Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program celebrates 50 years of training physicians

In 1975, the Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program opened its doors in downtown Duluth and ushered in a new era of training physicians to provide health care in rural communities. Since then, 425 graduating clinicians have been prepared specifically to practice in small towns, which face a shortage of providers and thus reduced access to quality health care.

“As we celebrate 50 years of the Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program, we are incredibly proud of the legacy we’ve built — one grounded in service, excellence and innovation,” said Dr. Caryn Gerber, program director. “For five decades, we’ve trained brilliant, compassionate physicians who are uniquely prepared to meet the challenges of rural and underserved communities. Their impact is felt across Minnesota and beyond, and it’s a testament to the power of intentional, community-focused medical education.”

One of those program graduates is Dr. Kelsey Redland-Kladivo, a family medicine physician with obstetrics at Essentia Health-Virginia. She was hired as a resident in 2013 and worked in that role at the affiliated Duluth Family Medicine Clinic (DFMC) until 2013. Dr. Redland-Kladivo eventually completed her rural obstetrics fellowship and started practicing full-spectrum family medicine and OB care at various Essentia facilities before settling in at Essentia Health-Virginia in 2019.

“During medical school, I was really interested in pediatrics, obstetrics and women’s health,” explained Dr. Redland-Kladivo. “I had a hard time deciding between OB/GYN and pediatrics. I found that doing OB with family medicine allowed me to do both of these things. It also allowed me to continue to take care of the rest of the family and take care of my patients across the lifespan.”

Through the Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program, residents are trained to practice in rural, underserved areas. While the focus is on our region, some residents who have graduated are practicing in far-flung places like Alaska and Tanzania. More than 70% of graduating physicians from the past three years practice in Minnesota including Dr. Redland-Kladivo.

“My experience at the DFMC was fantastic,” she said. “I had a close-knit residency group, and we are all very passionate about rural health care and family medicine. Most of us are now practicing in rural communities.”  

The Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program is a partnership among the University of Minnesota Medical School, Essentia and Aspirus St. Luke’s. Essentia employs all faculty, residents and staff, oversees the program and designs the curriculum.

“It was a very fun way to do my medical training,” said Dr. Redland-Kladivo. “I also received extensive training in high-risk obstetrics, which allows me to fill a void not only in primary care, but also in women’s health, where OB/GYN’s resources are scarce.”

The goal is to give residents extensive training so they are ready for anything that comes their way.

“It was a very fun way to do a very intense time of medical training, but I also felt like it prepared me for most of what I do now,” she said.

Essentia is a leader in rural health care and recognizes the need to empower providers with essential resources to thrive in remote communities. Just 10% of U.S. physicians serve rural areas, where residents are often older, face more severe health challenges and have a higher prevalence of chronic conditions. Initiatives like the Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program are addressing this critical shortage.

“I think there is a strong sense of community in rural settings,” said Dr. Redland-Kladivo. “Everyone is trying to take care of everyone. It is also fun to see your patients in different settings. For example, my children often attend the same classes as some of my patients, and we see them for playdates at the park, date nights at restaurants and I even see friends of mine as patients.”

The program prides itself on delivering an excellent academic experience. In 2024, the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) evaluated nearly 800 family medicine residencies nationwide. Of the 685 that had five years of data to include in the report, only 11 programs fared better on the ABFM’s performance report, placing the Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program in the top 2% nationally.

“We’re proud of our history, but also looking ahead with great excitement to the next 50 years,” said  Dr. Gerber. “The need for skilled, compassionate care in rural and underserved areas remains as critical as ever, and we’re committed to evolving our program to meet that challenge. With each new class of residents, we’re not just shaping doctors — we’re shaping the future of rural health care.”