Today@Sam Article
SHSU-COM Partners with OakBend Medical Center to Launch New Family Medicine Residency in Richmond
Aug. 25, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Campbell Atkins
By Brittany Foreman
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM), in collaboration with OakBend Medical Center, proudly announces the launch of a new family medicine residency program in Richmond, Texas. The Sam Houston Regional Education Consortium (SHREC) OakBend Family Medicine Residency Program is supported by SHSU-COM and OakBend as part of a broader mission to expand access to primary care across Texas.
“This residency is a natural extension of SHSU-COM’s mission,” said SHSU-COM Dean Thomas J. Mohr, D.O. “We are committed to building programs that help increase the number of physicians serving in Texas. This collaboration with OakBend Medical Center is an important step toward that goal.”
The program has received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and its first class of residents began training on August 1. The program will follow a 4-4-4 structure and grow to full capacity with 12 residents across three years.
Residency programs are vital to the long-term health of a community. Physicians often plant roots during their residency years, and many choose to stay and serve in the area they trained. By bringing new graduate medical education programs to Richmond, SHSU-COM and OakBend are creating direct, lasting pathways to improved access to care for residents in the region.
Led by program director, Tracy Stammann, D.O., the residency will train physicians at OakBend and affiliated clinics in the Richmond area. Residents will gain comprehensive experience across both inpatient and outpatient settings. The hospital and clinics are located near one another, allowing for a consistent, community-centered training environment.
“This program is designed to grow well-rounded, compassionate physicians who are committed to the people and neighborhoods they serve,” said Dr. Stammann. “We are excited to welcome our first class and begin building something truly meaningful here in Richmond.”
Members of the inaugural class include:
- Victor Dominguez, M.D.
- Juan Sanchez Hernandez, D.O.
- Faizaan-Ul Haque, M.D.
- Jeenesh Shrestha, M.D.
“Partnering with SHSU-COM to launch this residency program allows us to invest in the future of family medicine and strengthen the care for the communities we serve," said OakBend CEO Joe Freudenberger. "We look forward to supporting these new physicians as they grow in their careers and care for our patients."
While the program was initially awarded federal grant funding, timing constraints and uncertainties around disbursement prevented a July 1 start. As a result, this program will be jointly funded by SHSU-COM and OakBend Medical Center, reflecting both institutions’ commitment to advancing primary care in Texas communities.
The program will participate in the National Resident Matching Program beginning with the 2026 Match cycle. It is one of several initiatives supported by the SHREC, which serves as the program’s ACGME-accredited institutional sponsor.
Housed within SHSU-COM, SHREC was established in 2023 to support the development and operation of medical residency and fellowship programs in East Texas. Its mission is to increase training opportunities for physicians while strengthening healthcare access in rural and medically underserved areas.
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