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 through Thalamus. The 2026–2027 interview season will begin on October 14, 2026, and conclude on January 29, 2027. Interviews will be offered on Wednesdays and Fridays. Interview invitations will be extended by November 27, 2026, with additional interview opportunities offered afterward only as openings become available due to applicant rescheduling or cancellations. We anticipate interviewing approximately 170 applicants for our 13 PGY-1 positions.

Our standardized interview process is designed to promote fairness, consistency, and transparency throughout the interview season. Each interview day will begin with a 25-minute program overview presented by the Program Director (PD) or Associate Program Director (APD). Following the program introduction, each applicant will participate in three 15-minute individual interviews with members of our interview team, including the PD or APD, a faculty member, and a current resident.

Throughout the interview season, applicants will also have the opportunity to participate in optional virtual social events with our current residents. These informal events are not scored and are intended to provide applicants with an opportunity to learn more about our program, our residents, and the resident experience.
In early to mid-February, our program will host an optional in-person hospital tour and social event. Participation is entirely voluntary and will not influence an applicant's position on our rank order list. To ensure transparency and fairness, our rank order list will be finalized prior to this event.

Prior to the start of the interview season, faculty and resident interviewers will participate in an orientation to review the characteristics and qualities of applicants that align with the mission and aims of Sutter Health and our Family Medicine Residency Program. This process will guide the development of standardized interview questions and help ensure a fair, consistent, and equitable interview experience for all applicants.

International Applicants

At this time, Sutter Health does not sponsor J-1, H-1B, or other types of visas. Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will be considered. Applicants must have approved EAD upon start date of the program and maintain EAD active status throughout training duration. International Medical Graduates are welcome to apply to our residency and fellowship programs provided they meet the following requirements:

1. Authorization to Work in the United States Applicants must have appropriate work authorization at the time of application and for the duration of training.
2. Medical School Recognition
   Applicants must have received all medical education from, and graduated from:
   1. A U.S. or Canadian medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools, or the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA); or
   2. A foreign medical school evaluated by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) or an ECFMG-authorized foreign medical school accreditation agency, and determined to meet the minimum requirements substantially equivalent to LCME, CACMS, or COCA standards; and
      1. The school must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (maintained by the World Federation for Medical Education [WFME] and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research [FAIMER]), or approved by the Medical Board of California.
3. Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL) 
   As of January 1, 2020, the Medical Board of California no longer issues a PTAL to International Medical Graduates. A PTAL is not required to apply to Sutter Health programs.

Applicants should also review the specific eligibility criteria for the program(s) to which they are applying, as individual programs may have additional requirements.

Have Questions?

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