July 14, 2025 6:25 a.m. 

Aviva Health recently welcomed its newest group of family medicine residents.

The sixth cohort of eight newly graduated doctors is now beginning their three-year clinical training journey in Douglas County.

An Aviva release said since 2020, the family medicine residency program – a partnership between Aviva Health and CHI Mercy Health Mercy Medical Center – has trained compassionate, skilled physicians in a community-focused setting, preparing them to meet the unique healthcare needs of rural and underserved populations.

The primary goal is to address a physician shortage that has long plagued rural regions of Oregon like Douglas County by recruiting graduating residents that put down roots in underserved areas, ultimately improving access to vital clinical care that historically has been difficult to receive.

Aviva Health CEO KC Bolton said, “Over the past five years, we’ve been pretty successful at keeping our residency grads local”. Bolton said, “Just this year, four of them decided to stay in Oregon – two right here in Douglas County. One will practice at Mercy Medical Center and the other will join us at Aviva Health”.

The release said a key focus during residents’ three-year training in Douglas County is fostering a strong connection to the community by highlighting the region as an ideal place to raise a family, enjoy outdoor recreation and take part in the area’s distinctive festivals, events and attractions.

For more information on Aviva Health and its family residency program, go to https://aviva.health/