Norwegian American Hospital (NAH) announced that their Family Medicine Residency Program has received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). ACGME is the private, nonprofit council that evaluates and accredits residency programs in the United States. The initial accreditation clears the way for NAH to begin reaching out to graduating medical students interested in enrolling in the program in the summer of 2017. “This new Family Medicine Residency Program is a significant part of Norwegian American Hospital’s commitment to producing future physicians for Humboldt Park and our surrounding service areas,” said José R. Sánchez, NAH president and CEO. “Numerous studies have shown that most physicians end up practicing near where they completed residency or fellowship training. We are honored to be engaged in the development of the next generation of physicians.” During their training at Norwegian American Hospital, residents will gain exposure and training in all aspects of ambulatory and inpatient medicine. Upon completing their residency, the physicians can apply for board certification and become licensed to practice independently as family medicine physicians. “With a looming shortage of an estimated 25 thousand primary care physicians in the US by 2025, we believe that there’s a better way to meet the need for family medicine physicians particularly within the underserved community through this strategic partnership. Proving success here at NAHFMR means that we will be a model for the future of graduate medical education across the nation,” said Dr. David Berdy, chief hospitalist, Norwegian American Hospital.