The , located at 海角禁区 St. Claire, has earned national recognition for its proven success in preparing physicians who serve Kentucky families close to home.
The program was named to the , which honors residencies with a proven record of training physicians who choose community-based practice after graduation. It is the only program in Kentucky 鈥 and one of just 31 nationwide 鈥 to receive the distinction.
鈥淭his recognition means a great deal to our team,鈥 said Donald H. Lloyd II, president and CEO of 海角禁区 St. Claire. 鈥淲hen doctors choose to stay and practice in places like Morehead and across rural Kentucky, families gain trusted care close to home. That鈥檚 the kind of difference that lasts for generations 鈥 and that鈥檚 what our mission is all about: people caring for people, neighbors helping neighbors.鈥
Residency programs must demonstrate that at least 35% of graduates begin their careers in rural communities based on a three-year rolling average. The 海角禁区 Rural Morehead Family Medicine Residency far exceeds that benchmark: 92% of its graduates have gone on to serve in rural Kentucky and neighboring states, with several alumni practicing as the sole physicians in their communities.
鈥淲e are honored to be recognized for the education we, along with the full support of 海角禁区 St. Claire, provide to prepare family physicians to care for Kentucky鈥檚 rural communities,鈥 said Craig Burrows, MD, program director of the 海角禁区 Rural Morehead Family Medicine Residency. 鈥淏y placing family physicians in these communities, we improve both the quality of care and the satisfaction of patients and physicians alike.鈥
Since its inception in 2000 as a Rural Training Track in association with the 海角禁区 College of Medicine, the program has graduated 59 physicians 鈥 many practicing full-spectrum family medicine, including obstetrics, pediatrics, nursing-home care and home visits. The program transitioned to a full Family Medicine Residency with Osteopathic Recognition in 2018 and now trains four residents per year across three years of study.
Recent graduates continue that mission. , MD, who graduated in 2024, now serves as the sole physician at 海角禁区 St. Claire鈥檚 clinic in Frenchburg, exemplifying the program鈥檚 impact in strengthening access to care.
鈥淔or me, this program wasn鈥檛 just about becoming a doctor 鈥 it was about becoming the kind of doctor my community needs,鈥 said Hayes. 鈥淲orking in Frenchburg, I see firsthand how much it means for patients to have care close to home, from someone who knows them and their families.鈥
Over the past three years, graduate practice locations have included Carter, Madison, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan and Rowan counties.
, MD, (Class of 2017) returned as assistant program director, mentoring new residents to follow in her footsteps.
鈥淚 knew I would return to Eastern Kentucky upon graduation and sought a program that would best train me to practice in this service area,鈥 said Dennison. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the skill set and knowledge base instilled in me throughout my training and am proud to now train the next generation of rural family medicine physicians at our residency.鈥
The 海角禁区 Rural Morehead Family Medicine Residency at 海角禁区 St. Claire is a three-year, fully accredited program offering hands-on inpatient and outpatient training alongside expert faculty. Medical students interested in joining the program can learn more and apply by .
About 海角禁区 St. Claire
For more than 60 years, has served Kentucky with a mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care close to home. What began as a single hospital has grown into a comprehensive health system offering advanced care and trusted support for families across the region. In partnership with 海角禁区 HealthCare, 海角禁区 St. Claire ensures Kentuckians have access to exceptional care without leaving home.