Our History

The Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency was founded in 1978 by Robert Babineau, Sr., MD (pictured below right in 1984), a visionary physician who returned to Fitchburg after the Korean War and opened his family medicine practice in 1952.

Dr. Babineau was one of the first board-certified family physicians in northern Massachusetts. He helped form a group of four physicians who became the foundation of a clinically and politically active Department of Family Medicine at Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg, MA. By the late 1970s, this team committed itself to founding a residency program to share its vision of comprehensive, full-spectrum Family Medicine—including obstetrics and intensive care—grounded in continuity of care and community engagement.

A Model for Community-Based Training
From its earliest days, the Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency was designed to offer a rigorous and rewarding learning experience:

• PGY-1 residents benefit from the high-intensity supervision and academic environment of a major medical center.
• PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents enjoy increased autonomy and responsibility through community hospital training, complemented by elective opportunities in Worcester, Boston, or beyond.

Many of our graduates have chosen to stay in New England, and a significant number of HealthAlliance family physicians are former residents, faculty, or both.

A Mission of Service and Collaboration
Our mission of service is inseparable from our mission to educate. The residency thrives through strong support from the Department of Family Medicine at HealthAlliance Hospital and close interdisciplinary collaboration with internists, obstetricians, psychiatrists, surgeons, and pediatricians. As the only resident staff in the hospital, Fitchburg residents develop meaningful, collegial relationships with physicians and support staff across departments. 

Rooted in Legacy, Driven by Purpose
Today, the Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency remains grounded in the values that inspired its founding. Our long-standing partnership with the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at UMass Chan Medical School continues to provide rich academic and intellectual resources. 

Community service remains central to our identity. The residency serves as a vital source of care for underserved populations in the region. We are the primary provider of care at HealthAlliance Fitchburg Family Practice, a state-of-the-art facility opened in 2014—named in honor of Dr. Babineau—where the spirit of his work continues to guide and inspire.