The Florida State University College of Medicine Family Medical Residency Program at Lee Health has welcomed eight new resident physicians, who started their training on June 22.

The new residents include Dr. Francesca Blazekovic from Port Charlotte, Fla.; Dr. Jenna De Francesco from Naples, Fla.; Dr. Thomas Flynn from Sarasota, Fla.; Dr. Shane Geffe from Cape Coral, Fla.; Dr. Joseph Guernsey from Ave Maria, Fla.; Dr. Gerard Mulles from Fort Myers, Fla.; Dr. Dakin White from Bradenton, Fla.; and Dr. Luke Wren from Carmel, Indiana.

The FSU COM Global Health Fellowship Program also welcomes two new fellows Dr. Bradley Green, Global Health Fellow completed residency in Cleveland, Ohio, and Dr. Alice Shallcross, Global Health Fellow completed residency in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Based at Lee Memorial Hospital with The Florida State University College of Medicine as its institutional sponsor, the residency program was created to abate the shortage of primary care physicians anticipated nationally, an issue that is compounded locally by rapid population growth in Southwest Florida. Medical school graduates are required to complete residency training in their chosen specialty to become independently practicing physicians.

Statistically, about 60% of residents will practice medicine in the same area in which they are trained. Since 2014, when the program started, 18 of the 32 graduates (56%) of The Florida State University College of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program at Lee Health have stayed in Southwest Fla.orida following graduation from the program. Four graduates of the residency program were accepted into fellowship programs with one planning to return to the area to practice medicine following her fellowship training.

About Lee Health

Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Fla.orida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Staffed by caring people, inspiring health, services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Formerly known as Lee Memorial Health System, the organization began its second century of service with a new name in 2016. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.