March 17,
2025By Physicians for a Healthy California CalMedForce
Victoria Catanio (center), Program Director of CalMedForce, presented the awards to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium, UC Riverside/St. Bernardine, Prime West Consortium, Kaiser Permanente Fontana, and St. Mary Medical Center Apple Valley.
Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) is investing in the future of health care in San Bernardino County by awarding $2.5 million through the CalMedForce graduate medical education (GME) program. These funds will support 19 new residency positions across six GME programs.
Announced at the San Bernardino County Medical Society’s Annual High Desert Meeting, these awards reinforce PHC’s mission to expand and strengthen California’s physician workforce, particularly in medically underserved areas.
The event also featured a keynote address from René Bravo, M.D., president-elect of the California Medical Association, who discussed upcoming health care challenges, federal policy risks and opportunities through Proposition 35.
"PHC is doing critical work in supporting medical education, especially in underserved regions," said Dr. Bravo. "These grants express our deep belief in making sure patients have access to good, modern health care."
As California faces a growing physician shortage, PHC’s commitment to funding residency programs is a critical step in ensuring access to care for vulnerable communities. These awards not only support the training of new physicians, but also help shape the future of health care in the region and across the state.
About CalMedForce
The CalMedForce program, in partnership with the University of California, funds residency positions at GME programs throughout California. The program—made possible by the Prop 56 tobacco tax—addresses the state’s physician shortage, particularly in underserved communities where patients often lack access to timely, high quality health care.
To date, CalMedForce has awarded more than $255 million to fund 1,366 resident positions across 32 California counties. Learn more at calmedforce.org.