Local family medicine physicians and Keck School of Medicine of USC graduates (left to right) John Okerblom, M.D., Robert Okerblom, M.D., Donald Hole, M.D., and Michael Schrager, M.D., pose for a photo in front of Marian Regional Medical Center.
for a total of 18 residents. As a dully-accredited, three-year, post-graduate program, which also includes an affiliation with Western University, physician residents at Marian will experience the entire spectrum of family medicine, from labor and delivery to geriatrics and every stage of life in between.
Dr. Robert Okerblom explains, “With a new hospital located in a vacation destination region and a large number of receptive, diverse and challenging patients, Marian’s residency program will provide an educational experience difficult to find anywhere else. Our location and new hospital provide many desirable educational and lifestyle aspects. As a result, many of the program’s residents will decide to establish practices and raise their families here on the Central Coast.”
Longtime family medicine physicians and Keck School of Medicine graduates, Donald Hole, M.D., John Okerblom, M.D., Robert Okerblom, M.D., and Michael Schrager, M.D., understand the value of Marian’s residency affiliation with USC. “With the motto ‘See one. Do one. Teach one.’ the Keck School of Medicine stands by its tradition of providing physician “As a Keck School of Medicine alumni, I am confident that residents with a foundation for life-long learning as well as a Marian’s USC connection will provide the medical center and practical experience,” affirms Dr. Donald Hole. “Physician our residents with the highest academic standards, the latest residents at Marian will also have the benefit of being part of in cutting edge research and the greatest minds in medicine,” the only residency program at a large tertiary hospital, providshares Dr. John Okerblom. ing residents with access to challenging patients and hands on experience in all specialties.” Dr. Michael Schrager, Dignity Health Hospice Medical Director, adds, “Marian’s resident physicians will have the benefit of training in a unique and ideal environment – a commuTHE RECRUITMENT nity-based setting with the support of a world-class university. Residents’ training environment is a fundamental element to Marian has recruited top physician faculty members, skilled understanding family medicine because as primary care physi- health care professionals and is currently recruiting prospeccians we must learn to care for the masses, treating common tive physician residents who all share one commonality: they conditions uncommonly well.” all have the passion and expertise to be leaders in their field. Although Marian’s USC affiliation is crucial to providing the highest level of primary care residency training, more importantly, the USC affiliation will improve the level of health care provided to all community members.
Within just months of instituting the program, Marian received more than 150 applications from the nation’s brightest and most talented physicians who are inspired to be pioneering leaders as Marian’s first class of family medicine residents.
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