Thousand Oaks residents now have a larger pool of future physicians to serve the community as Los Robles Regional Medical Center announced the addition of 55 new doctors-in‑training this July. The hospital’s graduate medical education program, now in its fifth year, has grown to a record 155 residents across eight specialties, including anesthesiology, surgery, cardiovascular disease, internal medicine and emergency medicine.
Local doctors‑in‑training
Among the newcomers is Shanti Kapara, a recent graduate of Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados. Kapara, a native of Torrance, chose Los Robles for its supportive environment and the chance to train close to home. “I had such a positive interview day experience at Los Robles,” she said, noting the faculty and senior residents made a strong impression.
The program, launched in 2021 with just 20 residents, now offers a full three‑year curriculum that prepares physicians for a variety of career paths. Hospital officials hope that many will remain in the Ventura County area after completing their training, a trend supported by research showing doctors often practice where they finish residency.
High‑tech simulation center
Residents at Los Robles benefit from a cutting‑edge simulation center that mimics real‑world clinical scenarios. The facility includes three rooms equipped with advanced mannequins, a cardiac ultrasound simulator, a colonoscopy simulator, and a da Vinci Surgical System for robotic surgery practice. One room features a birthing mannequin, while another houses a full‑body mannequin capable of sweating, crying and bleeding, with vital signs displayed on a connected monitor.
Blake Hamilton, director of simulation for HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education, described the technology as “like a video game” that builds confidence and proficiency. After each simulation, residents receive a score and detailed feedback to improve performance. The lab is available 24/7, allowing trainees to practice whenever needed.
Impact on local health care
The expanded residency program addresses California’s broader physician shortage, a concern highlighted by long wait times for appointments and crowded waiting rooms. By training more doctors locally, Los Robles aims to increase the supply of qualified physicians in the region and improve patient safety through repeated, supervised practice.
Hospital leadership emphasized that the ultimate goal is patient safety and community health. “Our goal for this training program is patient safety,” Hamilton said. “It also provides the residents a way to come in and practice every day; they have 24/7 access to this lab.”
Looking ahead
As the program continues to grow, Los Robles hopes to retain more graduates in the Thousand Oaks and Ventura County area, strengthening the local health‑care workforce for years to come. “Medicine is a journey, not so much the destination,” Kapara reflected, adding that daily repetition and learning from each patient are key to becoming a better physician.
Original reporting: Thousand Oaks Acorn — read the source article.
