Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lewisburg, WV
Undergraduate: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
During my month-long rotation with the Latrobe Family Medicine Residency
as a fourth-year medical student, I knew that this was the place I wanted
to complete my residency. I was able to see first-hand the effort put
into the program to foster a caring and inviting environment for learning,
even for a visiting student.
The camaraderie between residents and faculty went above and beyond and
directly translated to excellent patient care. This welcoming learning
environment supported by attendings and residents striving for excellence
in patient care was exactly what I was looking for in a residency program.
Along with the friendly environment, the rural population that is served
greatly interested me within this unopposed program. And as a bonus, the
resident housing that is offered relieved the stress of having to search
for an apartment and provides an easy morning commute to the hospital.
Indiana Judy, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
I first heard about the Latrobe Family Medicine Residency when I was a
third-year medical student just getting my bearings on the real world.
I had worked two months back-to-back with two different attendings who
had both completed the residency in Latrobe and they both spoke so highly
of the program. When I finally met the faculty, residents, and staff on
my interview day I truly understood what they meant. Everyone is so compassionate
and wants you to succeed. When choosing where to finalize your training
there is a lot to consider, but one of the most important things is becoming
a good doctor. The Latrobe Family Medicine Residency is committed to not
only making you a good doctor, but making sure your training remains positive
and fruitful during each step of the process.
I am from a small town and my passion is rural family medicine; because
Latrobe is an unopposed residency with multiple clinic options, I am able
to experience my passion during my training. I love having the opportunity
to give back to a community that reminds me so much of home, as it will
be mine over the next few years. I have the luxury of living in the wonderful
subsidized housing they have for residents while being 10 minutes from
nearly everything. There are very few places like Latrobe Family Medicine
Residency, and I could not be more happy to be here.
Gabrielle Scherer, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Seton Hill, Greensburg, PA
Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
During my interview with the Latrobe Hospital Family Medicine Residency,
the staff and faculty were genuinely welcoming, approachable, and knowledgeable.
I then started meeting residents who were hardworking and happy, and I
knew that I wanted to be a part of this team for my family medicine training.
The residency program here will push me to become the best caretaker for
my patients which is so important to me.
I am glad that I am training not far away from where I call home, north
of Pittsburgh and staying in the residency housing a short distance from
the hospital is convenient. I am thankful to be part of a program that
feels like another supportive family.
Matthew McAlister, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Seton Hill, Greensburg, PA
Undergraduate: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
On paper, the Latrobe Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program possesses
many qualities I desire in a residency program. Its unopposed nature allows
for many hands-on opportunities which greatly facilitates learning. There
is also the opportunity to work at many different sites each with their
own diverse patient populations. The program also strikes a great balance
between inpatient and outpatient education which I feel will best prepare
me for my career.
Most importantly, I truly feel like part of family here at this program.
While I was a student, all of the residents, attendings, and staff treated
me as a valued member of the healthcare team and were genuinely interested
in me as a human being. When choosing where I wanted to end up for residency,
Independence Health System became a clear top contender for me. Not only
did I feel secure in the fact that I would be provided with a quality,
focused education that, but I wanted a place where it felt like I was
going to a second home. I honestly feel very lucky to have found a program
that could check off all the boxes for me. I look forward to making many
memories during my time here.
Anna Gorman, MD
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Undergraduate: Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
When considering residency programs, one question was at the top of my
mind: where can I become the best family physician I can be?
From the day of my interview, the Family Medicine Residency at Latrobe
Hospital stood out as a program in which I could serve my patients and
my colleagues in an effective, deeply fulfilling way while learning and
growing as a physician.
The faculty recognizes that family medicine is a quintessentially human
specialty. To take responsibility for patients’ health and provide
exceptional continuing care requires forging bonds with them based on
mutual respect and trust. It requires learning about them and their lives
to understand the critical subtleties and details of their individual
situations. Independence Health System is a place where young doctors
are encouraged to do just that.
Being an excellent family physician also requires the ability to identify,
understand, and address any health issue a patient might have. This unopposed
program gives residents the flexibility to train in all the areas necessary
to achieve this capability, and to do it in high quality facilities under
faculty who are engaged educators and who care about residents’
goals. I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to learn here.
Ashley Hildebrand, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
Undergraduate: Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA
I knew from the first day I spent at Latrobe Hospital, that this was where
I wanted to do my family medicine training. The sense of camaraderie within
the residency group stood out to me on my interview day. All of the faculty
were extremely welcoming and truly invested in the well being and future
of the residents. They made me feel comfortable from day one and made
an effort to get to know me on a personal level. Additionally, I grew
up in a small town roughly an hour outside of Latrobe, and coming to a
program that echoed that compassion, welcoming, hometown feel was important to me.
I was impressed with the residents that I got to know during my fourth
year of medical school, and I knew that accomplishing my career goals
would be possible with Independence Health System. The strong track record
of residents matching into Sports Medicine and Obstetrics fellowships
was also something that drew me to the program. Jake (my dog) and I are
excited to start a new chapter of our life, and I look forward to my next
three years here at the Latrobe Family Medicine Residency.
C. Corbin Drescher, MD
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA
Undergraduate: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
My path in medicine has been a little longer and involved more winding
roads that most resident physicians. I graduated from Geisinger Commonwealth
School of Medicine in 2014. I then spent the next eight years serving
in the US Army. While serving, I trained in Emergency Medicine at Fort
Hood, TX and later moved to Fairbanks, AK to serve as the primary care
physician for approximately 700 soldiers in the 3-21 Infantry Regiment.
The time I spent providing soldiers with full spectrum primary care gave
me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that led me to Family Medicine.
Choosing the Latrobe Family Medicine Residency Program was an easy decision
for three reasons. First, as a Pennsylvania native this program brought
me closer to home after a very long time working in remote locations.
Second, from the first moment I had contact with the program I felt they
had a genuine interest in me not only as a professional but as a person.
Third, everyone from the office staff, faculty, and residents were welcoming
and friendly. The residents were clearly happy, knowledgeable, and eager
to learn. I was overjoyed when I matched here and I am looking forward
to furthering my career with everyone within the Independence Health System.
Adam Burke, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Seton Hill, Greensburg, PA
Graduate: Youngstown State University, Master of Business Administration, Youngstown, OH
Undergraduate: Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA
I am a lifelong resident of a small rural town located in Western PA. I
attended LECOM-Seton Hill and was exposed to Independence Health System
early in my medical career after I received the prestigious Bagby Scholarship.
I knew from the moment I drove into Latrobe and observed the mountains
and rural terrain that Independence Health System was going to provide
a superb location for my residency.
During a rotation at Frick Hospital, I found the physicians and staff to
be very welcoming on day one and they truly treated the entire medical
team as if they were a large family. The less hierarchical structure provided
greater opportunities for hands-on teaching and enhanced clinical knowledge.
Every resident gave wonderful reviews about the inpatient and outpatient
curriculum supporting strong patient advocacy, while also encouraging
a healthy work-life balance.
As an active EMT at a local fire department, I enjoy working in rural communities
and helping the great people who live there. Medicine to me is more than
simply treating patients; it is being a part of their lives and their
neighborhoods. I believe in joint decision making between patient and
physician when discussing their treatment goals.
As I begin my residency, I will also utilize my recently attained Master
of Business Administration degree to be an effective family physician
who is compassionate, a strong leader, and fiscally responsible.
I humbly thank everyone for the opportunity to be a Latrobe Hospital Family
Medicine Physician and allowing me to be a part of your lives and community.
I look forward to building relationships with all of you!
