We have a long and successful history of helping patients and doctors grow through our family medicine residency programs. The first Family Medicine residents began training at WellSpan York Hospital in 1968, one year before Family Medicine was officially recognized as a specialty. Our program has graduated 367 family doctors, with 13 winning the prestigious Excellence in Graduate Medical Education award from the American Academy of Family Physicians.
The clinic-first model, with several longitudinal rotations and protected time with behavioral science faculty, ensures that residents receive a comprehensive and well-rounded education. The highly sought-after global health track offers unique opportunities for residents to gain international experience, further enriching their training.
Similarly, the Family Medicine Residency program at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon has made significant contributions to patient care and physician development. Residents at Good Samaritan Hospital are the only residents in the hospital, allowing them to take ownership of patient care in their own clinic and during rotations in various subspecialties. The program emphasizes full-spectrum traditional Family Medicine and employs a Continuity Clinic Centered (C3) model of scheduling, which fosters team-based care. The friendly environment, many resources and chances to research and grow in school make residents well-prepared for their future careers.
Introducing the New Family Medicine Residency Program at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital
Building on the success and legacy of the existing programs, we’re proud to introduce a new Family Medicine Residency program at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital. This program is designed to provide high-quality, evidence-based training in a supportive and respectful educational environment. Key features include accreditation by the ACGME, collaboration with Keystone Health FQHC as an additional training site and a newly renovated Family Medicine residency center.
“WellSpan's fantastic physician recruiter Cris Williams
found me on LinkedIn and recognized I might be a good fit for the program director position for the new WellSpan Family Medicine residency at Chambersburg. After speaking with her, I researched WellSpan and liked what I found: a growing hospital system who values high-quality, innovative medical care delivered locally by well-established community hospitals, and a track record of strong support of graduate medical education.”
A Bright Future for Family Medicine
Our commitment to Family Medicine residencies is a testament to our dedication to improving patient care and developing the next generation of health care leaders. The new program at Chambersburg Hospital is a natural extension of this commitment. It’ll ensure the hospital’s history of excellence continues to grow and serve the communities we are lucky to care for.
What Sets Us Apart?
What sets us apart is our commitment to not just clinical excellence but to cultivating a strong culture of mentorship, well-being and collaboration.
We recognize that residency isn’t only about sharpening medical skills but also about developing as a leader, communicator and an all-around good person. Our collaboration with Keystone Health will provide residents with real-world experiences and opportunities to serve at-risk populations.
A Special Team
The team we’ve assembled is truly exceptional because we all come from different backgrounds, each bringing something unique to the table. What unites us is our shared vision for the program and our commitment to working together to achieve it. We’ve put a lot of thought into building a team that complements our strengths — we're all united by a common purpose. It’s not just about individuals — it’s about how we support and strengthen each other to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
“We are thrilled to be launching this new residency program at Chambersburg Hospital. It’s a significant step in our ongoing mission to enhance primary care in our communities and to train the next generation of family physicians who are well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of our patients.”
Preparing for Incoming Residents
We’ve been very careful about preparing for the first group of residents at Chambersburg Hospital. We’ve created a curriculum that fits both the ACGME Family Medicine guidelines, personal topics that we love, and the needs of our community. We’ve made progress to ensure a focus on a robust support system, from faculty and staff development to resident well-being.
By being part of a larger, well-established network of graduate medical education, the new program at Chambersburg Hospital ensures a rich and diverse educational environment, affiliated with over 150 residents and fellows at WellSpan York Hospital and 21 residents at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital. This new program is poised to address the community’s primary care physician deficit and prepare residents for a successful transition to becoming board-certified family physicians.
Meet the Director
At the helm of every successful program is a visionary leader, and we’re thrilled to introduce you to ours. Dr. Donna Prill, a seasoned physician and educator, has been appointed as the director of our new Family Medicine Residency program.
Dr. Donna Prill
Director, Family Medicine Residency, WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital
Q:What was it about us that brought you here to be the program director?
A:
I found everyone I met to be kind and welcoming and knew I would feel at home working here in Chambersburg. I was excited to create a successful new Family Medicine Residency program in a community where it is needed and respected, using all I have learned during my career, both in clinical practice and in academic leadership.
Q:Tell us about the new residency program.
A:
Family Medicine care is much needed in the Chambersburg community, as the last Community Needs survey indicated our region was down 27 family physicians. Our major goal for the new Family Medicine Residency is to train and nurture strong family physicians to provide comprehensive, high-quality care for the patients of this community, with the added potential for them to become part of this community and improve the health of our community well into the future. We will welcome six family physicians each year for the next three years, eventually having 18 on a continuing basis. Our presence may also draw other academic resources to our area in the future, further solidifying quality health care for the community.
Q:How is this different from other programs?
A:
Physician well-being is high on our list. Doctors who take care of themselves and have a better work-life balance take better care of their patients and have longer, happier careers in medicine. We have a diverse community that will benefit from a diverse group of doctors to choose from for their care. We know that cultural sensitivity among health care teams helps to provide better health care. Residents will train with faculty and specialists with unique areas of expertise, which will allow them to pursue elective training for their benefit as well as their patients. We will have opportunities for quality improvement and research projects to further improve care.
Q:You have something special with the team that’s come together — tell us more!
A:
We have created a strong team so far, with a range of ages, degrees, hometowns and areas of interest and experience. Our team’s strength is that we all believe in the same Family Medicine principles we learned in our residency programs. We’re excited to share these principles with the next generation of family physicians. It’s a privilege to lead this team. We’re excited to teach our residents and patients about why family medicine care is important for the health of the community.
Celebrating a milestone: The launch of the new residency program
March 21, 2025, is a big day for our residency program as we welcome our first-year residents in a Match Day celebration! This moment is a testament to our steadfast dedication to the pursuit of excellence in Family Medicine and to the nurturing of the next wave of health care professionals. We believe that by investing in the education and growth of our residents, we are, in turn, investing in the well-being of our community.
Explore our open roles in Family Medicine on this page or learn more about our residency programs.