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A Message From Our Program Director

Kriti Sharma, MD

Dear Residency Candidate,

Greetings from Modesto, California! We are delighted that you are considering the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Memorial Medical Center, part of the Sutter Health network. It is my pleasure, as Program Director, to welcome you to a thriving, community-focused program in the heart of California’s Central Valley — a location that offers both rich clinical experiences and easy access to beaches, mountains, cities, and outdoor adventures. 

Our Educational Philosophy We are committed to providing a rigorous, well-rounded clinical education that prepares you for success in internal medicine — whether your path leads to primary care or subspecialty training. Our program emphasizes compassionate, patient-centered care and the development of physicians who combine clinical excellence with deep empathy for the communities they serve. We place particular value on effective and empathic communication, recognizing its impact on patient trust, adherence, and outcomes.

At Memorial Medical Center, you will find a supportive learning environment, dedicated faculty mentors, and diverse patient care opportunities that will challenge and inspire you. Our graduates will leave with the skills, confidence, and professional identity needed to make a meaningful impact in medicine.

We look forward to learning more about you and hope you will consider joining us as we continue to build a strong legacy of excellence in internal medicine training here in Modesto.

Why Choose Our Program?

Clinical Experience Memorial Medical Center offers state-of-the-art medical technologies and diverse inpatient and outpatient settings. You will gain exposure to a diverse patient population with various medical conditions, from common ailments to rare and complex cases. Sutter Health’s integrated system allows for seamless patient care and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Opportunities in Research As a new program, we have the flexibility to shape our local research environment, which is already supported and integrated with the larger Sutter research committee. You will have access to a range of resources and mentors, encouraging collaboration within our institution and across disciplines. You will also participate in quality improvement projects and are encouraged to publish scholarly work at various levels.

Community Engagement We strive to be a complete partner in the community, improving access and well-being through health camps, education seminars, and other initiatives.

Focus on Wellness We prioritize your well-being with structured support, mental health resources, and mentorship programs along with a Sutter GME Well-being committee.
Innovation and Technology We quickly adopt the latest advances in medical technology, such as the most current upgrades in EPIC (EMR) and Abridge (ambient listening AI). You will learn from and participate in our Sutter Health Innovation Center, providing unique opportunities to interface with innovative ideas on improving health.

Living in Modesto - Modesto is a vibrant city with agricultural roots, a diverse community, and proximity to major cities and natural attractions. It boasts a friendly atmosphere and strong sense of community.

Preliminary Medicine Curriculum Our one-year curriculum will give you a strong foundation of training, featuring:

  • Two months of ICU: Gain critical care experience.
  • Weekly ambulatory clinic: Develop outpatient care skills.
  • Core rotations: Specialize in endocrinology, pulmonology, nephrology, and cardiology.

Graduates from our preliminary medicine program will find themselves well-versed in general medical care, ready to provide excellent care to their future patients.

We invite you to explore our website, meet our exceptional faculty, and discover what makes our program uniquely positioned to provide excellent training in internal medicine.

Thank you for choosing the Sutter Health/Memorial Medical Center Internal Medicine program. We look forward to having you join our medical family.

Sincerely,
Kriti Sharma, MD
Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency, Memorial Medical Center

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

Associate Program Director
Amir Akmal, MD 
Rajasekhar Sanapala, MD
 

Program Coordinator
Jamie Davila, Internal Medicine Residency 
SMMC.IM.Residency@sutterhealth.org

 

Program Director
Kriti Sharma, MD

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