FRESNO – UCSF Fresno Family and Community Medicine Residency Program received $206,000 over three years from the Office of Statewide Health and Planning to train physicians to practice in underserved areas. The granting program is part of the Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act (Song-Brown Program). UCSF Fresno ranked first out of 37 family medicine residency programs in California that applied for support as part of the Song Brown program.
“Receiving this ranking and award is a testament to UCSF Fresno’s commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of the San Joaquin Valley and reaffirms the mission of UCSF Fresno Family and Community Medicine to train physicians to provide health care in medically underserved and rural areas,” said Ivan Gomez, MD, program director for the UCSF Fresno Family and Community Medicine Residency Program. “We are pleased to receive this funding and are grateful for the support of UCSF Fresno leadership, Central California Faculty Medical Group and all of our institutional partners that make comprehensive family medicine training possible.”
UCSF Fresno’s Family and Community Medicine Residency Program has trained hundreds of physicians over the past forty years. The Song-Brown funds will be used to support new and existing initiatives, such as expanded training in women’s health and preventive care services as well as working to meet the healthcare access needs of women and children who are survivors of domestic abuse. These programs along with training in patient care advocacy address areas of critical need in Fresno County.
The Song-Brown Program, established in 1973, provides financial support to encourage universities and primary healthcare professionals to provide care in medically underserved areas. Song Brown funding is awarded based on a program’s ability to recruit residents from and place physicians into areas of recognized unmet need. Team training and preparing residents to work in team-focused healthcare models are emphasized. The Song-Brown Program does not provide funding directly to students.
