Olean, NY – A graduation ceremony was held on October 21 in honor of Kuldesh Ubhi, MD, and Afza Safeer, MD, two resident physicians completing the University of Buffalo’s rural 1-2 track family medicine residency program. Both residents will complete the program on November 15.

            “It is an honor and a privilege to be able to present Drs. Safeer and Ubhi with their residency completion certificates,” said Kerrie Parr, training program administrator. “We look forward to continuing to showcase our region and all we have to offer here to physicians looking for not only exceptional education opportunities, but also welcoming neighborhoods and communities in which to establish a home and career after residency graduation.”

UB’s accredited residency program in rural family medicine provides eight months of training in an urban setting followed by 28 months of rural training in Olean at Olean General Hospital, Universal Primary Care, and numerous local volunteer faculty physician offices. Two residents are accepted into the program each year who start in Buffalo and relocate to Olean. Dr. Ubhi will be remaining in the area and joining OGH as a hospitalist and Dr. Safeer will be establishing her outpatient career after relocating to Illinois with her husband.

“First, I would like to congratulate these astounding young physicians on their accomplishment. This joint venture with University at Buffalo is an advantageous method to introduce upcoming physicians to the needs and challenges for rural healthcare,” said Jill Owens, MD, president, Upper Allegheny Health System. “While providing these residents with the essential training they get acquainted with the Olean community. In the past five years, we’ve had five residents stay and practice in the local community after graduating from the program which speaks volumes to what this program and community has to offer these young providers.”

This training program is one of the oldest rural residency training programs in the country and is one of three in New York state. Over the last four years, half of the graduates have established medical practices in Olean and surrounding areas. Resident physicians work in various outpatient and hospital settings such as inpatient, ICU, ER, surgical services, radiology and obstetrics.

Caption: Physicians completed the University of Buffalo’s rural family medicine program November 15. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Kuldesh Ubhi, graduate; Dr. Afza Safeer, graduate.