New Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center residency program earns accreditation
Inaugural program will help address projected physician shortages
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) has received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for its new Internal Medicine Residency Program, set to welcome its first cohort in July 2026.
“Earning accreditation marks a pivotal achievement for our institution,” said SNVMC President and SVP of Sentara’s Northwestern Market Jeff Joyner. “The planning has been going on since 2022, so we are all eager to begin this transformative journey to develop future physicians in our community.”
Program leaders are now reviewing applications for the inaugural cohort.
“We invite passionate medical graduates to apply and join us in shaping the future of healthcare through exceptional training in internal medicine,” Joyner added.
For more information, please visit the SNVMC Internal Medicine Residency Program website.
The program offers hands-on clinical experience, emphasizing patient-physician relationships, diverse case exposure, and community impact.
“This innovative program, built on years of planning, emphasizes excellence in clinical training, evidence-based care, and community service,” said C. Nasir Majeed, M.D., the program director. “By attracting top medical graduates, we aim to strengthen the local physician workforce and address projected physician shortages.”
Asif Mahmood, M.D., associate program director, noted, “This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our mission to train the next generation of outstanding internists.”
Sentara’s leadership is committed to medical education, providing substantial resources to ensure a high-quality learning environment.
“This strategic oversight prioritizes resident well-being and professional development, positioning Sentara as a leader in cultivating the next generation of physicians,” said Jeannie Lenberg, administrative director of medical education.
In 2024, Sentara announced plans to nearly double its residency positions to over 400 within six years, establishing new programs at Sentara CarePlex Hospital (Hampton, Virginia), Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center (Williamsburg, Virginia), and Sentara Albemarle Medical Center (Elizabeth City, North Carolina).
Currently, Sentara funds 240 residency positions at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
“We believe strongly that if we train more physicians locally in our markets, we’re more likely to keep physicians locally in our markets,” said Michael Hooper, M.D., senior vice president, chief medical and academic officer.
This addresses a projected U.S. physician shortage of 13,500 to 86,000 by 2036, per the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Sentara continues to invest in healthcare education, contributing nearly $4 million in 2023 to programs like Sentara Scholars, supporting over 7,000 students, and Project CHOICE, aiding 500 students in pursuing healthcare careers.
“The education of physicians and other clinical professionals will be different in the future as they will face new challenges and opportunities along with evolving technologies that are on the horizon,” said Joyner.
“Earning accreditation marks a pivotal achievement for our institution,” said SNVMC President and SVP of Sentara’s Northwestern Market Jeff Joyner. “The planning has been going on since 2022, so we are all eager to begin this transformative journey to develop future physicians in our community.”
Program leaders are now reviewing applications for the inaugural cohort.
“We invite passionate medical graduates to apply and join us in shaping the future of healthcare through exceptional training in internal medicine,” Joyner added.
For more information, please visit the SNVMC Internal Medicine Residency Program website.
Program to offer excellent clinical experience
The program offers hands-on clinical experience, emphasizing patient-physician relationships, diverse case exposure, and community impact.
“This innovative program, built on years of planning, emphasizes excellence in clinical training, evidence-based care, and community service,” said C. Nasir Majeed, M.D., the program director. “By attracting top medical graduates, we aim to strengthen the local physician workforce and address projected physician shortages.”
Asif Mahmood, M.D., associate program director, noted, “This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our mission to train the next generation of outstanding internists.”
Sentara’s commitment to residency programs
Sentara’s leadership is committed to medical education, providing substantial resources to ensure a high-quality learning environment.
“This strategic oversight prioritizes resident well-being and professional development, positioning Sentara as a leader in cultivating the next generation of physicians,” said Jeannie Lenberg, administrative director of medical education.
In 2024, Sentara announced plans to nearly double its residency positions to over 400 within six years, establishing new programs at Sentara CarePlex Hospital (Hampton, Virginia), Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center (Williamsburg, Virginia), and Sentara Albemarle Medical Center (Elizabeth City, North Carolina).
Currently, Sentara funds 240 residency positions at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
“We believe strongly that if we train more physicians locally in our markets, we’re more likely to keep physicians locally in our markets,” said Michael Hooper, M.D., senior vice president, chief medical and academic officer.
This addresses a projected U.S. physician shortage of 13,500 to 86,000 by 2036, per the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Sentara continues investment in training
Sentara continues to invest in healthcare education, contributing nearly $4 million in 2023 to programs like Sentara Scholars, supporting over 7,000 students, and Project CHOICE, aiding 500 students in pursuing healthcare careers.
“The education of physicians and other clinical professionals will be different in the future as they will face new challenges and opportunities along with evolving technologies that are on the horizon,” said Joyner.
By: Jon Radulovic