Willis Knighton Health and Claiborne Memorial Medical Center have received approval for a new rural family
medicine residency program located in Claiborne Parish. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
Education (ACGME) granted accreditation earlier this month, and recruitment of the inaugural cohort of
residents has begun.
The rural family medicine residency program is the latest residency program offered by Willis Knighton
Graduate Medical Education, which also sponsors programs in internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, and oral
and maxillofacial surgery. Residents will train primarily at Claiborne Memorial Medical Center, while also
completing rotations at Willis Knighton Health for specialty and subspecialty services. By offering this training,
these organizations hope to enhance the offerings of full spectrum primary care to rural communities in
northern Louisiana.
“This program represents a pivotal step toward addressing the healthcare disparities in rural communities,”
said Samuel Abshire, MD, rural family medicine residency program director. “Claiborne Parish is the ideal
setting for this special training. We’ve built a curriculum that blends rigorous academic training with real-
world, community-based experience. Our residents will not only gain clinical expertise but also develop a deep
understanding of the unique challenges and rewards of rural practice.”
“I am delighted that our rural family medicine residency program received initial accreditation. We could not
ask for a better partner than Claiborne Memorial Medical Center, a high performing rural healthcare provider
and the cornerstone for quality healthcare in Claiborne Parish,” said Donne Aultman, MD, designated
institutional official for Willis Knighton Office of Graduate Medical Education. “Residents completing this
program will be fully prepared to practice rural family medicine anywhere in the country. We know this will help fill the need for the shortage of physicians in the specialty and are very excited to welcome our first group
of resident physicians.”
“We are proud to partner with Willis Knighton Health to bring this transformative program to Claiborne
Parish,” said Tina Haynes, CEO of Claiborne Memorial Medical Center. “Investing in the next generation of
rural physicians means investing in the long-term health of our community. This program will help ensure that
patients in our region have access to compassionate, high-quality care for years to come.”