Family Medicine Residency Program Director

Thundermist's Mission: To improve the health of our patients and communities by delivering exceptional health care, removing barriers to that care, and advancing healthy lifestyles.


About Thundermist Health Center
Our Mission: To improve the health of our patients and communities by delivering exceptional health care, removing barriers to that care, and advancing healthy lifestyles. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), we are committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care to diverse populations across Rhode Island. We are now embarking on an exciting new chapter—launching an ACGME-accredited Family Medicine residency program.
About the Position
Thundermist Health Center seeks a Family Medicine physician leader to serve as the founding Program Director for our new ACGME-accredited residency program. This is a rare opportunity to build a Teaching Health Center residency program from the ground up. With resident matriculation scheduled for June 2027, the Program Director will lead all aspects of program development, accreditation preparation, curriculum design, faculty recruitment, and resident selection. This dual-role position combines visionary educational leadership with ongoing clinical practice, requiring a physician leader who is equally committed to teaching excellence and patient care in the community health center setting. The Program Director will report directly to the Chief Medical Officer and supervise four positions with dual reporting responsibilities, including two physicians, one behavioral health faculty member, and one additional faculty member. The position includes a faculty appointment with our academic affiliate.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership and Strategic Development
As the founding Program Director, you will lead and direct all aspects of the residency training program, ensuring accountability for its outcomes and compliance with ACGME accreditation standards. In the initial phase prior to resident matriculation, you will develop the program's mission and vision in collaboration with Thundermist leadership, lead competency-based curricular design, and complete the accreditation application. This foundational work also includes participating in budget formulation, assisting with the physical design of the Family Medicine practice space, engaging with our academic partner, planning resident recruitment strategies, and participating in accreditation site visits and processes. As the program matures, you will maintain ACGME accreditation, adapt to changes in healthcare delivery and medical education, and ensure the program meets the highest standards of excellence. You will collaborate with clinical partners to establish and maintain resident rotations, advocate for necessary resources, and serve as a key member of departmental and organizational leadership.
Curriculum Design and Implementation
You will develop, implement, and evaluate both the clinical and didactic curriculum, ensuring it meets ACGME competency requirements while reflecting Thundermist's commitment to community-oriented, patient-centered care. This includes:
• Designing assessment tools and conducting routine resident evaluations
• Collaborating with rotation directors across clinical sites
• Continuously evaluating and improving curricula based on outcomes and feedback
• Ensuring exceptional training in the Patient-Centered Medical Home model, health equity, and “beyond the walls” community medicine
Resident Recruitment, Education, and Mentorship
Beginning one year prior to the first resident class, you will oversee all aspects of resident recruitment and selection, including ERAS application review and the NRMP Match process. You will be instrumental in recruiting a diverse resident cohort that reflects the patient population we serve, demonstrating a commitment to health equity in action. Once residents matriculate, you will provide education, mentorship, supervision, and guidance for their professional development, directly supervising residents in clinical settings and serving as a role model for community-engaged family medicine practice. Your leadership approach should create a supportive, unified environment for residents built on empathy, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving.
Faculty Recruitment and Development
You will recruit, supervise, and mentor program faculty, ensuring their professional development and success as educators. This includes:
• Planning and supporting ongoing faculty development activities
• Fostering a culture of teaching excellence
• Building a cohesive team committed to the program's mission
• Directly supervising four positions with dual reporting responsibilities: two physicians, one behavioral health faculty member, and one additional faculty member
Clinical Practice and Patient Care
This position requires maintaining an active clinical p