Empowering Physicians, Strengthening Community Health
On June 27, 2026, Clinica Sierra Vista proudly hosted the 12th Annual Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program Graduation, celebrating a new class of dedicated physicians and fellows prepared to serve communities throughout California’s Central Valley.
An Evening to Remember
On June 27, we proudly celebrated the 2026 graduating class of our Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program. Nine outstanding physicians, Drs. Stephanie Garcia, Leopoldo Hartmann Manrique, Lovedip Kooner, Ejodakeme Okojie, Michael Ozoemena, Ranbir Sandhu, Yvette Singh, Zheng Song, and fellows Isabelo Bustamante and Abel Rojas, joined a growing legacy of leaders advancing health equity and improving access to care across Kern County.
Now in its 12th year (10th graduating class), Rio Bravo is more than a residency training program. It is a vital part of our region’s healthcare system. Over the last academic year, our residents completed thousands of patient visits and contributed tens of thousands of clinical hours in service to our community. These accomplishments reflect the commitment and leadership of Program Director Dr. Carol Stewart, our faculty, and the dedicated support of our administrative and clinical teams.
Looking Forward
As the Class of 2026 embarks on the next chapter of their careers, their readiness to carry forward Rio Bravo’s legacy of compassionate, community-centered family medicine was unmistakable. At the same time, we are excited to welcome ten new residents to the Class of 2026-2029: Drs. Nathan Bui, Cameron Carlisle, Francisco Fernandez Rodriguez, Yen Granat, Snimer Kaur Sidhu, Ashna Kapur, Oghenemaro Oghotuoma, Shahzeb Shaheen, Maria Viteri, and Florence West. We look forward to supporting their growth as physicians and leaders as they begin their journey of serving patients and communities across Kern County.
About Our Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program
Rio Bravo is a three-year, ACGME-accredited Family Medicine residency, offering eight residency positions each year (PGY1 through PGY3). The program is sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, affiliated with UCLA, and based at East Niles Community Health Center—a Federally Qualified Health Center in Bakersfield.
Commitment to Underserved Communities
Graduates of Rio Bravo are dedicated to addressing health disparities and delivering high-quality care to underserved, rural, and agricultural populations across the San Joaquin Valley. The program’s mission emphasizes retention of culturally competent, community-minded physicians committed to equity and accessibility.
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