Where Are Our 2023 Family Medicine Graduates Now?
The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health is proud of our 48 family medicine resident graduates, our 10 fellowship graduates, and our medical family therapy intern graduate. These talented individuals have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to embark on their professional journeys in family medicine. So what are they doing today? Let’s dive into their chosen paths, locations, and aspirations.
Staying in Minnesota: A Preferred Destination
Minnesota continues to be a favored destination for our University of Minnesota family medicine residency graduates, with approximately 72 percent of the 2023 cohort deciding to practice or pursue further training within the state. This statistic reaffirms the reputation of Minnesota as an ideal location: Its distinct seasons, vibrant cultural scene, and diverse recreational activities make it an attractive place to live and work.
Cassandra Palmer, MD, who graduated from the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, plans to become a critical care surgeon with Health Partners in Saint Paul.
In the rural care realm, CentraCare St. Cloud Family Medicine residency graduate Dr. Sadia Mohamed plans to practice at CentraCare Southway Clinic.
Among those who have chosen to remain in Minnesota, about half have decided to practice in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, while the other half have opted to serve patients in Greater Minnesota. This distribution ensures that primary healthcare services are accessible and readily available to both urban and rural communities across the state.
Expanding Horizons: Graduates Going Beyond Minnesota
While the majority of the 2023 family medicine residency graduates have chosen to stay in Minnesota, several newly minted family medicine physicians have ventured beyond the state's borders to launch their professional careers. Five graduates have opted to practice in neighboring Wisconsin.
Out of the 2023 graduating class, a few graduates have relocated to the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
Pursuing Fellowships: Specializing in Sports Medicine and Addiction Medicine
Four of the 2023 graduates have decided to pursue fellowship programs to further specialize within the field of family medicine. Two graduates have chosen to focus on sports medicine, an area that combines their passion for athletics with their commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare. Kaley Capitano, DO, is one of our sports medicine fellowship graduates.
“I am currently a non-operative sports medicine specialist at Olympia Orthopaedic Associates in Olympia, Washington,” says Dr. Capitano. “I'm looking forward to building my practice in my local community, working both as a team physician for a local high school and Division II college, and to continuing to develop my ultrasound-guided procedural skills.”
Two graduates have embarked on fellowships in addiction medicine, recognizing the urgent need for qualified professionals in this critical field.
Diverse Practice Settings: Meeting the Needs of Patients
In addition, two of our graduates have joined urgent care clinics, where they will provide immediate medical attention to patients with non-life-threatening conditions.
Four graduates have found positions in hospital settings, where they will have the opportunity to work as part of multidisciplinary teams, managing both acute and chronic conditions. These individuals will contribute to the delivery of comprehensive care and collaborate closely with other healthcare professionals to optimize patient outcomes.
The remaining graduates have opted to work in clinic settings, where they will establish ongoing relationships with patients, providing preventive care, managing chronic conditions, and addressing a wide range of primary care needs.
The Undecided Path: Exploring Opportunities
While the majority of the 2023 family medicine residency graduates have made definitive decisions about their career paths, a small number remain undecided.
A time of post-graduate exploration allows these physicians to gain further insight into the diverse facets of family medicine and make informed decisions about their chosen specialties.
University of Minnesota Medical Center Family Medicine residency graduate Sarah Copelas, DO, plans to work at local urgent care clinics while finding the optimal clinic to bring her passion for reproductive health and community medicine.
Celebrating an Inspiring Graduating Class
The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health celebrates the accomplishments of its 2023 family medicine graduates and wishes them success in their professional journeys. Whether they choose to stay in Minnesota, pursue fellowships, or explore different practice settings both rural and urban, these individuals bring with them a passion for providing high-quality primary care and a commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of their patients.
