Aguilar announces over $5.8 million in federal funding for Inland Empire medical residents in primary care

Today, Rep. Aguilar announced over $5.8 million in federal funding for SAC Health System (SACHS) as part of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program. The funding will help SACHS continue its medical residency program, allowing residents to train in a community-based health care setting in the Inland Empire. There are currently 37 medical residents completing their residencies through SACHS, including 17 in family medicine, 12 in pediatrics, and 8 in psychiatrics.

“Every Inland Empire resident should have access to high-quality health care regardless of their economic situation, and SACHS plays a major role in accomplishing that goal,” said Rep. Aguilar. He continued, “I’m proud to announce this funding, which will allow more medical residents to train and treat patients in our community and lead to better health outcomes for underserved families throughout San Bernardino County.”

Dr. Kevin Shannon, Assistant Chief Medical Officer for SAC Health System, said, “With bipartisan support, including that of Rep. Aguilar for the last fouryears, SACHS has benefitted from ongoing Teaching Health Center (THC) funding from HRSA. A recent national study showed that it is three times more likely for graduates of THC-funded primary care training programs to practice in community health centers. We have seen that up close: half of our graduating class inquired about staying to practice with us, as they see how effective a federally-qualified health center is at meeting the many and varied needs of our patients. This funding makes a difference.”