On Feb. 27, healthcare organizations across the country will pause to recognize ‘Thank a Resident and Fellow Day’.
Dr. Dineen Greer
“The observance honors the dedication and impact of residents and fellows in shaping the future of medicine,” says Dr. Dineen Greer, vice president of Graduate Medical Education and designated institutional official. “They are the foundation of today’s care teams and critical to meeting the growing needs of the communities we serve.”
Residents and fellows play a vital role in advancing care across Sutter Health. In parallel, the organization continues to strengthen its commitment to graduate medical education through ongoing investment and expansion.
In 2025, the system welcomed 185 physicians into residency and fellowship programs, filling 100% of available positions. Over the next four years, Sutter plans to launch 21 new physician training programs in specialty areas of medicine including internal medicine, neurology, cardiology, family medicine and obstetrics-gynecology.
Behind these numbers are personal stories of purpose, professional bonds forged through new training opportunities and the promise of a bright future in medicine.
Where Training Connects with Passion
Dr. Lyndsey Reich, a second-year internal medicine resident at Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center says the strong sense of camaraderie among her mentors and fellow residents means everything.
Dr. Lyndsey Reich
“Without the support of my colleagues and some fantastic attendings at Summit, I don’t think we would be successful in this residency venture,” she explains. “What I appreciate most about residency at Sutter has been the relationships with colleagues, attendings and hospital staff that keep me coming back day after day.”
Dr. Reich plans to apply this year for a fellowship at Sutter in hematology-oncology. Her path toward that field of medicine began at age 14 when her father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. “My experiences caring for my father shaped not only who I am as a person, but the kind of physician I want to be,” says Dr. Reich.
Her aspirations have been nurtured by Sutter mentors, including Dr. Kevin Knopf, an oncologist at Alta bates Summit who nominated her as a Visionaries of the Year candidate through Blood Cancer United in recognition of her dedication and leadership. As part of her campaign, she is raising funds, supporting advocacy and research for individuals with blood cancer.
Residency training can be demanding, but Dr. Reich says it has been critical to building knowledge and professional relationships that are pivotal to a successful career in medicine.
The Choice to Stay
For many, residency is just the beginning and fellowship training is where physicians deepen their expertise in a specific field of medicine.
For Dr. Zachary M. Visinoni, fellowship at Sutter has been both a training ground and a home. After graduating from Sutter Roseville Medical Center’s inaugural internal medicine residency class in 2025, Dr. Visinoni chose to remain at Sutter to pursue a cardiovascular disease fellowship. Sutter is among few community-based health systems in the United States that offer a fellowship in this area.
Dr. Zachary Visinoni
“I chose to stay at Sutter for its cardiovascular disease fellowship because of the strong faculty mentorship, the safe and family-friendly community, and the wide range of conditions we see as a regional referral center,” says Dr. Visinoni. “From the start of my training, the program and its people have invested in my success and supported me in my pursuit to become a cardiologist.”
Dr. Visinoni’s decision reflects a pathway within Sutter’s expanding GME programs. Physicians who train within the system often remain to serve the communities that supported their growth.
Leading with Gratitude
Thank a Resident and Fellow Day presents an opportunity to express appreciation for physician trainees but also highlights something deeper: a culture built on meaningful relationships and the belief that tomorrow’s care rests with today’s learners.
“We deeply value our residents and fellows,” says Dr. Greer. “Their dedication to curiosity, compassion for patients and commitment to excellence make a difference in people’s lives every day. We are grateful not only for what they do today, but for the future they are helping shape.”
Are you interested in training in physician residency or fellowship programs at Sutter Health? Visit sutterhealth.org/education/gme to learn more.
