TRAINING GROUND, ROUND 2
A residency program trains new practitioners and creates more room for people in need of medical care
In its first year, La Clinica’s innovative Advanced Practitioner Residency Program brought more than 1,400 new patients into care at La Clinica and prepared three family nurse practitioners and a physician assistant to provide exceptional care.
The program, one of only a few in the state, aims even higher in its second year. It welcomed six new healthcare providers in October, with one more set to join in March. Leaders expect it to provide primary care for more than 3,000 patients in the coming year.
The growing program has two key benefits for La Clinica and its patients, Chief Medical Officer Chris Alftine explained. “We really get to know these residents and train them in what we need. They will become fully competent providers, and we're able to make reliable growth plans.”
Three newly trained graduates—physician assistant Garrett Sonntag and family nurse practitioners Liz Fairweather and Deborah Silbowitz—are putting the clinical experience and technical and leadership skills they gained in the program to work at La Clinica. One other, family nurse practitioner Julie Graham, has joined another local practice.
The new round of residents will build on this initial success. They will see patients who established care with the program in the past year and welcome more new patients soon. The program also is bringing in more teachers and mentors from La Clinica’s existing employees, new hires, and community partners.
“There’s a certain energy around education and knowing they can contribute to the future of medicine,” Chris said, of all those working to support the residency program.
The program is working to show it meets national standards and earn accreditation in 2025 through the Consortium for Advanced Practice Providers. La Clinica organized its program around those standards from the start.
“We have so much gratitude for how engaged our healthcare community and La Clinica staff have been,” Residency Manager Sarah Bieniek said. “They are giving their time and expertise to ensure new providers are prepared and supported.”
Last year's residents, Liz Fairweather, left, Deborah Silbowitz, Garrett Sonntag, and Julie Graham, graduated during a ceremony in October and stayed in the community to provide care.
Last year's residents, Liz Fairweather, left, Deborah Silbowitz, Garrett Sonntag, and Julie Graham, graduated during a ceremony in October and stayed in the community to provide care.
MEET THE NEW RESIDENTS
PRANEETA AVILES, FNP
Family nurse practitioner Praneeta has worked in the medical field in Southern Oregon for 18 years, with experience as a sexual assault nurse examiner, charge nurse, and emergency department supervisor.
KASSANDRA BALLI, PA
A physician assistant who trained at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Kassy previously worked as a medical assistant and has a photojournalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
KRISTIANA BREIJO, FNP
Family nurse practitioner Kristiana earned her master’s degree in nursing with concentration in primary care family practice at Nova Southeastern University, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
TAMARA CHAMBERS, FNP
Family nurse practitioner Tami has been at La Clinica for 14 years, as a clinical and case management nurse at the Central Point Health Center and at La Clinica health centers in schools.
MOLLY FOREMAN, FNP
Family nurse practitioner Molly has mostly worked in women’s health settings in Colorado and Oklahoma and is looking forward to shifting into family medicine.
ALLISON GILES, FNP
Family nurse practitioner Allison has worked in emergency departments and community health centers like La Clinica and is now pursuing a doctor of nursing practice degree with a focus on quality improvement.
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