The Morehouse School of Medicine Dominican Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program in Santa Cruz, California, was established in 2022 to address health equity in our local and global communities. This 8-8-8 program is unopposed, serving the Central Coast of California as the only residency program in Santa Cruz County. We offer a well-rounded curriculum with additional focus on community-oriented primary care, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), whole-person care informed by osteopathic principles through our ACGME Osteopathic Recognition program, integrative and functional medicine for the underserved, and integrated behavioral health. Our mission is to train family physicians to provide excellent, patient-centered, whole-person care through a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach, preparing graduates to practice full-spectrum family medicine and serve underserved communities with compassion and cultural humility.
As part of Dignity Health, we are a member of CommonSpirit Health's national network of more than 2,200 care sites across 24 states. That broad perspective supports our local commitment to community-based training, health equity and compassionate care.
The More in Common Alliance is a partnership between CommonSpirit Health and Morehouse School of Medicine designed to expand graduate medical education opportunities, strengthen and diversify the physician workforce and improve access to care in communities that have historically experienced health disparities.
At Dominican Hospital, the alliance combines local clinical training and community-based experience with the academic resources of Morehouse School of Medicine and the broader network of CommonSpirit Health. Together, the organizations share a commitment to health equity, culturally responsive care and preparing physicians to serve communities with significant health care needs.
Welcome Message from the Program Director
Welcome to the Morehouse School of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program at Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz, which welcomed its first resident cohort in July of 2024. As a member of our resident classes, you will be instrumental in shaping the culture of our program while benefiting from a rigorous curriculum designed to fully prepare you for a career in family medicine.
Our program is a collaboration with Santa Cruz Community Health Center, Salud Para La Gente, and other key partners, providing a strong medical training environment deeply rooted in the community. Our mission to advance health equity, the vibrant medical community in this county, and the profound need for newly trained family physicians inspired me to lead this program. We are a community-based program, sponsored by the Morehouse School of Medicine and CommonSpirit Health, partnered to ensure health for every person through a culturally competent workforce.
Viewing care through a biopsychosocial lens and fostering a culture of belonging, we aim to serve the underserved and vulnerable populations of this county together. This is accomplished by providing comprehensive training for full-scope, culturally competent family medicine physicians, supporting each resident's unique professional goals, and equipping them with leadership skills to improve health among underserved communities. The CommonSpirit values of compassion, inclusion, integrity, excellence and collaboration combined with our program's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are are foundational to our curriculum and community partnerships.
It is in this spirit of humble leadership and appreciation that I welcome you to our program.
Gary J. Zane, DO
Program Director
Welcome from the Designated Institutional Official (DIO)
Welcome to the Morehouse School of Medicine-sponsored Family Medicine Residency Program at Dominican Hospital. We are proud to partner with Dominican Hospital and CommonSpirit Health through the More in Common Alliance to prepare the next generation of physicians while advancing health equity and expanding access to care.
At Morehouse School of Medicine, we are committed to providing a supportive learning environment where residents receive the mentorship, resources and clinical experiences needed to grow as compassionate, skilled physicians. We believe that patient safety, quality care and resident well-being are essential to developing future leaders who will make a lasting impact on the communities they serve.
Chinedu Ivonye, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine
Associate Dean, Graduate Medical Education
ACGME Designated Institutional Official (DIO)
Morehouse School of Medicine
Our Family Medicine program is designed to graduate physicians capable of practicing full-spectrum family medicine globally. Our curriculum robustly integrates Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS), Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OPP), and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) across all clinical learning experiences and didactic sessions.
Foundational training includes rotations in inpatient medicine, community and clinical integration workshops, obstetrics, inpatient pediatrics, ambulatory pediatrics, general surgery, POCUS and procedures, community medicine and behavioral health, geriatrics, palliative care and hospice, leadership and practice management, orthopedics/sports medicine, and acute rehabilitation unit/physiatry.
Expanded clinical responsibility involves inpatient medicine, ICU, obstetrics, inpatient pediatrics, ambulatory pediatrics, gynecology, emergency medicine, community medicine and behavioral health, leadership and practice management, orthopedics/sports medicine, and elective/selective rotations.
Independent practice preparation includes inpatient medicine, medical subspecialties, surgical subspecialties, emergency medicine, night float, community medicine and behavioral health, leadership and practice management, and extensive elective/selective rotations.
Integrative and Functional Medicine principles are embedded throughout the program. Residents participate in protected monthly didactic sessions across all three years and may opt into a curriculum designed to support national certification.
The program was one of the first residency programs in California to receive ACGME Osteopathic Recognition, demonstrating a commitment to teaching and assessing Osteopathic Principles and Practice across all six ACGME Core Competencies. Both MD and DO residents receive osteopathic training designed to support whole-person care, particularly in underserved communities.
Protected weekly didactic time is a core component of our curriculum, with robust hands-on Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) didactics. Protected wellness time is incorporated into didactics almost weekly, and Personal & Professional Development (P&PD) sessions are facilitated by trained faculty to foster support and community.
Residents currently have no call outside of their scheduled rotations. PGY-2 and PGY-3 rotations include a total of 6 weeks of night float (4 weeks as a PGY-2, and 2 weeks as a PGY-3), designed with ample time for rest and self-care. The program has eliminated "Jeopardy Call" to ensure resident well-being and uninterrupted learning.
Our program features a robust Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) program, with each resident having their own POCUS probe for use across all clinical settings. We are Reproductive Health Education in Family Medicine (RHEDI) Certified, providing residents with tools and procedural skills for reproductive justice. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) techniques are practiced daily in continuity clinic and a dedicated weekly OMT clinic.
The curriculum incorporates Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OPP) into resident scholarly and quality improvement projects, as well as journal club activities, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Each resident participates in a team based longitudinal QI project. This includes QI training sessions with CommonSpirit QI team along with a faculty mentor and QI department support for research development.
Elective and selective rotations are built into the curriculum in the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years, designed to support individualized learning plans and preparation for various career paths.
Santa Cruz County offers urban, suburban, and rural communities for training.
Dominican Hospital
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz Community Health Center
Santa Cruz, California
Watsonville Community Hospital
Watsonville, California
Salud Para La Gente
Watsonville, California
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Santa Cruz, California
Dignity Health Medical Foundation
Santa Cruz, California
University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC)
Santa Cruz, California
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Oakland, California
Santa Cruz Surgery Center
Santa Cruz, California
Golden State Orthopedics
Santa Cruz, California
Residents are eligible for benefits beginning on their first day of hire.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, annual resident salaries are:
PGY-1: $84,109.00
PGY-2: $86,908.00
PGY-3: $89,821.00
Chief resident: $91,621.00
Medical plan premiums paid in full for residents; low-cost coverage for enrolled dependents
Dental and vision insurance premiums paid in full for residents and enrolled dependents
Life and AD&D insurance (1x annual salary)
Long-term disability insurance
Optional spousal and dependent life insurance
Professional liability insurance
Four weeks of paid vacation and holiday leave
Paid medical, parental and caregiver leave
20 calendar days of vacation, 9 sick dates, and holiday leave based on rotation
Additional education and program-specific benefits, where available
5 CME dates and $2000 educational stipend per year
403(b) retirement plan with employer match through Fidelity (eligibility requirements apply)
Additional benefits vary by sponsoring institution and residency program
Santa Cruz County, comprising urban, suburban, and rural communities, is frequently recognized among the "Best Places to Live." Nestled among stunning beaches, majestic mountains, and ancient redwoods, this extraordinary place offers natural beauty alongside a vibrant, cosmopolitan culture just 30 miles from Silicon Valley. The South County, particularly Watsonville, is predominately Latinx with a large farmworker population, providing valuable training in bilingual and bicultural competence, supported by our Spanish proficiency program for residents.
Application Process
Our Residency Program accepts applications through ERAS, the Electronic Residency Application Service, until December 15, 2025. Applications are reviewed after receipt of the ERAS Application, which should include a personal statement detailing desire to work with underserved communities, interest in full-spectrum training, level or desire of Spanish proficiency, and future practice plans. Also required are three or more letters of recommendation, medical school transcript, USMLE/COMLEX scores, and MSPE.
NRMP CODE 2099120C1
Interview Season Information
Interviews take place from mid-October through mid-January. Selected applicants will be contacted by email via Thalamus. We offer both in-person and virtual/remote interviews.
International Medical Graduates
Applicants must meet one of the following medical school graduation qualifications: graduate of a medical school in the United States or Canada accredited by the LCME, graduate of a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the AOA, or graduate of a medical school outside the United States or Canada with a current valid ECFMG certificate or a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a U.S. licensing jurisdiction. We are not able to accept applicants with J1 Visas.
Medical Student Clerkships
We offer inpatient/outpatient family medicine rotations for fourth-year medical students. This sub-internship elective is designed to prepare medical students for residency, typically as a four-week block, with options for shorter durations. Students work with experienced physicians in ambulatory and inpatient settings, gaining hands-on experience. Rotations can be customized to individual interests, including inpatient medicine at Dominican Hospital, ambulatory community medicine at Santa Cruz Community Health Center (FQHC), and faculty-run private practices. Opportunities are also available to rotate through geriatrics, palliative care, and various outpatient clinics. Scholarships for underrepresented in medicine (URiM) students are available. For information, email Layla Franks, UME Program Administrator.
Role: Program Director
Program/affiliation: Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz Community Health
Medical school: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine Residency Program
Fellowship: UCSF Faculty Development Fellowship, National Institute for Program Director Development (NIPPD) Fellowship 2026-27
Clinical/academic interests: Resident & Faculty development, Osteopathic Medicine for the Underserved, community medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, biopsychosocial patient care
Role: Associate Program Director, Director of Osteopathic Education, Family Medicine OB Physician (FMOB)
Program/affiliation: Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz Community Health
Fellowship: Family Medicine Obstetrics Fellowship
Clinical/academic interests: Full spectrum Family Medicine, obstetrics, inpatient medicine, POCUS, critical care medicine, Osteopathic Medicine for the Underserved, global health, social justice
Role: Associate Program Director, Academic Medical Director, Family Medicine Physician
Program/affiliation: Santa Cruz Community Health
Medical school: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Residency: Sutter Health Family Medicine Residency Program
Fellowship: UCSF Faculty Development Fellowship
Clinical/academic interests: Reproductive justice, equitable access to healthcare, RHEDI, full-spectrum outpatient medicine, procedures, comprehensive reproductive healthcare, gender-affirming care, addiction medicine, POCUS, leadership, practice management, outpatient pediatrics, clinic first
Role: Core Faculty, Curriculum Chair, South County Director, Family Medicine OB Physician (FMOB)
Program/affiliation: Watsonville Community Hospital, Salud Para La Gente
Medical school: Mayo Clinic - Alix School of Medicine
Residency: PCC Medicine Wellness Center
Fellowship: Maternal Child Health
Clinical/academic interests: Family Centered Pediatrics & OB/Gyn longitudinal curriculum, maternal child health, FQHC, OB-Peds rotations
Role: Core Faculty, Director of Behavioral Health, Director of Resident Wellness, Psychiatrist
Program/affiliation: Santa Cruz Community Health
Medical school: Vanderbilt
Residency: UCLA, Psychiatry
Clinical/academic interests: Psychiatry, psychotherapy, community medicine, behavioral health, psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, OCD and anxiety management, sports psychiatry, ADHD treatment
Role: Core Faculty, Chair of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
Program/affiliation: Salud Para La Gente, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Medical school: University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago
Residency: Kaiser Permanente Northern California Obstetrics and Gynecology
Board certification: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Clinical/academic interests: Maternal and reproductive health, Latinx community, systemic inequities, Latinx immigrant women, agricultural field workers, young mothers, family- and community-centered approach to caring for pregnant people, strengthening and diversifying healthcare workforce
Role: Core Faculty, Director of Inpatient Adult Medicine
Program/affiliation: Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Hospitalist
Medical school: Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University
Residency: University of Pennsylvania Internal Medicine Residency
Board certification: Internal Medicine
Clinical/academic interests: Hospitalist medicine, quality improvement
Role: Core Faculty, Director of Integrative & Functional Medicine
Program/affiliation: Santa Cruz Community Health
Medical school: Boston University School of Medicine
Residency: Natividad Medical Center
Board certification: Family Medicine, Integrative Medicine
Clinical/academic interests: Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Whole Person Care, Lifestyle Medicine, Functional Nutrition Consultation, Health Coaching
Role: Core Faculty, Director of Electives Experience
Program/affiliation: Santa Cruz Community Health
Medical school: University of Washington, Seattle
Residency: Family Health Centers of San Diego Family Medicine Residency Program
Fellowship: UCSF Geriatric Medicine Fellowship
Board certification: Family Medicine
Clinical/academic interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, Geriatrics, LGBTQ Health, HIV-care, Addiction Medicine, Community Health Initiatives, Diversity and Health Equity
Role: Core Faculty, Associate Director of Osteopathic Education, Medical Student Clerkships Director
Program/affiliation: UCSF/Dignity, Santa Cruz Community Health
Medical school: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Natividad Medical Center
Board certification: Family Medicine
Clinical/academic interests: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Inpatient/Outpatient Medicine, Diabetes, Thyroid Disorders, Osteoporosis, Cardiovascular Disease, Geriatrics, and Women's Health
Role: Director of Community Medicine, Chair Community Advisory Council
Program/affiliation: Santa Cruz County
Education: MPH in Public Health, BA in Integrative Biology, both at UC Berkeley
Clinical/academic interests: Community medicine, health education, community development, syringe exchange services, street medicine, care for marginalized groups
Role: Director of Community Impact
Medical school: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM)
Residency: Harbor-UCLA Family Medicine Residency
Board certification: Family Medicine
Clinical/academic interests: Healthcare advocacy, community medicine, underserved communities, ambulatory clinical care, practice management, population health, leadership in health care, chronic disease management, pain management, addiction treatment, mental health
Role: Director of Surgery, Leadership, and Health Systems Management
Program/affiliation: Dominican Hospital
Medical school: Drexel University College of Medicine
Residency: Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital General Surgery
Clinical/academic interests: Leadership curriculum, health systems management
Role: Director of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Program/affiliation: Golden State Orthopedics, Santa Cruz Surgery Center
Board certification: Orthopedic Surgery
Clinical/academic interests: Orthopedics, Foot & Ankle Surgery, Sports Medicine/Sideline Medicine
Role: Director of Geriatrics, Family Medicine Physician
Program/affiliation: Hospice of Santa Cruz
Board certification: Family Medicine
Clinical/academic interests: Geriatrics, medical director
Role: Director of Palliative Care and Hospice, Family Medicine Physician
Program/affiliation: Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Residency: St. Mary’s Hospital, Grand Junction, Colorado
Board certification: Family Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Clinical/academic interests: Palliative care, hospice, primary care, urgent care, Medical Spanish, AI in Medicine
Role: Director of Medical Aesthetics Training, Family Medicine Physician
Program/affiliation: University of California San Francisco
Board certification: Family Medicine
Clinical/academic interests: Medical aesthetics training, dermatologic and aesthetic skin conditions, tattoo removal, skin care outreach
Role: Graduate Medical Education Manager
Education: Master of Public Health from the University of Washington
Clinical/academic interests: Accreditation/compliance, equitable systems, strategic planning
Role: Graduate Medical Education Program Administrator
Education: Master of Science, Biology from San Diego State University
Clinical/academic interests: Resident wellness and readiness, community partnerships, evidence-based education
Role: Undergraduate Medical Education Program Administrator
Education: Biology from the University of California, Berkeley
Clinical/academic interests: Undergraduate Medical Education, strategic planning, collaborative learning environment
Medical school: Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Bay Area, CA
Professional interests: Substance use, addiction, OMM, advocacy, research, medical education, healthcare access and equity, underserved
Personal interests: Reading, crafting, Pilates, spending time with loved ones
Medical school: University of Novi Sad Faculty of Medicine
Hometown: Novi Sad, Serbia
Professional interests: Maternity care, emergent medicine, office procedures, community medicine, integrative medicine
Personal interests: Horses, yoga, hiking, travel, writing
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences- COMP Northwest
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Professional interests: Addiction Medicine, Mental Health, OMM, advocacy, underserved communities
Personal interests: Surfing, fishing, working on classic cars
Medical school: St. George’s University
Hometown: Hawaii
Professional interests: Functional & Integrative Medicine, biopsychosocial model of healthcare, global medicine
Personal interests: Neuroplasticity, manifestation, self-development, spirituality, headstands, cooking spicy food
Medical school: University of the Incarnate Word
Hometown: Northern California
Professional interests: Medical and cosmetic dermatology, preventive and lifestyle medicine, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), patient-centered care, health equity
Personal interests: Laughing with family and friends, exercise, sushi, beach volleyball
Medical school: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Facultad de Medicina Guadalajara
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Professional interests: Pediatrics, adolescent medicine, hospitalist/inpatient medicine, community outreach, healthcare for the underserved
Personal interests: Building gundam model kits, San Diego Padres baseball, spending time with family
Medical school: Universidad de Autónoma de Guadalajara, School of Medicine
Hometown: Roseville, CA
Professional interests: Underserved communities, culturally competent and empathetic care, mentoring underrepresented students
Personal interests: Cooking Mexican cuisine, outdoor activities, photography, exploring Latin American cultures
Medical school: Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences
Hometown: Himalayan foothills, India
Professional interests: Holistic medicine, women’s health, elderly, underserved, marginalized population, prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, research
Personal interests: Spending time with son and dog, biking, swimming, camping, watching movies
PGY-2
Medical school: Tulane University School of Medicine
Professional interests: Family medicine, prenatal & women's care, global health, underserved, rural communities
Personal interests: SCUBA diving, trekking, surfing
Medical school: California University of Science and Medicine - School of Medicine
Hometown: Rochester, New York
Professional interests: Underserved communities, building connections, community services
Personal interests: Surfing, Santa Cruz scenery
Medical school: University of California, Davis, School of Medicine
Hometown: Healdsburg, CA
Professional interests: Wilderness and rural medicine, preventive care, OB/GYN, POCUS, Latine health, healthcare advocacy, health disparities, social justice
Personal interests: Spending time outdoors with husband and sons, hiking, camping, walking by ocean, chasing sunsets, mountain biking, surfing
Medical school: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California
Hometown: Mountain View, CA
Professional interests: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Mental Health, LGBTQ+ Health, Community Health, health equity, serving local communities
Personal interests: Long walks to the beach with wife, hiking, reading, outrigger canoe, baking, surfing
Medical school: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Professional interests: Medical device innovation, neuroprosthetics, neuroscience & the sensory system, health equity, care for underserved communities
Personal interests: Visual/performance arts, baking, combat sports
Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Fremont, California
Professional interests: Accessible healthcare, older immigrant population
Personal interests: Horseback riding, hiking, cooking, fishing, traveling, houseplant and fishkeeping, playing video games
Medical school: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Hometown: Selma, CA
Professional interests: Osteopathic medicine, community medicine, mentorship, advocating for the underserved, vulnerable and marginalized populations
Personal interests: Exploring local coffee shops, playing soccer, hiking/camping, watching stand-up, attending local NHL and MLS matches
Medical school: University of Kansas School of Medicine
Hometown: Columbia, Missouri
Professional interests: Integrative medicine, women's health, underserved communities, acute trauma, procedural care, primary care
Personal interests: Cooking with husband, hiking, playing with two cats, riding and jumping horses, surfing, learning Latin dance
Medical school: New York University-Grossman School of Medicine
Hometown: Boston, MA
Professional interests: Behavioral health, adolescent medicine, migrant populations, street medicine, substance use disorders
Personal interests: Cycling, swimming, cooking, video games, traveling
Medical school: Touro University, Nevada
Hometown: Hollister, CA
Professional interests: Women's health, obstetrics, geriatrics, underserved communities
Personal interests: spending time with my loved ones, meditation at the beach, star gazing, reading, trying new cuisines
Medical school: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Shool of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Hometown: King City, CA
Professional interests: Addiction medicine, sports medicine, preventative care, working with underserved Spanish-speaking communities.
Personal interests: Long runs next to the beach, working out, reading fantasy books, playing video games, eating out at new restaurants
Medical school: Pacific Northwest University of Health Siences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Professional interests: Underserved and immigrant health, care for socioeconomically and disadvantaged populations and improving access to culturally responsive primary care.
Personal interests: Spending time with my dog, vibing to R&B throwbacks, karaoke, weightlifting, playing pickleball, and exploring new restaurants and boba spots!
Medical school: University of the Incarnate Word-School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Richmond, CA
Professional interests: Preventative care, OMM, sports medicine, community/street medicine, mentoring under-represented students/professionals
Personal interests: Photography, cooking, reading by the ocean, seeking out sunrises and sunsets, sports (both participating and watching/following)
Medical school: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medical School
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Professional interests: Women's Health, Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy, and Global Medicine.
Personal interests: Being outdoors, camping, hiking, doing yoga, and traveling with her husband and hanging out with their orange cat.
Medical school: Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Professional interests: Underserved community health
Personal interests: Nutrition, high-intensity training, running, and strength exercise, solo backpacking for reflection, reading history and classical philosophy, politics, and social justice, love watching my 5-year-old grow in swimming, jiujitsu, and T-ball.
Medical school: University of California, Davis School of Medicine
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Professional interests: Sports Medicine, Preventative care, Underserved, Rehab/Recovery, Procedures
Personal interests: Basketball, running, lifting weights, and anything outdoors
Morehouse School of Medicine Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz Family Medicine Residency
1555 Soquel Drive
Santa Cruz, California 95065
Phone: 831-462-7296
Email: cindy.au900@commonspirit.org
Secondary Contact (Program Director)
Gary Zane, DO
gary.zane@commonspirit.org
Secondary Contact (Medical Student Rotations)
Layla Franks
UME Program Administrator
layla.franks@commonspirit.org
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