NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robert Viamontes
Assistant Public Information Officer,
Ventura County Health Care Agency
(805) 515 – 9180
August 21, 2025
Ventura County Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Retains No. 2 Ranking Nationally in Doximity’s 2025–2026 Residency Navigator
Program remains No. 1 in California, reflecting excellence in training, innovation, and community impact
VENTURA, Calif. — The Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) Family Medicine Residency Program has once again been ranked No. 2 in the nation by Doximity’s Residency Navigator 2025–2026, retaining its place among more than 800 family medicine residency programs across the United States. The program also continues to hold the No. 1 spot in California, reinforcing its reputation for excellence in training the next generation of physicians dedicated to serving their communities.
“Our Family Medicine Residency stands out nationally because we train residents in the full scope of family medicine, including primary care, women’s health, emergency medicine, hospital care, surgery, trauma, and community outreach,” said Dr. Jacob David, Program Director. “We’ve launched innovative programs like palliative care and addiction medicine to fill critical gaps in local services, attracting mission-driven physicians committed to serving underserved communities.”
This national recognition reflects the program’s strong standing across the country and supports ongoing recruitment of top medical students nationwide. Many graduates choose to remain and practice locally, helping to address the growing shortage of high-quality primary care physicians in the County of Ventura.
The VCMC Family Medicine Residency Program is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the introduction of a four-year curriculum. Chosen as one of only a select few programs in the country, it will participate in the prestigious Advancing Innovation in Residency Education (AIRE) initiative, led by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).
This expansion reflects VCMC’s commitment to preserving the full spectrum of family medicine training, preparing physicians to care for patients across all settings, from hospital and clinic, to home and community. The additional year creates the flexibility to address evolving health care demands, respond to the ongoing decline in hands-on training time, and prioritize resident well-being.
“In deciding on where to apply for residency, the factors that were most imperative to me was the breadth of training the program offered, the people that I would be honored to work with, and the community I would have the privilege to serve. The town of Ventura, the county Medical Center, and the Family Medicine Residency have delivered on all fronts,” said Dr. Moira Wood, Family Medicine Chief Resident. “Despite the long hours and emotionally taxing shifts, I find great joy in my work, and that is entirely due to the community I work with and learn from, colleagues and patients alike. Thanks to the scope of practice here, I know I’ll be equipped with the skills my future communities will need.”
Dr. Wood plans to pursue advanced training in reproductive health and high-risk pregnancy care, with the goal of serving communities historically excluded from equitable access to care in the U.S. and abroad. Though she once expected to leave after graduation, she now hopes to stay in Ventura a while longer.
Building on more than 50 years of excellence in family medicine education, the VCMC Family Medicine Residency Program remains committed to full-spectrum training that serves communities both locally and globally. This latest recognition and curriculum expansion represent a renewal of the program’s founding values and an investment in the future of primary care in the County of Ventura and beyond.
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About Doximity’s Residency Navigator
Doximity’s Residency Navigator is a nationwide tool that helps medical students make informed decisions about residency programs by combining three data sources: satisfaction surveys from current residents and recent alumni, reputation scores from board-certified physicians in the specialty, and objective data from public and proprietary sources. Using customizable search features, medical students can explore programs by geography, training environment, size, and career outcomes, as well as review detailed program profiles that highlight notable alumni and other key information to guide the residency match process.
About VCMC’S Family Residency Program
The Family Medicine Residency Program at VCMC is a premier, full-spectrum training site with a rich history dating back to 1928 as one of the original 15 approved family practice programs. Known for preparing physicians to serve diverse and medically underserved populations, the program offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient experience across medicine, surgery, obstetrics, ICU, emergency, and pediatrics. Residents benefit from a supportive learning environment with protected didactic time, community engagement, and the unique experience of living and training in Ventura, California. For more information visit venturafamilymed.org.
