The Abrazo Health Family Medicine Residency at Abrazo Central Campus recognized its class of 2020 during graduation ceremonies on June 27.

The program for primary care physicians is a fully accredited, three-year, post-graduate program established in 1978, according to a press release.

“We believe that the family physician is the foundation of any healthcare system,” Merima Bucaj, program director of the Abrazo Family Medicine Residency, said in a prepared statement.

“Our program offers a full spectrum family medicine training, and provides increased access to high-quality health care for our surrounding communities.”

Abrazo Family Medicine graduates include:

• Philippe Bierny, MD --- Chief Resident Service Award and Humanism in Medicine Award;
• Alexander Dydyk, DO --- AFMRD Scholarly Activity Award and Chief Resident Service Award;
• Shane Speirs, MD --- Practice Management Award;
• Christina Wong, MD --- STFM Resident Teacher Award;
• Lauren Havard, MD;
• Pablo Veliz, MD; and
• Renato Vieira, MD.

“The foundation of our Graduate Medical Education programs are patient-centered care with innovative approaches to training and collaboration. Residents prepare to be medical leaders and patient advocates, working closely with specialists and clinicians,” Dr. Bucaj said.

“We value collaboration, integrity, accountability, respect, humility, and compassionate service. Our program provides quality patient-centered, evidence-based care and is structured to expose residents to all areas of medicine, including research, technology and practice management education.”

Residents serve as active members of the Abrazo Central Campus hospital medical staff during the program, and often become an integral part of the surrounding community.

“The Family Medicine Residency Program at Abrazo Central Campus has educated primary care physicians for more than 40 years, and many of the physicians who trained here continue to practice in the Valley,” Ed Staren, interim CEO at Abrazo Central, said in a prepared statement.