Rural Residency Planning and Development Program - Eligible Entity/Facility: Type - Rural Hospital Project Director (PD) Name & Contact Information: Hanadi Abou Dargham, MD, FAAFP, Program Director, Family Medicine Residency Program Assistant Professor of Family Medicine-Touro University of California, Hospitalist-Sound Physicians Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center 2102 N. California Street. Stockton, Ca. 95204 Hanadi.AbouDargham900@commonspirit.org Tel: 209.547.7143 Fax: 209.547.7197 Residency Program Director Name & Contact Information Same as above: Project Director Program Pathway General Primary Care and High Need Specialty Pathway Residency Residency Specialty Family Medicine (FM) Residency Format New Rural Track Program (RTP New Program Accreditation) Sponsoring Institution St Joseph's Medical Center, Stockton, CA Institution: 8000501160 Rural Target Area Calaveras County Funding Amount Requested: $748,498.40 Program Sustainability Option Option 3 – Medicare FTE Resident Cap Expansion for RTPs and Option 4 – Other Public Funding Projected Total Number of Residents Six (2-2-2) Expected ACGME Accreditation Date: 5 /2026 and Residency Matriculation Date: 7/2026 List of Recent HRSA Awards received within the last 5 years Rural Health Outreach and Rural Network Development Program/Rural Health Clinic Vaccine Confidence Program Award Number 1 G29RH42974-01-00, 7/1/2021-6/30/2022. Overview: Mark Twain Medical Center (MTMC), a rural site in Calaveras County is applying for these funds to support the establishment of a FM RTP. This FM residency will result in the mitigation of the dire shortage of primary care physicians in Calaveras County. An Urban (33% at SJMC in PGY1)/Rural (67% at MTMC in PGY2 and PGY3) Model is proposed for this project. Residents embarking on their medical training will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the intricacies of integrated rural health clinics and acute care facility. These clinics, seamlessly woven into the fabric of the community, serve as essential pillars of healthcare accessibility for the residents of Calaveras County. The proposed partnership between SJMC and MTMC will increase the pool of physicians trained to meet the health care needs of the rural population of Calaveras County. Measurable Goals and Objectives: Goal 1: To establish a new ACGME accredited FM RTP at MTMC in partnership with SJMC GME FM Program, an urban site. Objectives: 1.Increase the number of residents who choose to practice in rural areas by developing a new 2-2-2 RTP 2. Submit ACGME application for accreditation of the new RTP. 3. Establish the new RTP and train the first resident class of two residents no later than 7, 2026. Goal 2: To develop a sustainability plan for the proposed FM RTP that ensures the financial health of the collaborating organizations. Objectives: 1.Create a detailed sustainability plan based on financial analysis. 2. MTMC will apply for Song Brown and Cal Medforce funding and continue annually thereafter. Goal 3: To utilize a robust evaluation and tracking plans for the FM RTP. Objectives: 1. Review and enhance the current SJMC Tracking Plan. 2. Develop and implement data and program evaluation methods. The success of this project will be driven by CommonSpirit Health’s collaborative approach, bringing together MTMC, the MTMC clinics, and SJMC’s Family Medicine Residency Program. In developing the infrastructure for this residency program, we will leverage the expertise and leadership of both facilities, alongside the guidance of the family medicine clinic physician director and our consulting firm, PFKHealth. Additionally, SJMC’s deep knowledge of GME programs, financial sustainability, and operational models will be instrumental in building a strong foundation for the new MTMC RTP. By fostering collaboration across all partners, we will ensure a sustainable and high-performing residency program that meets the needs of our communities.
