Teaching creates a culture of curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement..That commitment to lifelong learning benefits both our healthcare professionals and our patients.
Estevan Garcia, MD, DrPH, MPA, FAAP, President & CEO, SVMCSouthwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is embarking on a new chapter under the leadership of President & CEO Estevan Garcia, MD, DrPH, MPA FAAP.
This summer, SVMC launched a capital campaign to build out a Dartmouth Health Family Medicine Residency in downtown Bennington. The Bennington Banner also recently covered SVMC’s plans to become a teaching center. The residency, which is expected to welcome its first cohort of physicians in 2029, will be the anchor tenant in Phase 2 of the downtown Putnam Block project.
Below, Estevan answers some common questions around what it means to be a teaching center and how residency programs benefit patients in our region.
Q: What is a community teaching hospital?
Estevan: A community teaching hospital combines the personalized care of a local hospital with the educational mission of training the next generation of physicians and other healthcare professionals. This is not an entirely new model at SVMC, as our Nurse Residency is very active and received national accreditation and recognition for excellence. Additionally, we currently train nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistant (PA) medical students and some residents. But this training is sporadic and occasional. We are seeking to strengthen and expand these learning opportunities through a Family Medicine Residency, in close collaboration with Dartmouth Health.
We’ll also be exploring additional ways to offer collaborative training opportunities for other clinicians.
Q: Does being a teaching center mean I'll be treated by a student instead of a doctor?
Estevan: We will have students across the organization and patients may be initially seen by a student, but all patients will be supervised by a fully trained physician.
When the residency program launches, every patient will be under the care of an experienced, licensed attending physician who is ultimately responsible for all medical decisions.
Residents are physicians who have graduated from medical school and are completing advanced training in their chosen specialty. Residents are important members of the care team, but they work under close supervision. Their involvement adds another layer of thoughtful discussion and collaboration to patient care.
Q: Why is this program a priority for SVMC?
Estevan: SVMC’s decision to launch a Family Medicine Residency is addressing a strategic need in our community, due to the national shortage of primary care physicians. As we know, reliable primary care is vital to long-term health and disease prevention.
While we continue to recruit experienced providers, this program will attract six resident physicians here each year, for a three-year program. This will improve patient access to care in short-term and long-term ways. It also attracts experienced physicians who have a passion for teaching.
Q: Will care take longer because learners are involved?
Estevan: While there may occasionally be additional conversations or explanations as part of the educational process, the priority is providing efficient, compassionate care. Many patients appreciate the extra attention they receive from a care team that includes attending physicians, residents, nurses, and other healthcare professionals working together.
Q: How will I know if students or residents are involved in my care?
Estevan: If residents are participating in your care, they will introduce themselves, explain their role, and your comfort and privacy will always be respected. We encourage patients to ask questions and let us know if they have any concerns.
If you agree to work with a student or resident, you play an important role in the learning process. Your input and experience help shape future physicians and care provided in this region.
Q: Are teaching hospitals and programs safe?
Estevan: Absolutely. Patient safety is our highest priority. Teaching programs follow the same rigorous quality and safety standards as other hospitals and medical practices, and every learner is supervised according to established guidelines.
These programs must meet strict guidelines through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and will be part of Dartmouth Health’s rigorous GME programming.
In many cases, having multiple clinicians reviewing a patient's care adds valuable perspectives and reinforces our commitment to safety and quality.
Q: How does teaching improve patient care?
Estevan: Teaching creates a culture of curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement. Physicians stay engaged with the latest research, clinical guidelines, and best practices because education is part of our daily work. That commitment to lifelong learning benefits both our healthcare professionals and our patients.
Q: Why is it important for our community to have a teaching hospital and programming?
Estevan: Community teaching programs strengthen local healthcare by educating future physicians and healthcare providers and by attracting talented clinicians who have a desire to teach. Nearly 60% of residents choose to continue practicing in the communities where they train, helping address physician shortages and ensuring our region has access to high-quality healthcare for years to come.
Q: What message would you like our community to know about being a teaching hospital?
Estevan: Working toward this long-term goal of becoming a community teaching hospital reflects our commitment to excellence—not only for today's patients, but for future generations. As our plans move forward to launch our Residency by 2029, I look forward to hosting community forums to answer questions and share more details about this exciting programming.