Three new physicians have joined the Three Sisters Rural Track Program in Madras, bringing fresh energy to an initiative aimed squarely at one of Jefferson County's most persistent challenges: access to quality primary care in a rural setting.

Drs. Nathaniel Cheney, Jolene Gremel, and Patrick Roach arrived in Madras this week after completing their first year of training in Portland. Together, they are expected to provide care for up to 1,200 patients annually across Jefferson County primary care clinics and at St. Charles Madras.

Oregon's First Graduate Medical Education Program in Central Oregon

Sponsored by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the Three Sisters Rural Track Program is the first graduate medical education program based in Central Oregon. Residents rotate through local hospitals and with area specialists, gaining experience in family medicine, emergency medicine, behavioral health, family birthing, and hospital medicine.

Notably, the program also includes rotations at the Indian Health Service's Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center — connecting residents directly to the healthcare needs of the tribal community.

Meet the New Residents

  • Dr. Nathaniel Cheney — A Bend native who attended Walla Walla University and Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He will serve patients at St. Charles Family Care in Madras.
  • Dr. Patrick Roach — A graduate of California State University, Chico and Touro University California. He will also serve at St. Charles Family Care.
  • Dr. Jolene Gremel — A Baylor University and OHSU graduate. She joins Mosaic's Madras Health Center.

Dr. Katie Snyder, clinical medical director for Mosaic's Madras Health Center and a residency teaching physician, welcomed the addition. "The residency program significantly increases access to excellent and comprehensive primary care for local residents, and we are proud to be a part of it," she said.

Building the Pipeline

The three new residents join two existing residents currently in their final year of training in Madras. Dr. Jinnell Lewis, the Rural Track Program director and St. Charles family doctor, said the growth is a sign of things to come.

"It is thrilling to see the residency program taking off and helping serve our community now and into the future," Lewis said.

Rural Track Programs nationwide have shown that physicians who train in rural settings are significantly more likely to establish their practices in those same communities — a long-term investment in Jefferson County's healthcare foundation.