Internal Medicine Residency Program Application Process

Apply for the Cottage Health Internal Medicine Program through ERAS.

The Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program is excited to announce a recent ACGME-approved expansion of the Categorical Program from 30 residents to 36 total residents. This will include 12 PGY1, 12 PGY2 & 12 PGY3 categorical positions. Unfortunately, this change coincides with stopping the Preliminary Program after the completion of the current 2024-25 academic year. The change will go into effect at the start of the 2025-26 Academic Year, and we will only be accepting Categorical Applications during the 2024-25 ERAS cycle.

We accept international graduates and only sponsor J-1 visas for applicants who have graduated within the past 5 years and have at least one year of clinical experience practicing direct patient care in the United States.

ACGME ID: 1400522066

"I ALWAYS FELT SUPPORTED, HEARD, AND PART OF THE TEAM."

As someone who was born and raised in the South Bay of southern California, I knew being coastal would play a major role for where I would apply for residency. Aside from location, other values that held importance were wellness, resident support, and a genuine sense of community amongst residents and attendings. The residency interview trail is scary and during my application process, which happened to be during the COVID-19 epidemic, the interviews were virtual for the first time. During my interview, the collegiality, warmth, and welcoming spirit of everyone was palpable through the computer screen. Since day one, I always felt supported, heard, and part of the team. The program is structured in a way that autonomy is afforded to you with ample opportunities to seek areas of interest for your career path. Dr. Fitzgibbons, our PD, did not let any hurdle stop her from connecting residents to their field of interest and establishing connections with mentors. I am forever grateful to my attendings, Kim, and my co-residents because my three years here shaped me into the physician I am today. Yet the most valuable aspect was making life-long connections with wonderful people. I can proudly say, I am a graduate of Cottage Hospital’s internal medicine residency program.

Ricky Espinoza, MD
Chief Resident of 2023-2024

“I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!”

SBCH is a hidden gem in California. Before matching into residency, I knew I wanted a program with the perfect mix of academic and community aspects. I found it in SBCH. We see a diverse disease pathology from bread and butter cases to zebras. We have the opportunity to teach medical students, access to research, a large number of procedures, and mentoring for fellowships. In addition to this, what makes the program phenomenal is the people. I look forward to coming to work every day and interacting with my co-residents, teaching staff, ancillary staff, and patients. The program is constantly making improvements to better our teaching experience and optimize our work-life balance. The program is also very responsive to resident feedback. For example, the increased cost of living was brought to attention, and this led to the initiation of a housing stipend. Throughout my residency training, I have felt supported by everyone around me. If I had the choice to do my Internal Medicine residency again, I would pick Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital all over again.

Sri Mandava, MD
Chief Resident of 2022-2023

“I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SENSE OF CONNECTION”

After rotating at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital as a medical student, I fell in love with the sense of connection. The residents all seemed to operate as a family and had incredibly close relationships with the teaching faculty. After matching at SBCH I can confirm that my expectations were not only met but surpassed- it’s been an absolute privilege to train in an environment where I’m encouraged to be compassionate, team-driven, and constantly curious. My close bonds with our faculty have allowed me to feel comfortable asking questions- I’m encouraged to find my independence as a provider, but also know there is unequivocal support and assistance any time. My co-residents are some of my favorite people on the planet and it’s a gift to spend every day working so closely with such an encouraging, funny, and intelligent group. They make me better as a doctor, and I can only hope I offer the same to them. We’re collectively challenged by a diverse array of pathology, often caring for the most marginalized populations in the area. I’m so thankful to have undergone my residency training at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and would choose it again in a heartbeat.

Summer Baird, MD
Class of 2021

“I COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER MATCH”

Choosing a residency is no easy task, but I could not have asked for a better match than with Cottage Hospital. The internal medicine residency program includes the best aspects of a small community hospital with the collegial feel and beautiful surrounding and a county hospital with diverse populations and pathology. The entire faculty displays passion for medicine that is infectious, provides endless teaching and inspires a sense of curiosity in all the residents. The learning environment is one of support and camaraderie. I am proud to be part of this family who has given me the opportunity to develop relationship with attendings, make lifelong relationships with peers, gain practical experience all in an exceptional academic setting. I feel very fortunate to have a director whose priority is resident training and wellbeing. And last but not least, Santa Barbara is a wonderful place to live when you have the time to enjoy!

Rebecca Salvo, DO
Class of 2020