originally from Beaverton, Oregon and (Right) Kelty White, originally from Truckee, California.

A Vital Program for Our Community and Beyond

The Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program stands as a cornerstone of our commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare in rural communities. Launched in 2023 with its inaugural cohort, this innovative program is designed to train the next generation of family physicians right here in Grass Valley, ensuring compassionate and expert care for years to come.

Thriving & Growing: Our Residents in Action

We are incredibly proud to see our program not just grow, but truly thrive. What began with two pioneering residents in 2023 has expanded to a full cohort of six dedicated physicians now training within our community.

This integrated rural training program, developed in partnership with Dignity Health’s Methodist Hospital of Sacramento, brings future family physicians to Grass Valley for their second and third years of residency. Here, they gain invaluable hands-on experience at Chapa-De Indian Health Clinic, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, and local specialty practices. This immersive training builds the essential skills and strong community connections needed to serve rural populations with excellence and compassion.

Next year marks a significant milestone as we anticipate celebrating our inaugural graduating class – a testament to the program's vital success and the dedication of our residents. We were especially honored to have all six residents attend this year’s Starry, Starry Nights, where they connected with the very community they now call home.

Pioneering Street Medicine: A $3 Million HRSA Grant to Address Homelessness

We are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking achievement that will significantly expand the impact of our residency program and others across Northern California. The Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation (SNMHF), in a collaborative effort with Dominican Hospital Foundation, Mercy Medical Center Merced Foundation, and St. Joseph's Foundation of San Joaquin, has successfully secured a $3 million Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant.

This substantial award is dedicated to integrating comprehensive Street Medicine training into primary care residency programs, including our own. This pioneering initiative addresses the critical healthcare needs of unhoused communities by designing and implementing curricula that teach primary care physicians how to break down barriers to care, improve health outcomes, and foster a more compassionate healthcare system for all.

"This $3 million HRSA grant is a testament to the incredible impact we can achieve when we unite for a common purpose," stated Sandra Barrington, SNMHF Executive Director. "Medical care for our local unhoused communities has always been a concern for SNMH Foundation, the Hospital, and our partner organizations. This grant allows us to profoundly impact medical care by equipping future healthcare professionals with specialized training to address the unique challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness."

This grant exemplifies the profound potential of cross-regional collaboration, showcasing how our combined expertise and coordinated efforts can secure larger funding opportunities and make a greater impact across the region. As Heather Thorpe, SNMHF Board President, eloquently put it, "When we work together as a region, we can make a greater impact, which is what funders are truly seeking. This grant is a powerful example of that principle in action."

The secured funding will make a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals by enhancing the skills and understanding of future medical professionals, further strengthening our commitment to delivering compassionate care.

Our Journey So Far: Building a Legacy of Excellence

The official launch of the Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program in 2023 was the culmination of years of meticulous planning and strategic capacity building. We proudly commemorated this remarkable achievement with the Summer Residency Gala, bringing together essential partners, generous donors, hospital representatives, Chapa-De Indian Health staff, and esteemed community leaders.

The gala was highlighted by a momentous welcome ceremony, introducing our inaugural two physician residents, Dr. Nick Sparr and Dr. Kelty White. Dr. Sparr, hailing from Bend, Oregon, and Dr. White from Truckee, California, led the way as the first participants in this vital rural residency initiative.

The Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation's commitment to the program was fortified by significant grant funding secured years ago. A recent fundraising campaign successfully amassed $300,000, contributing to a total of $1.1 million raised for the program so far when combined with prior grant funding. As Sandra Barrington affirmed during the gala, "Our dedication to post-graduate medical education remains unwavering, ensuring the enduring success of the program in our community."

The Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program is poised to make a lasting impact on medical education and healthcare within the region, nurturing and empowering future medical professionals to serve the community diligently.

About Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital:

Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital is a leading healthcare institution dedicated to providing exceptional patient care, advanced medical treatments, and comprehensive health services to the community it serves. With a commitment to excellence and compassion, the hospital strives to enhance the well-being of patients and their families.

Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program:

The Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program is an integrated rural training program based out of the Dignity Health Methodist Hospital of Sacramento Family Medicine Residency Program. Residents will complete their intern year at Methodist Hospital and Mercy Family Medical Clinic in Sacramento, CA. In their 2nd and 3rd years, residents will train in the beautiful, historic town of Grass Valley, CA at Chapa-De Indian Health Clinic, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, and local subspecialty outpatient offices.

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