For Dr. Jasdip Singh, medicine was always more than a career path. It’s been a calling. And now medicine is calling him back to the Central Valley as a family medicine physician resident at Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center in Modesto.
Dr. Singh is part of the 39 resident physicians this June as part of the hospital’s new nationally accredited internal medicine and family medicine physician residency programs—a first for Sutter Health in the Central Valley.
“A key differentiator of our residency program is the emphasis on training in community settings,” said Dr. RaeLeigh Payanes, who will serve as program director of the family medicine physician residency program. “Residents work directly with patients across urban, suburban and rural areas—connecting them more deeply to their work and community, fostering compassionate and patient-centered care that is tailored to their unique needs.”
Jasdip Singh as a boy
Dr. Singh’s journey toward becoming a physician can be traced back to when he immigrated from India to Turlock in 2007. As a seventh-grader, he had to navigate the challenges of learning a new language, culture and way of life. With the support of teachers and classmates, he found his footing. Their kindness had a profound effect and provided the base onto which he built his care philosophy.
His interest in medicine deepened as he volunteered at a hospital in Merced. Later, as a scribe in the emergency department at Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center, he had an unparalleled view into medical decision-making, closely observing how physicians work through complex cases.
But it was a personal experience that truly cemented Dr. Singh’s commitment to patient care. When his grandmother endured a stroke in India, leaving her partially paralyzed, he saw firsthand the devastating effects of illness on families.
“It really can leave a mark on you when you see a loved one in pain,” he reflected.
Dr. Singh pursued his medical education at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Lynchburg, Va. While there where he worked in a rural health clinic, encountering a broad range of conditions—from high blood pressure to wound care—often in resource-limited settings. He witnessed firsthand how hospital closures forced patients to travel long distances for treatment, reinforcing the importance of accessible care.
He also saw the effects of patients waiting too long to seek medical attention, explaining how insufficient primary care access can push patients toward emergency departments for treatment of preventable conditions.
It is a phenomenon that also exists in the Central Valley, says Dr. Payanes.
“Research has shown there is a disproportionate number of health care providers to the number of people living in the Central Valley, and the area continues to grow,” she said. “Adding more primary care doctors can help patients receive timely, high-quality care more consistently.
Throughout his training, Dr. Singh has been humbled by his patient encounters, viewing them as opportunities for learning—not just about medicine, but about people. He is intentional about taking the time to listen, hoping patients don’t feel rushed.
“I want them to share their story, and I want them to know I am listening to their story,” he said.
Dr. Jasdip Singh at his medical school graduation
Beyond the professional excitement, Dr. Singh is thrilled to be back in the place he calls home. With family close by and favorite familiar flavors waiting—especially Mexican food—his journey comes full circle. But more than that, he is eager to serve the community that embraced and shaped him, helping deliver compassionate and accessible healthcare for those who need it most.
“I know I can’t thank each of my classmates or my teachers or mentors personally, but returning to this community to care for others is the next best thing,” he said.
For more information about the family medicine residency program at Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center in Modesto, visit: https://www.sutterhealth.org/education/gme/memorial-medical-family-medicine.
