Mega Doctor News
Trained to diagnose challenging medical issues, coordinate comprehensive treatment plans and emphasize prevention, internal medicine physicians are uniquely positioned to improve health outcomes across the lifespan.
Unfortunately, fewer physicians are choosing internal medicine, contributing to a nationwide shortage of specialists trained to manage complex adult health conditions. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, internal medicine residents account for just 24% of active U.S. residents, raising concerns about future access to comprehensive adult care.
In the Rio Grande Valley, where physician shortages already impact many communities, the need for well-trained internal medicine physicians is especially urgent.
To help strengthen the region’s physician workforce and expand access to care, the South Texas Health System (STHS) GME Consortium continues to advance graduate medical education opportunities throughout the Valley.
That effort recently reached another milestone with the reaccreditation of the consortium’s Internal Medicine Residency Program by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the nation’s premier accrediting organization for physician residency programs.
The designation confirms the program’s continued excellence in preparing physicians to provide high-quality, patient-centered care while addressing the evolving healthcare needs of South Texas communities.
“This reaccreditation reflects the dedication of our faculty, residents and clinical partners to maintaining the highest standards in medical education,” said Youssef Majed, MD, Designated Institutional Official and Chief Academic Officer for the STHS GME Consortium. “More importantly, it strengthens our mission to train exceptional physicians who will help improve access to quality healthcare across South Texas for years to come.”
Developed in partnership with Texas A&M University and ASAS Health, the Internal Medicine Residency Program supports 60 residents across three years of graduate medical education. Residents gain experience in a variety of clinical settings throughout STHS’ acute care facilities while also providing ongoing patient care through an Edinburg-based continuity clinic operated in collaboration with ASAS Health.
“Our goal is not only to prepare skilled physicians, but also compassionate leaders who understand the unique healthcare challenges facing South Texas and are committed to improving the lives of the patients they serve,” said Mourad Alsabbagh, MD, Program Director of the STHS GME Consortium’s Internal Medicine Residency Program.
The milestone comes as the program prepares for a historic moment. In June 2027, the Internal Medicine Residency Program will celebrate the graduation of its inaugural class before welcoming 20 new residents the following month.
The achievement follows the Family Medicine Residency Program’s successful accreditation review earlier this year and reflects the continued growth of the STHS GME Consortium.
Since launching in 2022, the STHS GME Consortium has trained 108 physicians through its residency programs in internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery and transitional year medicine, including the first 13 transitional year residents who completed the program in June 2026.
The Internal Medicine Residency Program provides extensive hands-on training through rotations at STHSMcAllen, STHS Edinburg, STHS Children’s and STHS Heart. Residents work alongside experienced physicians and multidisciplinary care teams while caring for patients with a wide range of medical conditions.
The program is one component of the STHS GME Consortium’s broader strategy to expand graduate medical education opportunities throughout the region. By 2028, the consortium plans to establish 12 residency programs and nine fellowship programs, with the long-term goal of training between 200 and 300 physicians annually.
“Every residency program we develop strengthens our ability to attract exceptional talent, advance clinical excellence and expand access to care for Valley communities for years to come,” said Majed.
Healthcare leaders say the impact extends far beyond physician training.
“Investing in residency education is an investment in the future health of our region,” said Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “By providing physicians with opportunities to complete their residency education in the Valley, we create meaningful connections to the community while helping ensure patients have greater access to high-quality care close to home.”
For STHS leadership, the reaccreditation reflects years of planning, collaboration and commitment to expanding healthcare access across South Texas.
“The Valley deserves a robust pipeline of skilled physicians who understand the needs of this community,” said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s. “Through our graduate medical education programs, we are helping cultivate a new generation of healthcare leaders who can make a lasting impact in one of the nation’s most medically underserved regions.”
To learn more about the STHS GME Consortium and its residency programs, visit southtexashealthsystem.com/gme-consortium.
