Alumni Testimonials
Emily Brown, MD, 2021 residency graduate: “I was beyond fortunate to match with Fitchburg for my Family Medicine residency because I gained well-rounded training in a compassionate learning environment. Thanks to the Fitchburg FM Program, I experienced inpatient and outpatient care through both the community hospital and academic tertiary care center settings. My current patients are deeply appreciative of the comprehensive primary care I deliver for acute and chronic concerns, including Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid dependence. On behalf of my patients, many heartfelt thanks to the UMass Family Medicine Fitchburg staff and faculty!”
Amanda Dostaler, DO, 2021 residency graduate: “The Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency program offers an amazing residency experience which provides a well-rounded family medicine education. With the training I received, I have been able to confidently care for patients as an attending in a rural health setting. This residency program encourages individual growth while emphasizing health and wellness. I could not have imagined completing my residency with any other program."
Emily Eshleman, DO, 2022 residency graduate: “I am so grateful for my time at Fitchburg Family Practice. The faculty, staff and residents were always so supportive to me both personally and professionally. I learned how to care for the community and serve the underserved in a comprehensive and holistic way. I was challenged to grow my inpatient and outpatient skills and I feel prepared to practice in any setting after completing this program.”
Paul Kehoe, MD, 2023 residency graduate: “I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn and grow in the Fitchburg Family Medicine program. During my time there, I was able to become a well-rounded primary care physician with the support of faculty and staff that I came to consider as friends. I think back on my time there and feel happy knowing that I made the choice I did.”
Tom Wickham, DO, 2023 residency graduate: "I am so grateful for my time at Fitchburg Faily Practice. My residency experience prepared me exceptionally well to care for patients across a wide range of ages, from pediatrics through geriatrics, and to manage an equally broad spectrum of medical conditions. The clinical exposure and responsibility I received during training provided a strong foundation for approaching both common and complex pathology with confidence, while also teaching me how to adapt my clinical approach to the individual needs of each patient. Now practicing independently in the same community, I continue to recognize how well my residency prepared me for the realities of day-to-day clinical practice.
A particularly valuable aspect of my training was its osteopathic foundation. My education emphasized a comprehensive, whole-person approach to medicine, incorporating not only the diagnosis and treatment of disease but also an understanding of how physical, functional, and lifestyle factors contribute to a patient's overall health. This training has continued to influence my approach to patient care as an attending physician. The combination of strong clinical training, exposure to diverse pathology and patient populations, and an osteopathic philosophy has provided me with the skills and perspective necessary to practice effectively and compassionately. I am grateful for the preparation I received at UMass Fitchburg Family Practice and the supportive environment in which I received it."
Kelsey Wood, MD, 2024 residency graduate: “Medicine has continued to be a journey intellectually and emotionally since graduation, but my preceptors prepared me well for the adventure. I feel confident in how to approach new medical topics, and I have a mental toolbox for handling complex conflict and stresses. The growing need and political divide are challenging, so I regularly recall my FFP training. My teachers and team were loving of our patients and community. They taught me to listen to and trust my conscience.”