PORT ANGELES – A second round of young doctors has started a residency program in Port Angeles aimed at training general practitioners for rural areas.

The Rural Training Track Family Medicine Residency is a partnership between North Olympic Healthcare Network, Olympic Medical Center and Swedish Hospital.

Dr. Rob Epstein is the local coordinator. He says a few weeks ago, another pair of trainees arrived.

Epstein says the program could help fill much-needed doctor spots in our area, especially if the residents decide they may want to stay where they did their final training….

The residency is a three-year program. The first year is spent with Swedish in Seattle. The final two years are in the Port Angeles area working at the NOHN clinic and through Olympic Medical Center.