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About Carol

Dr. Carol Stewart, MD, FAAFP, has led the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program at Clinica Sierra Vista since its founding in 2014. A passionate educator and full-spectrum family physician, Dr. Stewart brings decades of leadership, clinical experience, and devotion to underserved communities in the Central Valley.

She began her academic journey at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Biology. She earned her MD from Albany Medical College in 1988, graduating Cum Laude, through its combined BS–MD program. Dr. Stewart completed her Family Medicine residency at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica, NY, in 1991. She stayed on to serve as faculty and later Program Director from 1996 to 2000.

Following that, Dr. Stewart served as the Medical Director of South Central Family Health Center and as an Assistant Professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine, before joining UCLA’s Family Medicine Residency program in 2002 as core faculty. Over more than a decade, she continued to practice full-scope primary care, including obstetrics, and held the role of Associate Medical Director at Skirball Hospice.

Since joining Clinica Sierra Vista, Dr. Stewart has shaped the Rio Bravo Residency into a program recognized for excellence in patient care, education, and community impact. As a certified ALSO (Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics) instructor, she ensures that our residents are equipped for safe and compassionate birth care. She also holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hospice & Palliative Medicine.

Experience

Medical School

  • Albany Medical College – Cum Laude

Graduate School

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Summa Cum Laude

Residency

  • St. Elizabeth Hospital (Utica, NY)
    • Chief Resident, 1996–2000

Fellowship

  • National Institute of Program Director Development

Leadership Roles

  • Program Director, Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency, Clinica Sierra Vista (since 2014)
  • Core Faculty & Clinical Professor, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine (2002–Present)

Specialties & Interests

  • Full‑scope family medicine with obstetrics
  • Hospice and palliative care
  • Medical and bedside teaching
  • ALSO training (birth and emergency obstetrics)

Board Certification

  • Family Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine by The American Board of Family Medicine

Memberships

  • American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
  • ALSO Certified Instructor
  • Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hospice & Palliative Medicine

Program Objectives

  • At least 80% of interns complete program/degree requirements within 13.5 months (150% of planned program length).
  • Of graduates who seek employment, at least 100% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  • The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
  • 80% of employers, who return surveys, rate graduates as “satisfactory” or “excellent” for ability to work effectively with multicultural populations from diverse backgrounds.
  • 90% of program graduates work as entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in community nutrition.
  • 90% of graduates work in Central Valley community programs for at least two years after graduation.

Do I Qualify for WIC?

WIC is a program that helps families with food and nutrition. Call us at (661) 862-5422 or send a message, and we’ll help you see if you qualify.

Here are some ways you might qualify:

  • You are pregnant
  • You are breastfeeding a baby who is less than one year old
  • You had a baby in the last six months
  • You have a child who is under the age of five
  • You experienced a loss of pregnancy or had a termination

You also need to think about your family’s income. Here are the monthly income limits for family sizes:

  • 1 Person: $2,413
  • 2 Persons: $3,261
  • 3 Persons: $4,109
  • 4 Persons: $4,957
  • 5 Persons: $5,805
  • More than 5 Persons: Add $848 for each additional member

This income limit is based on 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, and these amounts will be effective from April 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Also, if you’re pregnant, the baby counts as part of your family size when figuring out if you qualify.

Get Care Right Away

Need care right away? Our health centers offer same-day appointments, and our walk-in clinics also offer extended hours. Whether you schedule ahead or stop by, we’re here to deliver fast, high-quality care when and where you need it.

Visit Your Preferred Location

We make it easy to choose the clinic that works best for you. Keep in mind that your preferred location may mean seeing a different provider. Either way, you’ll receive compassionate, expert care from our trusted team, no matter which clinic you visit.

See Your Preferred Provider

Our providers work across multiple clinics to make care accessible, so their location may vary based on availability. No matter where you’re seen, you can trust our dedicated team to deliver the high-quality care you deserve.