Family Medicine Residency program proudly celebrated its first year

A year ago, Gundersen opened the new Family Medicine Residency Clinic in La Crosse. The Clinic delivers patient-centered care in a robust learning and teaching environment as part of Gundersen Medical Foundation's new Family Medicine Residency program. This is a three-year, post-graduate program for doctors interested in practicing family medicine.

"Our first class of four residents has been strong and we've already started our second class," reports Paul Klas, MD, director of the Family Medicine Residency program, who was instrumental in creating the program. "All of our residents were exceptional medical students, have ties to the Midwest and many have expressed interest in being doctors in rural community practices where there's been a shortage of doctors. They are improving the life and health of our community."

The Family Medicine Residency Program, which recently received full 10-year accreditation, is part of Gundersen's continuing efforts to address the need for more primary care physicians, especially in rural clinics and hospitals throughout the Tri-state Region.

"Our residents are providing high-level care and have performed well in the hospital and clinic," says Dr. Klas. "I've been impressed at how strong a team they have become so quickly. They have all distinguished themselves as excellent physicians throughout the hospital. This speaks to the strength of our Family Medicine residency program as well as the caliber of our residents."

At the Family Medicine Residency Clinic the team of resident doctors provides excellent comprehensive primary care, while gaining practical, hands-on experience. The Clinic provides primary care service for patients of any age, including:

• Annual checkups and preventive care
• Gynecology and contraceptive services
• Obstetric care from pregnancy through delivery
• Care for children including well baby, pediatric visits, immunizations and physicals
• Care for illnesses, injuries and chronic health conditions
• Pharmacy and behavioral health services available right in the clinic

"We will continue to expand the residency program with the hope of eventually expanding to six residents per class," says Dr. Klas. "But for now we are grateful for the faith and trust we've received from other department in sharing patients. We also appreciate the tremendous support of our nurses, support staff, integrated psychologist, administration and Gundersen Medical Foundation."