Adventist Health Ukiah Valley Congratulates First Graduating Class of its Family Medicine and Residency Program

June 24, 2022 (Ukiah, CA) - Adventist Health Ukiah Valley is pleased to announce the first class of resident physicians will graduate from its rural-focused Family Medicine Residency Program on Sunday, June 26, 2022. The five graduating resident physicians are Dr. Jeffrey Baitis, Dr. John Lee, Dr. Joshua Levy, Dr. Hayley Rousek and Dr. Shamsher Singh.

The Family Medicine Residency Program was created in partnership with the community in 2019 to train physicians interested in rural medicine through hands-on, patient care experience in multiple settings and therapeutics areas. Throughout the three-year program, resident physicians complete rotations in family medicine, obstetrics, intensive care, and other specialties such as sports medicine. Pediatric rotations are completed through a partnership with UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.

“We're proud of our first class of graduates who have worked so hard to complete their residency in our community," says Dr. Jodi Parungao, Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program. “We've been honored to have these physicians serve the patients and the people of Mendocino County with us, and we look forward to welcoming the next class of residents to our program in July.”

The program also offers a specialized track for working with homelessness and addiction; designed in collaboration with community partners to better train physicians on providing care specific to these populations. Most importantly, it will expose a generation of physicians to the unique obstacles to accessing care that our patients often experience.

“I want to thank these graduating residents for choosing Adventist Health and Mendocino County to continue their medical education, and I congratulate them on their achievement,” says Judson Howe, President, Adventist Health North Coast Network. “Their service especially during one of the most challenging times in healthcare has been invaluable. I also want to thank our staff, the faculty and our community partners who have worked so hard to make this program a reality. Ultimately, our patients and community benefit most from the educational and collaborative environment fostered by our faculty, residents, fellows, medical staff, and nurses and we’re excited to watch the program grow and continue to serve the needs of our community.”

An invitation-only graduation ceremony will be held Sunday, June 26, 2022 at Saracina Vineyards in Hopland. An open-to-the-public community celebration will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 10:00-11:30 p.m. at the Adventist Health Ukiah Valley old helipad.

For more information about the Family Medicine services at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, please visit: https://www.adventisthealth.org/ukiah-valley/services/family-medicine