Cabarrus Family Medicine Residency Program Holds Graduation Ceremonies

CONCORD, N.C., June 24, 2005 – The Cabarrus Family Residency Program and NorthEast Medical Center graduated eight family medicine residents in commencement exercises held June 23, 2005 in the Hamrick Theatre at NorthEast Medical Center. The keynote speaker was L. Allen Dobson, Jr., MD, who led the development of the Cabarrus Family Medicine Residency Program and has been recently appointed Assistant Secretary of Health Policy and Medical Assistance for North Carolina. Several awards were presented to the teaching faculty. Dr. Stacey Martin was recognized as the Most Valuable Attending by the graduating class. The residents honored Dr. Karol Cheek as Medical Staff Teacher of the Year and Dr. Jerry Nymberg as Family Physician Teacher of the Year. Dr. James Holt received the Ambulatory Teaching Award.

Several graduating residents were honored with awards at the ceremony. Dr. Stephanie Elkins was recognized with the Outstanding Resident Award, and Dr. Benjamin Pusser received the Servant Leadership Award and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Resident Teaching Award. Dr. Stefanie Etienne and Dr. David Luoma were honored with Distinguished Service Awards.

Graduation from residency marks the end of a long and arduous educational journey. At a minimum, this education included twelve years of primary education, four years of college, four years of medical school, and three years of family medicine residency training. Upon completion of the Cabarrus Family Medicine Residency Program, these physicians are now eligible for board certification in family practice.

Seven of the graduates will practice medicine in North Carolina. Dr. Stephanie Elkins will join Lakeside Family Physicians in Mooresville, and Dr. Sarah Goodman will join Lakeside Family Physicians in Charlotte. Dr. Stefanie Etienne will join Wake Health Services in Raleigh. Dr. Chris Isenhour will join Chicora Medical Group in Shallotte, NC. Dr. Greg Oleksy will join Gaston Family Docs in Gastonia. Dr. Benjamin Pusser will join Family Care Health and Wellness in Winston Salem. Dr. David Luoma will do independent contracting in the Concord area. Dr. Josh Whitledge will relocate to Fulton, KY where he will join Hillview Clinic.

This graduation marks the seventh graduation for the Cabarrus Family Medicine Residency Program, led by program director Mark Robinson, MD and director of graduate medical education L. Allen Dobson, Jr., MD. Fifty-three physicians have completed the program since its inception in 1996. Thirty–seven of the graduates practice medicine in North Carolina, and twenty-four graduates have remained in Cabarrus or adjacent counties.