Building Healthier Communities: Valley Health Invests in Physician Education

The Shenandoah Valley is one of the fastest-growing regions in our area, and with that growth comes a greater demand for healthcare. Families are moving here for the quality of life, but as our population rises, so does the need for more physicians to provide timely, high-quality care.

At the same time, the nation faces a critical physician shortage, especially in rural communities, making it harder than ever to recruit doctors. Valley Health knew we had to take action to ensure our community has the care it deserves. That’s why we’re launching a new Internal Medicine Residency Program: to train and retain the physicians our region needs, right here at home.

In July 2026, we’ll welcome the first class of residents to our new Internal Medicine Residency Program at Winchester Medical Center. This program isn’t just about training doctors; it’s about keeping care close to home.

Why does this matter?

Studies show physicians often stay where they train. By creating a residency program right here in the Shenandoah Valley, we’re building a pipeline of future internists who understand our communities and are investing in their health. These doctors will treat everything from routine checkups to complex cases, supported by passionate faculty and a team-based culture that values collaboration and compassion.

Award-Winning Education in Our Backyard
Valley Health’s commitment to excellence goes beyond patient care; it extends to training the next generation of physicians. Our Shenandoah Valley Family Medicine Residency Program in Front Royal has graduated 120 doctors over the course of 25 years, becoming a national model for preparing doctors to serve rural communities. In 2025, 25% of those graduates committed to staying with Valley Health as caregivers, proving that this close-to-home education model can work to fill the need in our physician community. That dedication was recently recognized when Warren Memorial Hospital earned the prestigious 2024 Leapfrog Top Teaching Hospital Award, one of the highest honors in healthcare quality and safety.

This award isn’t given lightly. Leapfrog evaluates hospitals nationwide on rigorous standards of systems to prevent medication errors, high-quality maternity care, low infection rates, and overall patient safety. Only hospitals that achieve an “A” safety grade and meet these benchmarks are eligible. In 2024, Warren Memorial stood among the nation’s best, proving that exceptional care and education can thrive in a community setting.

Building on this success, Valley Health is launching a new Internal Medicine Residency Program at Winchester Medical Center in July 2026. Like our award-winning family medicine program, this initiative will train physicians who understand our region and are committed to keeping care close to home. Because when we invest in education, we invest in healthier communities, today and for generations to come.

Our mission is simple:

• Train exceptional physicians who are ready to serve rural communities.
• Strengthen local access to care, so families don’t have to travel for basic health needs.
• Invest in the future of healthcare for generations to come.

Winchester offers something rare, a place where residents can learn in a high-quality medical center while enjoying the benefits of small-town life and easy access to major cities. It’s a setting that inspires growth, service, and connection.

This program is more than education. It’s a promise: that Valley Health will continue to lead in building healthier communities, one physician at a time.