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
Partner with Sutter Health to provide exceptional, patient-centered care for individuals with a wide range of health needs — from routine to complex — right here in Modesto. Our not-for-profit medical center is committed to preparing board-certified internal medicine physicians who are clinically skilled, collaborative, and compassionate leaders in patient care.
We offer a positive, supportive, and professional learning environment where physicians in training can excel in evidence-based medicine, strengthen communication and teamwork skills, and learn to care for the whole person. Our curriculum emphasizes clinical excellence, empathy, and respect for every patient we serve, preparing graduates to deliver the highest quality of care.
Kriti Sharma, 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 faculty are board-certified, licensed physicians who are dedicated to teaching and supporting residents. Each faculty member provides close, personalized mentorship to a small group of residents throughout their training, helping them develop clinical expertise and prepare for successful completion of the ABIM certification exam.
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, you will have the opportunity to train across Sutter Health facilities, including Sutter Health Memorial Medical Center for inpatient care, Sutter Gould Medical Foundation offices for ambulatory experiences, and our continuity clinic.
Sutter Memorial Medical Center is recognized among the top 1 percent of U.S. hospitals for overall clinical quality. Our specialties rank among the top 5 percent nationally in vascular surgery, coronary intervention, and critical care, and in the top 10 percent for pulmonary care and cardiology services.
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
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