Sutter Memorial Medical Center
Internal Medicine Residency
Train for board certification in a three-year residency program upholding the highest standards of clinical practice, patient-centered care and community well-being.
Practicing Compassionate Care
Work seamlessly with Sutter Health to care for patients with simple to complex conditions, right here in Modesto. Our not-for-profit facility is dedicated to graduating board-certified Internal Medicine physician leaders who are empathetic, collaborative and skilled at providing the highest quality of care.
Here, you’ll find a positive, supportive and inclusive learning environment where top professionals can be passionate about excellence and compassionate with patients, staff and each other. Our innovative curriculum focuses on evidence-based care, empathy and treating the whole person in diverse patient populations including large LGBTQ+ and first-generation families.
James Kruer, MD. – Program DirectorWe strive to offer rigorous clinical training that prepares you for a fulfilling career in internal medicine, whether in primary care, as a hospitalist, or in specialized fellowship training. We don’t stop at the clinical; we aim to cultivate compassionate healers who balance medical expertise with patient-centered care and improve our communities.
Guidance and Mentoring
Our dedicated, multicultural faculty are board-certified, licensed physicians. Each closely mentors three residents throughout their time here and through successful mastery of the ABIM exam for clinical practice.
Protected Time for Didactics
Share knowledge during dedicated, frequent training including weekly academic half days, ambulatory didactics, board reviews, the business of medicine sessions, case-based conferences, grand rounds, journal club sessions and monthly conferences. Learn Evidence-based Practice of Medicine (EBPM) in year one, lead Journal Clubs in year two and give Grand Rounds presentations in year three.
Clinical Experience
Grow into the career you want, with three years of intensive clinical rotations in ambulatory, inpatient and critical care. In addition, you’ll be trained in transitional care management, community medicine, evidence-based care, the business of medicine, Lean Six Sigma principles and compassionate communication.
Simulation Lab
Learn procedural, communications, teamwork, and patient care skills, throughout your entire residency, in our simulation lab and partner facilities including the Sutter Innovations Center, the Cal State Stanislaus simulation lab and the Sutter Sacramento simulation lab.
Training Facilities
As a resident here, you’ll have the opportunity to train in facilities throughout the Sutter Health including the Sutter Health Memorial Medical Center for inpatient care, Sutter Gould Medical Foundation Offices for ambulatory experiences and the continuity clinic office.
Sutter Memorial Medical Center is ranked among the top 1 percent of U.S. hospitals for overall clinical quality. Our specialties are among the top 5 percent in vascular surgery, coronary intervention and critical care and the top 10 percent in pulmonary care and cardiology services. We are proud to be on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity list and an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader of the Healthcare Equality Index.
Research Opportunities
Access an expansive range of resources and mentors to guide your research and quality improvement projects with cross-discipline collaboration, making your findings more publishable. We ensure you have protected time for research and ongoing coaching sessions with opportunities to present at regional and national conferences including Sutter’s own research day and the Northern California chapter of the ACP (CANO) meeting each fall.
Living in Modesto
The friendly city of Modesto is known for its strong agricultural roots, art, nature and community. Located in the Center of California, Modesto is an easy drive away from San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe.
Contact Us
Program Coordinator
Jamie Davila, Internal Medicine Residency Program Coordinator
SMMC.IM.Residency@sutterhealth.org
Program Director
James Kruer, MD