How to Apply to Our Program

Mission and Values

The mission of our residency mirrors the mission of Sutter Health, “We enhance the well-being of people in the communities we serve through a not-for-profit commitment to compassion and excellence in healthcare services.”

It is important to the residency that conduct by residents mirror the mission and values of Sutter Health when working as well as outside of work. We are looking for applicants that are outstanding clinically but represent the core values of the residency and the institution at all times as it serves its community.

Application Process

Applications for Sutter Memorial Medical Center Modesto Family Medicine Residency Program must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

M.D. and D.O. graduates from U.S. schools may register for ERAS through their Deans' offices. The ECFMG serves as the Dean's office for all international medical graduates. A Request for an ERAS Application Kit is available on the ECFMG homepage.

Qualified candidates meet the following criteria:

1. Completed ERAS application
2. 4 letters of recommendation with one being a Letter from the Department Chair
3. USMLE STEP 1 and STEP 2 = PASS or COMLEX1 and COMLEX 2= PASS
4. Dean’s letter
5. Medical school transcript
6. Personal Statement
7. Graduated Medical School within the last three years

Interviews

All residency interviews will be conducted virtually via Thalamus. The interview season will commence on October 10, 2025, and conclude on January 21, 2026. Interviews will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays. Interview invitations will be extended by October 31, 2025, except for possible openings due to applicant rescheduling or canceling. We will interview approximately 170 applicants to fill our 13 PGY-1 positions.

A standardized interview process has been developed to ensure fairness and consistency. The interview day will begin with a 25-minute program introduction presented by the PD or APD. Following the introduction, each applicant will participate in three 15-minute interviews with the PD or APD, a faculty member and a resident. There will be an optional (non-scored) virtual social with our current residents after each interview day is complete. 

In February, our program will host an optional in-person hospital tour and social event. Participation in this event is entirely voluntary and will not influence our rank order list, which will be finalized prior to the event to ensure transparency and fairness.

Faculty interviewers will meet prior to the start of interview season to review the desired characteristics of applicants that align with the mission and aims of Sutter Health. This meeting will help guide the development of standardized interview questions and ensure consistency throughout the process.

International Applicants

Effective January 1, 2020, the Medical Board of California will no longer issue Postgraduate Training Authorization Letters (PTAL) to International Medical School Graduates. Therefore, it is not a requirement to apply to our program. To qualify, the medical school needs to be recognized by the Medical Board of California.

At this time, we do not sponsor J1, H1B, or other types of visas.

Have Questions?

For further information regarding our program, please contact Tracie Hannink at SMMC.FM.Residency@sutterhealth.org