Auburn Family Medicine Residency – Rural Track
Welcome to the Auburn Family Medicine Residency – Rural Track Program, a collaborative initiative between Auburn Community Hospital and SUNY Upstate’s Department of Family Medicine. Our goal is to train the next generation of family medicine physicians who are committed to providing high-quality, innovative, and patient-centered healthcare in rural settings. Through this program, we aim to improve health equity in Central New York by equipping our residents with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the unique healthcare needs of rural communities.
Our Mission
The mission of SUNY Upstate’s and Auburn Community Hospital’s Rural Track Residency Program is to train exemplary family medicine physicians who will not only provide outstanding care to their patients but also foster a culture of academic inquiry, research, and scholarship in a rural setting.
Our Vision
SUNY Upstate and Auburn Community Hospital are partnering to train community physicians who will deliver high-quality, compassionate, and patient-centered healthcare in a team-based environment. This program aims to promote healthy living and a welcoming, supportive, and respectful environment for all. Our vision also includes increasing the number of primary care physicians in Central New York to support health equity in rural settings with a strong emphasis on the biopsychosocial model of care.
Where Academic Excellence Meets Rural Care
Our Faculty Leaders
Auburn Family Medicine Residency is led by a dedicated team of skilled physicians from both Upstate Medical University and Auburn Community Hospital
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R. Eugene Bailey, MD, FAAFP
Residency Program Director, SUNY Upstate R. Eugene Bailey, MD, FAAFP is an Associate Professor and Board-certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Bailey practices full scope family medicine including obstetrics and sees patients at our Community Campus site. Dr. Bailey has clinical interests in family-centered maternity care, travels to Central America yearly for global health, is Team Physician for the Syracuse Crunch, AHL affiliate to the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning and has a special interest in evidence-based medicine. Dr. Bailey is currently the Program Director for the Family Medicine residency program and precepts both residents and medical students. He is guest lecturer for the LeMoyne Physician Assistant program, Advisory faculty for ALSO (Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics), and adjunct faculty for the MCEF (Medical Care for the Entire Family) program, Keiju Medical Center, Nanao, Japan. Dr. Bailey graduated medical school from Upstate Medical University and did his residency at University of Rochester Family Medicine Residency program, Rochester, New York. |
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Sultan Ripon, MD
Assistant Professor Site Director, Family Medicine Residency Program Rural Track, Auburn Community Hospital. |
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Mary Powers, MD
Assistant Program Director, SUNY Upstate Dr. Powers is an Assistant Professor and Board Certified in Family Medicine. She cares for patients of all ages in the outpatient setting at our Community Campus site and additionally cares for hospitalized adults at the Community Campus site. She has particular interests in women’s health and patient-centered chronic disease management and wellness promotion. She supports our Rural Training Track for Family Medicine residents and precepts medical students and residents.Dr. Powers graduated from SUNY Upstate Medical University and completed her residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY. |
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Lyndsay Christensen, MD
Attending Physician Dr. Christensen is a family medicine practitioner at Auburn Primary Care. She was a resident in Family Medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, NY, and board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine in spring 2023. Dr. Christensen received her Doctor of Medicine degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 2020 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with the highest distinction from Indiana University School of Science. |
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Alexander Langley, MD
Attending Physician Dr. Langley is a family medicine practitioner at Auburn Internal Medicine & Pediatrics. Dr. Langley is from St. Joseph’s Hospital Primary Care Center in Syracuse N.Y. He received a master’s degree in biomedical science and public health concentrating in health services management, and health policy at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Langley earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Family Medicine from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Dr. Langley completed his three‐year residency in family medicine at Swedish First Hill Hospital in the Seattle Washington area. Dr. Langley practiced at the Federally Qualified Health Clinic in Moravia and Cortland N.Y. Most recently he practiced at the St. Joseph’s Health Westside Primary Clinic. He is a member of the American Association of Family Physicians and the New York State Association of Family Physicians. |
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Sara Zafar, MD
Attending Physician Dr. Sara Zafar is a board certified family physician in Auburn, New York. She is currently licensed to practice medicine in New York, Minnesota, and Illinois. She is affiliated with Auburn Community Hospital. |
Current Auburn Family Medicine Residents
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PGY 2 Resident Dr. Brown-Veira received her medical degree from the American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Antigua. She graduated (Cum Laude) from Prairie View A & M University in Prairie View, Texas. She started her Family Medicine Residency at SUNY Upstate in June of 2023 and has also practiced at Flatbush Family Practice in Brooklyn, New York. Her focus is on rural and preventive family medicine as well as global health. |
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Hafiz Haseeb, MBBS
PGY 2 Resident Dr. Haseeb received his medical degree from King Edward Medical University in Lahore, Punjab and has received training at the Mayo Hospital in Lahore and Sheikh Zayed Hospital. Dr. Haseeb started his family medicine residency at SUNY Upstate in June of 2023. He is dedicated to providing holistic and inclusive care to patients of all ages and diverse backgrounds. His goal is to build strong patient relationships and address a wide range of medical needs, promoting health and well-being in the Auburn Community. |
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Syed Ali, MBBS
PGY 1 Resident Dr. Ali received his medical degree from University of Karachi. His specialty is Family Practicie medicine. He has experience in a variety of clinical settings, urban and rural, in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, California, Virginia, and now, New York. He began his Family Medicine Residency at SUNY Upstate in June Primary Location: Auburn Family Medicine Education: Karachi Medical, Dental College Residency: Family Medicine Residency at SUNY Upstate |
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Hasanul Chowdhury, MBBS
PGY 1 Resident I am a dedicated Family Medicine Resident with a diverse background and a passion for medicine, focused on delivering comprehensive, evidence-based care across diverse patient populations. Committed to preventive care and patient education, I thrive in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams to provide personalized, holistic treatment. My goal is to enhance community health by building strong patient relationships and pursuing continuous professional growth. Primary Location: Auburn Family Medicine Education: Cumilla Medical College, Bangladesh Residency: Family Medicine Residency at SUNY Upstate |
About The Auburn Family Medicine Residency – Rural Track
We are excited to offer a university and community-based Family Medicine Residency program run by SUNY Upstate Medical University and Auburn Community Hospital. This program combines rigorous academic education, preparing residents to serve in urban, suburban, and rural settings. Residents rotate through Auburn Family Medicine, Upstate University Hospital, and the Syracuse Veteran’s Administration Hospital.
This three-year program allows the residents to rotate through a variety of specialties including: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Geriatrics, Surgery, Sports Medicine, Women’s Health, Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Gastroenterology, Pain Medicine, Neurology and more.
At our Auburn Family Medicine practice, residents practice holistic and inclusive family medicine, including preventive family medicine, patient-centered clinical practices, community health initiatives, and education and research. Our faculty is dedicated to teaching and engaging in patient care and community health. We are always looking for individuals who are committed to clinical excellence and passionate about making a meaningful impact on our community.
For the full program curriculum, CLICK HERE.
Meet Our Team!
How To Apply
All applicants must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS). Selection of residents is determined through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Program Name: SUNY Upstate Medical University Program
Program Code: 1203500740
ERAS website for US and Canadian applicants:
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residency/applying-residencies-eras/
ECFMG-ERAS program website for foreign medical graduates:
http://www.ecfmg.org/eras/index.html
The Upstate Medical University Family Medicine Residency Program is looking for well-rounded applicants that can demonstrate a commitment not only to clinical excellence but also to scholastic inquiry, leadership and research. Applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Your application must include:
- USMLE scores
- U.S. clinical experience, if applicable
- Dean’s Letter
- Transcripts
- Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation
In addition, the following must be met.
- Graduation from medical school with continued primary care experience during any intervening years is required.
- International medical school graduate please note – we require ECFMG certification or eligibility to include passing Steps 1 and 2 CS & CK of the USMLE. This is a NRMP requirement for match participation.
- Three letters of recommendation in addition to the MSPE (Dean’s letter). Applicants with previous residency experience should include a letter from th e residency program director.
- We are able to support only J1 visas.
Each year, there are 2 rural track residency positions. We are accepting applications only for PGY1 year.
To address any questions, please contact us:
Michelle L. Tonzi, Program Coordinator, Paralegal
Phone: 315-567-0421
Fax: 315.282-1900