The Family Health Center Residency Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The Family Health Center marked a significant milestone on June 28 at River’s Edge Experience in Oregon: The 20th anniversary of establishing the Family Medicine Residency Program in Dixon. About 90 guests attended, including previous and current residents, 12 of 30 graduates, faculty, attendings, FHC staff, and KSB administration, underscoring the enduring impact of the program.
This year’s graduation reception, celebrating Dr. Brian Didier and Dr. Maitri Mehta, was even more special because of the 20th anniversary. The program’s first two residents, Dr. Amrish Joseph and Dr. Mario Galdames attended, traveling from Maryland and Florida. Additional graduates traveled from Texas, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Dr. Farion Williams, former program director and Designated Institutional Official, flew in from the State of Washington.
“We started planning this event a year ago, and it was very emotional seeing the graduates again, some of them for the first time since they left Dixon,” shares Melanie Rick, Program Coordinator. “It was so nice to catch up with them and learn about where they are working now and what they’ve been doing since graduation!”
Three people who were instrumental in creating the program in 2004, Dr. Farian Williams (who started the residency program), Dr. Timothy Appenheimer (the former program director) and Darryl Vandervort (the former CEO), were thrilled to join the celebration.
Initially, Darryl was interested in bringing a graduate medical education to KSB. Finding a willing partner in the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, widespread support followed. The cooperative effort created the state’s first rural Training Track program in Dixon.
“Two decades ago, active cooperation among administrators, academics and clinicians converged in a perfect storm, allowing this unique program to be created,” recalls Dr. Appenheimer. “Over the years, the program has been nurtured and led to maturation by many committed leaders. Many successful physicians have received Family Medicine training in Dixon and served the Dixon community after graduation. It is highly unusual for a graduate medical education program to succeed in a small community like ours over time. This success is a testament to the early developers’ vision and the skill and commitment of those who continue to bring the program forward. Congratulations to the Dixon Rural Training Track for 20 successful years!”
An additional highlight was the presentation of the Faculty Preceptor of the Year Award to Dr. Joseph Welty and Dr. Matthew Hefty.
Reflecting on the journey, Dr. Reckamp shares, “I am very proud of what KSB Hospital started in 2004 and proud of all the graduates. By supporting the residency program, KSB Hospital has trained many excellent physicians who now care for the Dixon community and communities across the country.”
“The residency program is vital in the retention and recruitment of physicians and is of great interest to our future affiliation partners. I look forward to the program continuing to thrive and produce outstanding family medicine physicians in the years ahead”, says KSB Hospital President and CEO Dr. David Schreiner.
