UC Davis Health and Doctors Medical Center Create Residency Partnership for Cardiothoracic Surgery and OB/GYN Programs

UC Davis Health and Doctors Medical Center (DMC) in Modesto, California, have entered into a multifaceted agreement expected to positively impact Central Valley communities – both immediately and in the future.

The highlight of the partnership includes medical education residency programs in cardiothoracic surgery (surgery on the chest organs, such as the heart, lungs and esophagus) and obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN), which includes gynecological surgeries. Both programs offer elective and required rotations to allow for a broad scope of high-quality training for physicians.

“We are delighted to expand and strengthen our affiliations with Doctors Medical Center to better meet the health care needs of communities in the Central Valley,” said Susan Murin, Interim Dean of UC Davis School of Medicine. “Adding cardiothoracic surgery and obstetrics-gynecology residency rotations to our existing partnership with DMC will give our trainees invaluable experience providing much-needed care in a region where access to these services is limited.”

“The next generation of top physicians are learning state-of-the-art procedures by actually participating in the surgeries,” said John deGraft-Johnson, MD, a thoracic surgeon at Doctors Medical Center. “By expanding our relationship with UC Davis, we are growing the breadth and quality of advanced services that we provide the communities we serve.”

The partnership adds significant value for physician residents eager to gain clinical experience outside of Sacramento, especially in more rural and underserved settings. Doctors Medical Center and UC Davis benefit because those who train at DMC may eventually choose to establish their careers in the area.