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Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center welcomes 1st cohort of internal medicine residents
Inaugural residency cohort and new Sentara internal medicine clinic strengthen access to primary care in Northern Virginia
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) is proud to welcome the inaugural cohort of 15 physicians into its new Internal Medicine Residency Program, marking a transformative moment in the hospital’s commitment to medical education, physician workforce development, and expanded access to health care in Northern Virginia.
The residents will arrive in June for onboarding at the hospital and officially begin training in July 2026. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). As SNVMC’s first-ever residency program, the launch represents a major investment in both the hospital and the community it serves.
“This is a landmark moment for our hospital,” said Jeff Joyner, SNVMC president and senior vice president of Sentara’s Northwestern Market. “Welcoming our first residents reflects years of planning, collaboration, and vision. These physicians are not only beginning the next chapter of their careers, but they are also helping shape the future of healthcare delivery at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and in Prince William County.”
Jeannie Lenberg, administrative director of medical education for Sentara, remarked, “Sentara is strongly committed to this new program and others that are being developed throughout our system. Graduate medical education strengthens not only physician training, but also the culture of learning, innovation, and excellence throughout hospitals that are home to such programs."
The new residency program is part of Sentara Health’s broader expansion of graduate medical education programs across Virginia and North Carolina.
In 2024, Sentara announced plans to establish new residency programs at SNVMC, as well as Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, and Sentara Albemarle Medical Center. Sentara is also seeking to expand specialty training programs. In 2025, Sentara launched a new neurology residency program at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
The new programs will help address projected physician shortages and expand access to high-quality care.
As part of the residency program launch, Sentara Medical Group is also opening a new adult primary care practice, Sentara Internal Medicine Physicians, located on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in the Century Building. The practice will provide comprehensive internal medicine and primary care services for patients aged 18 and older, including preventive care, chronic disease management, hospital follow-up visits, and same-day sick appointments.
The practice will be led by established Sentara Medical Group physician Nikee Shrestha, M.D., who will oversee and mentor resident physicians rotating through the clinic as part of their specialized training.
“Our residents are physicians,” said C. Nasir Majeed, M.D., program director. “They have completed medical school and are now receiving advanced, hands-on training under the supervision of experienced, board-certified internists. Patients benefit not only from that close oversight, but also from physicians who are deeply familiar with the latest evidence-based medicine and current best practices.”
“One of the major advantages of this model is improved access,” said Joyner. “Patients will be able to get appointments quickly, including same-day visits for acute needs. At a time when many people wait weeks or months to establish care with a primary care provider, this practice offers a high-quality option with exceptional availability.”
The three-year residency program emphasizes evidence-based medicine, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient-centered care, and strong physician-patient relationships. Residents will work alongside experienced physicians and clinical teams while serving the healthcare needs of the region.
“This first cohort represents the beginning of a new era for our organization,” said Asif Mahmood, M.D., associate program director. “The teaching clinic will allow residents to build long-term relationships with patients while providing compassionate, comprehensive care.”
The residency program and teaching clinic will also help strengthen long-term access to care in Northern Virginia. Studies consistently show physicians are more likely to practice in communities where they complete their residency training.
“We believe investing in physician education locally helps build a stronger healthcare workforce locally,” Joyner added. “This program positions our hospital as a teaching institution, expands access to primary care, and reinforces our mission to improve health every day.”
15 new resident physicians
The residents will arrive in June for onboarding at the hospital and officially begin training in July 2026. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). As SNVMC’s first-ever residency program, the launch represents a major investment in both the hospital and the community it serves.
“This is a landmark moment for our hospital,” said Jeff Joyner, SNVMC president and senior vice president of Sentara’s Northwestern Market. “Welcoming our first residents reflects years of planning, collaboration, and vision. These physicians are not only beginning the next chapter of their careers, but they are also helping shape the future of healthcare delivery at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and in Prince William County.”
Jeannie Lenberg, administrative director of medical education for Sentara, remarked, “Sentara is strongly committed to this new program and others that are being developed throughout our system. Graduate medical education strengthens not only physician training, but also the culture of learning, innovation, and excellence throughout hospitals that are home to such programs."
The new residency program is part of Sentara Health’s broader expansion of graduate medical education programs across Virginia and North Carolina.
In 2024, Sentara announced plans to establish new residency programs at SNVMC, as well as Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, and Sentara Albemarle Medical Center. Sentara is also seeking to expand specialty training programs. In 2025, Sentara launched a new neurology residency program at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
The new programs will help address projected physician shortages and expand access to high-quality care.
New internal medicine practice
As part of the residency program launch, Sentara Medical Group is also opening a new adult primary care practice, Sentara Internal Medicine Physicians, located on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in the Century Building. The practice will provide comprehensive internal medicine and primary care services for patients aged 18 and older, including preventive care, chronic disease management, hospital follow-up visits, and same-day sick appointments.
The practice will be led by established Sentara Medical Group physician Nikee Shrestha, M.D., who will oversee and mentor resident physicians rotating through the clinic as part of their specialized training.
“Our residents are physicians,” said C. Nasir Majeed, M.D., program director. “They have completed medical school and are now receiving advanced, hands-on training under the supervision of experienced, board-certified internists. Patients benefit not only from that close oversight, but also from physicians who are deeply familiar with the latest evidence-based medicine and current best practices.”
“One of the major advantages of this model is improved access,” said Joyner. “Patients will be able to get appointments quickly, including same-day visits for acute needs. At a time when many people wait weeks or months to establish care with a primary care provider, this practice offers a high-quality option with exceptional availability.”
Growing the physician workforce
The three-year residency program emphasizes evidence-based medicine, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient-centered care, and strong physician-patient relationships. Residents will work alongside experienced physicians and clinical teams while serving the healthcare needs of the region.
“This first cohort represents the beginning of a new era for our organization,” said Asif Mahmood, M.D., associate program director. “The teaching clinic will allow residents to build long-term relationships with patients while providing compassionate, comprehensive care.”
The residency program and teaching clinic will also help strengthen long-term access to care in Northern Virginia. Studies consistently show physicians are more likely to practice in communities where they complete their residency training.
“We believe investing in physician education locally helps build a stronger healthcare workforce locally,” Joyner added. “This program positions our hospital as a teaching institution, expands access to primary care, and reinforces our mission to improve health every day.”
By: Jon Radulovic