The Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program is an integrated training experience designed to prepare residents for full-spectrum family medicine in underserved rural communities.
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.
Residents complete their intern year at Methodist Hospital of Sacramento and Mercy Family Medical Clinic in Sacramento, California, building a strong inpatient and outpatient foundation. During PGY-2 and PGY-3, residents continue their training in Grass Valley, California, with experiences at Chapa-De Indian Health, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital and local subspecialty outpatient offices.
Through an unopposed rural learning environment and strong clinical partnerships, residents gain experience in outpatient procedures, medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, global health and reservation health experiences, and preparation for practice in rural Northern California and beyond.
"Our program is intentionally designed around our mission to train well rounded family physicians in underserved rural communities. Our rural training program benefits from a large faculty roster for such a small program given the integrated urban-rural training model. These dedicated faculty have additional expertise in women’s health and obstetrical care, addiction medicine, lifestyle medicine and more. Our rural continuity clinic partner, Chapa-De Indian Health Clinic, a Tribal FQHC, is an incredible place to train and learn how medical care should be delivered for all. We are dedicated to work-life balance, and the surrounding environment makes that easy. Scenic Nevada County has hundreds of miles of beautiful trails with Lake Tahoe and numerous skiing, snowboarding, hiking, running, fishing, boating, rafting and kayaking opportunities less than an hour away. I am very proud of our current and graduated residents and I assure you that we will provide the skills, knowledge and confidence for you to be a full spectrum Family Physician leader!"
Glenn Gookin, MD, PhD, FAAFP
Rural Training Program Director
The Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program offers a community-based curriculum designed to prepare residents for family medicine in rural and underserved communities.
Residents begin with inpatient and outpatient training in Sacramento, then transition to Grass Valley for rural training at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Chapa-De Indian Health and local subspecialty outpatient offices. The curriculum is grounded in the belief that “the clinic is the curriculum,” with training alongside a multidisciplinary team and community-based subspecialists.
Residents build a strong clinical foundation at Methodist Hospital of Sacramento and Mercy Family Medical Clinic. Continuity care begins during intern year, with residents returning to clinic at least once a week.
Residents move from Sacramento to Grass Valley and take on greater responsibility for patient care, junior resident education and medical student teaching. Time in continuity clinic at Chapa-De Indian Health increases significantly.
Residents grow from trainees into independent clinicians, with added focus on office-based procedures, practice management, team-based care and autonomy at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital.
Residents participate in lectures, interactive sessions, procedure workshops, ultrasound training, journal clubs and morbidity and mortality conferences, with protected didactic time every Wednesday afternoon.
The program uses a night float system and does not include 24-hour call. This structure supports ACGME work hour compliance while helping residents maintain balance throughout training.
Residents can tailor their training through electives such as cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, community medicine, urgent care, global health, sports medicine, osteopathic manipulative treatment, hospice and palliative care, and hospital medicine. Residents also complete scholarly activity, continuity delivery and nursing home experiences.
Residents train across urban and rural care settings in Sacramento, Grass Valley, Carmichael and surrounding communities. Training locations include hospitals, outpatient clinics, a Tribal Federally Qualified Health Center and local subspecialty offices that support full-spectrum family medicine education.
Dignity Health – Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital
Grass Valley, California
Dignity Health – Methodist Hospital of Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Chapa-De Indian Health
Grass Valley, California
Dignity Health – Mercy San Juan Medical Center
Carmichael, California
Dignity Health Medical Group — Sierra Nevada
Grass Valley, California
Western Sierra Medical Center
Grass Valley, California
For the 2026-2027 academic year, annual resident salaries are:
PGY-1: $82,015.50
PGY-2: $86,498.80
PGY-3: $90,522.00
Chief residents: $94,039.09
Medical, dental and vision coverage
Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Professional liability insurance
Vacation and holiday leave
Approved medical, parental and caregiver leave
Online medical resources
Annual educational funds
Paid AAFP dues
Licensure, certification and board application support
Required certifications (BLS, ACLS, PALS, ALSO and NRP, as applicable)
Ultrasound training resources
Butterfly iQ pocket ultrasound device
Free parking
Daily meal allowance
White coats, FIGS scrubs and a Dignity Health jacket
Resident lounge
Wellness resources
Gym membership support
Grass Valley offers a welcoming place to live and train, with small-town connection, natural beauty, year-round outdoor recreation and easy access to both Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.
Application Process
All PGY-1 family medicine residency applicants must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We welcome qualified graduates from both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools.
The program typically begins reviewing applications in September. A complete application includes:
Applicants interested in both the rural and urban training programs must apply separately through ERAS.
NRMP Codes
Interview Season Information
For the 2025-2026 interview season, interviews are expected to take place from October through December. Sacramento Urban Training Program interviews will be conducted virtually, and Grass Valley Rural Training Program interviews will be conducted in person.
Interview Schedule
International Medical Graduates
International medical graduates are welcome to apply. Applicants are responsible for maintaining authorization to work in the United States. Please contact the program coordinator for current visa and work authorization requirements.
Medical Student Clerkships
Fourth-year medical students may apply to spend two to four weeks with the Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program. Clerkship experiences may include time at Chapa-De Indian Health and participation in community outreach activities. A clerkship is not required for acceptance into the residency program. Eligible students must be enrolled in an ACGME-accredited medical school listed by the AAMC or AACOM, and an affiliation agreement must be in place with the student’s medical school.
Role: Designated Institutional Officer
Program/affiliation: Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program; Methodist Hospital of Sacramento Family Medicine Residency Program
Medical school: George Washington University
Residency: Dignity Health Methodist Hospital
Fellowship/training: Faculty Development; Program Director Development
Clinical/academic interests: Family medicine education, community health, human trafficking response, underserved care
Role: Program Director
Program/affiliation: Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program; volunteer clinical faculty at UC Davis and Touro University
Medical school: University of Central Florida
Residency: Dignity Health Methodist Hospital of Sacramento Family Medicine Residency Program
Fellowship/training: National Institute for Program Director Development Fellowship
Clinical/academic interests: Rural family medicine, hospital medicine, primary care, underserved care, graduate medical education
Role: Core Faculty; Associate Program Director
Program/affiliation: Chapa-De Indian Health
Medical school: State University of New York at Buffalo
Residency: Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis
Board certification: Family Medicine; Addiction Medicine
Clinical/academic interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, medication-assisted treatment, obstetrics, underserved care
Role: Associate Faculty; Medical Director
Program/affiliation: Chapa-De Indian Health
Medical school: SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Residency: Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis
Board certification/training: Addiction Medicine; psychiatry fellowship in primary care
Clinical/academic interests: Prenatal care, pediatrics, substance use services, whole-person care
Role: Associate Faculty
Program/affiliation: Chapa-De Indian Health
Medical school: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Family and Community Medicine, Methodist Hospital of Sacramento
Clinical/academic interests: Osteopathic manipulative medicine, health behavior change, primary care, hospital medicine, substance use disorders
Role: Associate Faculty
Program/affiliation: Chapa-De Indian Health
Medical school: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Residency: Dignity Health Methodist Hospital of Sacramento Family Medicine Residency Program
Clinical/academic interests: Inclusive care, underserved communities, whole-person care, care for patients of all ages and identities
Role: Associate Faculty
Program/affiliation: Chapa-De Indian Health
Medical school: University of California, Irvine
Residency: Dignity Health Methodist Hospital of Sacramento Family Medicine Residency Program
Clinical/academic interests: Women’s health, adolescent health, underserved care, whole-person care
Role: Residency Administrator
Program/affiliation: Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program
Professional focus: Residency administration, scheduling, resident and faculty communication, accreditation support, program operations
Medical school: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Hometown: Folsom, California
Professional interests: Harm reduction, community outreach, relationship-driven care
Personal interests: Reading with a cappuccino and mountain biking
Medical school: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University
Hometown: Morgan Hill, California
Professional interests: Rural family medicine, underserved care, healthy community activities
Personal interests: Gardening, cooking, baking, crochet, hiking and travel
Medical school: Florida State University College of Medicine – Orlando Campus
Hometown: Roseville, California
Professional interests: Harm reduction, community outreach
Personal interests: Spending time outdoors and indoors with her puppy and loved ones
Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Professional interests: Palliative care, harm reduction
Personal interests: Martial arts, philosophy, nature and live music
Medical school: University of Washington School of Medicine
Hometown: Centralia, Washington
Professional interests: Rural family medicine, comprehensive care and patient-centered care
Personal interests: Skiing, hiking, cycling, walking her dogs and spending time with her partner
Medical school: University Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Hometown: Pembroke Pines, Florida
Professional interests: Harm reduction, palliative care, geriatrics and improving access to care in rural communities
Personal interests: Watching sports, reading, spending time outdoors, baking and spending time with her twin boys
Erin Kolb
Residency Coordinator
Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program
Phone: (530) 274-6008
Email: Erin.Kolb@commonspirit.org
General inquiries: SierraNevadaFamilyMedicine@commonspirit.org
Address:
Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program
155 Glasson Way
Grass Valley, CA 95945
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