Family Medicine Residency Program | HealthLinc | Northern Indiana Residency Program

My goal is to become a clinical expert in the realm of whole-patient health care, a champion for preventative care and a cultural liaison to bridge the gap between a diverse body of patients and access to an ever-complex healthcare system. My training at HealthLinc under Dr. Bates will provide me with the foundation, knowledge and resources I need to become a community leader and improve the quality of life for all my future patients through lifestyle changes, early interventions and disease prevention.

Sarah Elassal
Family Medicine Resident

Entering the realm of medical residency is an electrifying chapter in my journey to become a skilled and compassionate healthcare professional. I felt blessed after getting matched with the Northwest Family Medicine Residency, as I believe this program has everything I need as a family medicine resident. I believe I will become a confident and competent physician during my residency training.

Chukwuka Ikediashi
Family Medicine Resident

Choosing family medicine has allowed me to reach my full potential as a resident physician and lead a balanced work lifestyle. Family medicine provides the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients and their families, often spanning across generations. This allows for a deeper understanding of their medical history and a more personalized approach to their care. As a family medicine resident, I am able to continue my medical training alongside enthusiastic and passionate colleagues, where I can further develop my diagnostic skills, constantly elevate my medical knowledge and grow into a more qualified and competent physician. Ultimately, choosing family medicine has allowed me to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of patients and their families.

Andrea Origenes
Family Medicine Resident

I began my career in health care in 2000. Since then, I have worked as an EMT, paramedic, volunteer firefighter, career firefighter/paramedic, community paramedic and EMS educator. My experience has shown me the vital and pivotal role primary health care has in aiding our community members to optimize their health and lifestyle goals at all stages of life. I am excited to begin this family medicine residency in my hometown, where I will strive to improve the health and wellness of my patients and our community.

Jessica Swearingen
Family Medicine Resident

As a Valparaiso native, I couldn’t have been more excited to learn Northwest Health was launching a residency program, welcoming its first class in 2023. I am honored to be a member of the inaugural class, as I believe this program will emphasize positive change and improve the delivery of health care and outreach within our community. It is my goal to create a compassionate atmosphere where patients of all ages, genders, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds feel comfortable discussing their physical and emotional needs and concerns. By integrating my experiences across family medicine, including geriatrics, general medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry and obstetrics-gynecology, I am able to serve my patients who have needs in all areas of medicine. For these reasons, I chose this family medicine residency program at Northwest Health.

Laura Bicalho Vives
Family Medicine Resident

My love of science set in motion my desire to become a family physician. After graduating from medical school in China, I obtained my PhD in cancer research and then headed to the University of Toronto as a Cancer Research Postdoctoral fellow. My extensive research experience showed me how medical breakthroughs in test tubes can become lifesaving clinical advances on the front lines. My last five years in Canada practicing family medicine has given me strong problem-solving and clinical skills that have enabled me to become a successful evidence-based practitioner. Joining the newly accredited Northwest Health Family Medicine Residency Program in Valparaiso offers me the opportunity to begin a new chapter of my medical career. I am looking forward to exploring all the subspecialties of family medicine and working with enthusiastic physicians over the next three years.

Yangyang Wang
Family Medicine Resident

HealthLinc’s mission is to create healthy communities. As a Federally Qualified Health Center and Patient-Centered Medical Home Level 3, we are committed to providing coordinated, comprehensive and accessible care. With a multitude of services, including medical, dental, optometry, clinical pharmacy, pediatrics, women’s health, including prenatal care, and podiatry, our collaborative interdisciplinary approach to patient care sets us apart.

Throughout the Northwest Health Family Medicine Residency, you will work with many adept and mission-oriented faculty who will guide you through your journey, providing an ambulatory-focused education with an inpatient experience that demonstrates excellence through a patient-centered, team-based approach.

For a video tour of our clinic, click here.

This program offers comprehensive training to provide a solid foundation for family medicine practice. A traditional block schedule is followed while allowing residents to personalize their experience through various electives. Elective options may include ambulatory pain medicine, community medicine, hospital-based research, or an elective rotation designed by the resident in collaboration with the program director. For more information, please visit the Northwest Health Family Medicine Residency page.

The Northwest Health Family Medicine Residency program accepts 6 PGY-I residents a year. All applications must go through ERAS.

A complete application must have:

ERAS application / Curriculum vitae
Personal statement
3 letters of recommendation
USMLE or COMLEX transcript
Medical school transcript
ECFMG transcript (for international medical students/graduates only)
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), also called a “Dean’s Letter”

The program provides J-1 visa sponsorship only at this time.

Specific questions about the residency program should be addressed to the program coordinator, Rylee Catlin, at rylee.catlin@nwhealthin.com or (219) 983-6283.

If you are a medical student looking for a family medicine clinical rotation at HealthLinc please visit our student page.

If you are a 4th year medical student wishing to do an audition rotation in the Northwest Health Family Medicine Residency, please click here.