Often the best source for information about our program is through the experiences of residents who have served here. Here's what a few of them have to say.

"Firelands Regional Medical Center was in every way the best place I could have done an Internship. Firelands has an exceptional didactic program, hospital and facilities, patient variety and pathology base. Firelands also provides an excellent clinic setting to work and learn in as well as a tremendous variety of services. I truly believe that Firelands is one of the best Osteopathic training hospitals in the country. Firelands truly is a crown jewel in Sandusky."

Scott Ducharme, D.O.
Class of 2011 - Traditional Rotating Internship

"Anyone wishing to become a competent osteopathic family physician should seriously consider Firelands Osteopathic Family Medicine residency program. The program provides excellent training in both inpatient and outpatient medicine, preparing residents well for any medical issue they might encounter whether a routine issue in the office or a critical medical issue in the ICU. There is a great variety of cases and pathology, and trainees typically work one-on-one with attending so the learning environment is ideal. In addition to learning medicine, residents are also exposed to practice management with courses on coding, billing, office management and other topics that are relevant to family physicians but are usually neglected in other training programs. The Firelands Osteopathic Family Medicine program prepared me very well for independent practice and I strongly recommend this program to any osteopathic medical graduate that wants to become a competent family physician."

Luis Perez, D.O.
Class of 2011, Family Medicine Residency

"Firelands Regional Medical Center family medicine residency prepared me to be the old fashioned country doctor I dreamed of being. Unique training opportunities are available at Firelands Regional Medical Center. Examples are the hospice lectures and rotation, and house-call experiences. Within my first two months in practice, I have used my training from hospice to care for three home visit patients.

The residency clinic offers exceptional procedural training as well as the business of medicine with billing and coding experience. My office is a federally qualified healthcare center in rural PA. I have a large Amish population. After hours I was making a house call to follow up on a two year old with a perforated ear drum when her 20 year old brother came home with a laceration over his eye. He had been playing hockey on a pond with other Amish friends. I was able to drive him to the office and repair the laceration. Procedures not only augment your income, but add variety and interest to the day. In the first six months in practice, I have done endometrial biopsies, I & D’s, excisional and punch biopsies, thrombosed hemorrhoid evacuation and removal of a lipoma, all procedures that I had previously done in the residency clinic.

First year residents commonly dread the night call rotation. This rotation and the on call clinic beeper are extremely important in preparing for the real world. My first on call weekend for the five physician call group that I participate in had me nervous, but I had a calming reassurance recalling my three years of residency training. That training also reflected on the transition to a new hospital.

The medical education staff is dedicated to the education of each resident. I never realized how important the record keeping during residency is until I applied for privileges at UPMC Horizon hospital. The application was simplified because of the efforts of the medical education staff. The family medicine residency at Firelands Regional Medical Center is truly an excellent training experience. I am glad to be a graduate."

Lisa A. Phelps, D.O.
Class of 2008 - Family Medicine Residency

"Not only did I receive an excellent medical education, but I found the practice management we got in our residency to be invaluable to me starting my own practice. I cannot say enough about how well prepared I was. Dr. Mast, Dr. Preston, Donna, and Mel did an excellent job both in education and organization of my post graduate medical education."

Brian McCleary, D.O.
Class of 2005 - Family Medicine Residency

"In my opinion, Firelands Regional Medical Center has one of the best family medicine programs in the country. I really enjoyed my time there. As an alumnus, I feel extremely confident in my diagnostic and procedural skills. Firelands' physicians are friendly and enthusiastic about medical education. The hospital atmosphere is very pleasant and conducive to learning. The staff loves to teach and mentor residents. Firelands, being a larger medical center, has the volume and pathology needed to offer first-rate medical education. Residents are given excellent instruction and teaching while also being given the independence to learn how to confidently manage both inpatients and outpatients on their own. Outpatient based and hospital based procedures are routinely available for students and residents. Firelands also has incredible medical education support staff that makes it easy to organize and schedule your life as a resident. This is invaluable, and helps resident life go much more smoothly. In short, I would highly recommend Firelands Regional Medical Center family medicine residency to anyone who desires a top-notch resident friendly program."

Larry Robinson, D.O.
Class of 2005 - Family Medicine Residency