The Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program is celebrating 75 years of training physicians.
As one of the oldest and largest family medicine residency programs in the nation, it continues to play a pivotal role in addressing primary care needs across Contra Costa County and beyond.
What began in the early 1950s as a general practice training initiative has evolved substantially over time. In 1975, the program formally reoriented into one of the country’s earliest family medicine residencies, broadening its scope to equip physicians to care across all ages and stages of life.
Today, it is a three-year, nationally recognized program that draws intense competition: about 800 applicants vie for just 13 residency slots annually. The program remains deeply grounded in its founding mission of meeting community needs, especially among underserved populations.
Under the leadership of Dr. Leah Romito, a program graduate and current director, the residency emphasizes a blend of clinical versatility and compassionate service.
“We train physicians who heal with compassion, prioritize care for the underserved, exemplify the true meaning of full spectrum family medicine, and do common things uncommonly well,” Dr. Romito said.
Residents rotate through an expansive clinical curriculum that includes emergency medicine, intensive care, obstetrics, and outpatient primary care. The program also sponsors a global health fellowship, sending residents to train health workers in other countries and Indian Health Service sites.
Many graduates stay and practice locally. It’s estimated that one in every 13 Contra Costa residents has a primary care provider who trained in this program.
The residency is embedded in Contra Costa Health. Training occurs at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and across nine outpatient health centers.
The program is affiliated with UCSF through the UCSF Family Medicine Educational Alliance, and is also nationally recognized, ranked among the top family medicine residencies by Doximity.
Earlier this month, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors passed a resolution commemorating the program’s 75 years and recognizing its vital role in community health.
The program also hosted a reunion celebration at the Contra Costa Country Club, drawing over 200 alumni from around the country alongside current residents.
“Celebrating this milestone is not just about looking back at our history — it’s about looking forward,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, CEO of Contra Costa Health. “The next generation of family doctors will face new challenges, and we are dedicated to preparing them with the skills, compassion and resourcefulness they need to lead the way in community health.”
