Dr. Robert Battisti has been working to establish the first internal medicine residency practice at Mercy Health — Fairfield Hospital for the past two years. His work is paying off, thanks to donor support.

Residency training occurs between medical school graduation and independent practice for physicians. Soon, the outpatient clinic will welcome its first class of 12 new primary care physicians. Dr. Battisti expects a dozen more physicians to join the practice each year for the next three years.

“Our internal medicine residency is for the community,” Dr. Battisti says. “In our clinic, we see everyone regardless of status. We are creating greater access to health care. That’s important in this area, especially for those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged.”

Dr. Battisti says the program is an investment in the secure future of health care in Cincinnati.

“Many graduates from residency training programs tend to stay local to the place where they did their training,” he says. “There is a need for primary care providers throughout this region. We also need internal medicine subspecialists and hospitalists. Our program is designed to put our residents into all three of those fields.”

Dr. Battisti is grateful that donor support for the program is helping to ensure its success.

“Thank you,” he says. “Your support is instrumental to everything we do. Your giving allows us to have this residency program. Your donations are an asset to the community through the care that we are able to provide.”