Residency programs play an important role in the communities where they are located and we are encouraged that Palmdale Regional Medical Center is creating a Family Medicine Residency Program.  As a teaching program for resident physicians who want to practice family medicine, the Residency Program is on the forefront of issues facing communities that are in need of family medicine providers. 

Issues facing communities:

• As family medicine physicians age into retirement, there are less physicians going into the specialty of family medicine.
• Patients are waiting longer to get appointments to see their family doctor.
• Less family medicine providers adds an increased burden on hospital emergency rooms and urgent care clinics where people are seeking primary care services.

Why is it important to have a Family Medicine Physician?

The scope of knowledge and services that a family doctor provides to his or her patients is very broad – from treating common illnesses like a cold, sore throat, and flu symptoms, to providing maternal and child care, to managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. More importantly, family medicine physicians develop relationships with their patients over the course of a lifetime of caring for them and are more apt to keep their patients healthier because they can treat potential health problems at an earlier stage. 

In addition, family medicine doctors care for your entire family, at any age and at any stage of life. They provide annual wellness exams, perform complete physicals, ensure immunizations are current, advise patients on preventive care and screenings they need, and much more. They also know you on a personal level, like the work that you do or when your kids are graduating, because these are things you talk about together. You’re not just a patient number to them – you are a person and they are invested in caring for your healthcare needs. Family medicine doctors live in your community, their kids go to school with your kids, you support the same local businesses. This makes a big difference in your health and the health of your community!

Benefits of Palmdale residency program to the community

Having a family medicine residency training program in Palmdale California contributes to the delivery of health services in many different ways.  Resident physicians in the Antelope Valley are advancing their family medicine knowledge and skills with procedures as well as treating patients at Family First Family Medical Practice, in the hospital setting, at long-term care facilities, and other locations. Additionally, residents rotate with specialty physicians in the entire Antelope Valley and provide care to patients in those clinics. The opportunities for the resident physicians to work and socialize in the local community increases the likelihood that some of the physicians will continue to practice family medicine after they complete their residency program.

Other ways that patients and the community benefit from having the Residency Program here  include:

• Resident physicians continually learn advanced practices in medicine which in turn enables patients in locally to receive cutting-edge treatments.
• The rural training program increases the number of family medicine physicians who choose to practice in rural communities.
• Patients are able to participate in clinical trials locally.
• The Residency Program can help in the recruitment of other doctors to the community.
• Residents and their families are involved in school and community activities.
• Residents doing rotations with local physicians can spend more time with patients, to listen, explain things thoroughly, and provide educational opportunities.

At Familyfirst Family Medical Practice, individuals and families will find a full range of primary care services, as well as on-site lab. Patients enjoy getting to know and be cared for by the resident physicians who come from leading academic medical schools across the country. It’s one of the many benefits of having a family medicine residency program in Palmdale Californioa.  If you are looking for a family medicine physician, call Familyfirst Family Medical Practice at 661-341-3800.

Same-day appointments are available to established patients. 

What is Family First Family Medical Practice?

Every Family deserves World Class Care, where they come first.

Our family-first preventive care, combined with a patient-centered healthcare team, help us serve you with excellence in quality, service, and access.  Led by Dr. Susan M. Nasser, a board-certified family medicine practitioner, we have the knowledge and compassionate care that makes our patients feel safe and comfortable at all times.

Where are they located?

Family First is located at 42135 10th Street West, STE 102 and 201, Lancaster, California 93534.  They can be reached by calling 661-341-3800.

What services do they offer the community?

We offer the following services to the community:

• Pediatrics
• Geriatrics
• Men's Health
• Women's Health
• AME Medical Exams
• Same Day Clinic
• Allergy Testing
• Diabetes Care
• Hypertension Care
• Preventive Medicine
• Sports Physicals
• Medicare Annual Wellness Exams
• and coming soon Urgent Care.....

Who is Palmdale Regional Medical Center?

Palmdale Regional became the newest hospital in the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County on December 11, 2010. Located in Palmdale, California, Palmdale Regional provides medical services to the Antelope Valley and its surrounding desert communities. The hospital is conveniently positioned off the 14 Freeway on the southern end of the Antelope Valley, just an hour’s drive from Los Angeles. Palmdale Regional serves an approximate population of 477,000 in this diverse and highly educated community. The hospital’s reach includes Palmdale, Lancaster, Acton, Lake Los Angeles, Rosamond, Edwards, Ridgecrest and Mojave, as well as other outlying communities. Palmdale Regional has become a major employer in the region, especially as the hospital has continued to expand their programs and develop new services for the community. The hospital embraces technology and innovation in design, materials and equipment. The building itself was built to meet or exceed the strict state of California seismic standards for earthquake readiness and durability. It is designed for enhanced patient experience, operational efficiency and future growth.

What services do they offer the community?

Palmdale Regional Medical Center is an acute care hospital and medical center that serves the Antelope Valley and surrounding areas. We are a thriving community hospital, proud to offer the “high-tech” advantages of a big-city hospital and the personalized care of a hometown provider. Centers of emphasis include: Cardiology and STEMI Receiving Center, Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Advanced Primary Stroke Center, Surgery, Neurology, The Rehabilitation & Orthopedic Institute, Orthopedics, The Rehabilitation Institute at Palmdale Regional, Bariatrics, Neurosciences and The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine.

What does Palmdale Regional do different from other hospitals?

The Palmdale Regional campus is designed to enhance the patient experience. Spectacular views stretch out from the hospital’s hillside entrance, giving way to the beautiful landscape of the open desert. The hospital is committed to taking new approaches to patient comfort, convenience and safety. All rooms are private and single-occupancy.

The hospital industry standard of private, single-occupancy rooms provides many excellent benefits including:

• A more quiet patient experience

• Reduces infection risk

• Promotes faster healing

• Provides a closer, personal setting for family members

• Allows for confidential conversations with physicians

Palmdale Regional Medical Center is located at 38600 Medical Center Drive, Palmdale, CA, 93551 and can be reached by calling 661-382-5000.



To schedule an appointment, patients can call Family First Family Medical Practice at 661-582-4244. 

Family First Family Medical Practice is located at 42135 10th St W #201, Lancaster, CA 93534. 

Family First Family Medical Practice is currently open to new patients.