Providence St. Mary welcomes its first class of internal medicine residents and a future of greater access to care in the High Desert

With more than 2,000 applicants vying for just 10 coveted spots, Providence St. Mary Medical Center has officially launched its inaugural Internal Medicine Residency Program, an initiative made possible through the generosity of The Rauch Family Foundation and others in our donor community.

Our residency program is the final stage of medical training, where newly minted doctors gain real-world experience under the supervision of experienced Providence St. Mary physicians. The presence of a residency program at Providence St. Mary signals a transformative leap forward for health care in the High Desert.

“This is a momentous step not just for the hospital, but for our entire region,” says Elan Mohanty, M.D., our new program director. “It means more doctors, better access to care and a future where our community is cared for by physicians who understand its unique needs.”

Eight of the 10 inaugural residents have lived or worked in Southern California. During the interview process, prospective residents learn about the organization and all selected St. Mary as one of their desired destinations, a testament to the program’s mission and its alignment with their values to make a meaningful impact.

Our residents, who began the program on July 1, are guided by an experienced team led by Graduate Medical Education Director Michele Lynn and Program Coordinator Nolisha Jackson. Together, they bring over 20 years of residency program leadership from esteemed institutions, including UC Riverside and Loma Linda.

Bringing more doctors to the High Desert

Our residency program is not just about training doctors; it’s about keeping them here in our community. Research shows that many physicians choose to stay and practice in the communities where they complete their training. With the High Desert experiencing a critical shortage of doctors, this program couldn’t come at a more urgent time.

One in five local residents lives in poverty, and many struggle to access timely, preventive care. That reality is what drove The Rauch Family Foundation to support the residency program from its inception.

“We are incredibly grateful to The Rauch Family Foundation for their vision and commitment,” says Chief Executive Randy Castillo. “They recognized the profound difference this program could make, not just for our hospital, but for generations of patients.”

Caring for the underserved

As part of their training, residents will provide outpatient care at the newly established Continuity Clinic, where each will manage a panel of patients throughout their residency under the guidance of experienced physicians. These long-term physician- patient relationships will improve care, boost patient trust and compliance, and allow residents to see firsthand the challenges faced by underserved populations.

“Mentoring residents is one of the most meaningful things we can do as physicians,” says Dr. Mohanty. “It brings new energy to our faculty, reminds us why we became doctors in the first place, and allows us to shape a generation of physicians who are as committed to community care as we are.”

With its inaugural class now in place, the Providence St. Mary Internal Medicine Residency Program marks a powerful investment in the future of health care in the High Desert, one that blends mission, medicine and mentorship to change lives.