Eight residents of local rural family physician program welcome babies

Eight of sixteen residents of the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency welcomed babies. (Left to Right) Andrea Vierthaler, MD, Jack Harrigan, MD, Sara Teague, DO, Landon Younger, DO, Nate Clennan, MD, Kyle McGatlin, MD, Josiah McAllister, MD and Orion Battaglia, MD - Christy K Photography, photo — Eight of sixteen residents of the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency welcomed babies. (Left to Right) Andrea Vierthaler, MD, Jack Harrigan, MD, Sara Teague, DO, Landon Younger, DO, Nate Clennan, MD, Kyle McGatlin, MD, Josiah McAllister, MD and Orion Battaglia, MD - Christy K Photography, photo

By: NICOLAS FIERRO

Salina Post

A community-based training program preparing upcoming physicians for rural family medicine practice celebrated 8 residents welcoming 8 babies.

On Monday, the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency celebrated graduates of the 2026 class. Eight of the sixteen residents welcomed babies.

The Family Medicine Residency Program is dedicated to training physicians to provide comprehensive, high-quality care in rural Kansas. The goal is to prepare residents to become confident, compassionate family physicians who are equipped to serve communities with a wide range of healthcare needs.

Residency Support Specialist Taylor Cox told Salina Post one of the greatest strengths of their residency program is that it takes a community to train a family physician.

"Residents learn not only from our faculty, but also from physicians, nurses, specialists, and healthcare teams throughout Salina," said Cox. "Through these experiences, residents walk away with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to practice the full scope of family medicine. They are prepared to care for patients in the clinic, hospital, emergency department, nursing home, and labor and delivery, serving individuals through every stage of life—from newborns to older adults and end-of-life care. Just as importantly, they walk away with a deep appreciation for rural medicine and the relationships that make caring for a community so rewarding."

Cox said many residents have shared that one of the most rewarding parts of the program is working in the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) setting.

"This provides a unique perspective on caring for underserved patients and introduces them to the many community resources available to support patients beyond the exam room. They also value the trusting relationships they build with faculty, attendings, and staff, creating a supportive learning environment that continues throughout their training."

A Facebook post from the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency said the "class of 2050 might already be on its way."

For more information about Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency, click here.