Residency graduate the latest to remain and practice at Adena Health

CHILLICOTHE, OH (July 16, 2024) – Continuing a trend in recent years that has seen graduates of Adena Health’s residency program choosing to remain with the health system to practice, one member of the class of 2024 will keep his talents local.

Mishel Simoni, MD, a graduate of the family medicine residency program, joins the team of providers practicing at Adena Family Medicine – Woodlands in Chillicothe.

“Adena has a dynamic working environment and presents opportunities for professional growth,” Dr. Simoni said of his decision. “My experience working with Adena, the patients, and the people here has been very positive. I chose to stay with Adena because I am familiar with the system and the people, which is making this transition much smoother.”

Resident physicians are licensed doctors who graduated medical school and have chosen to advance their training in residency within the specialty they seek. Adena’s 2024 graduates of its residency class include three in family medicine, four in internal medicine, and two in psychiatry.

This year’s graduates selected Adena for their residency after graduating from medical schools around the world. Dr. Simoni, a native of Iran who came to the United States in 2010 and attended medical school in California, joined others in his class in having the unique experience of having to search for a residency program in the spring of 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic’s grip was taking hold.

Since finding the right fit is so important in a successful residency, Dr. Simoni tried to get as much of a sense of the different program options as he could through virtual interviews, watching interviews with current residents of those programs that appeared on YouTube, and reaching out to speak directly with some of those residents. He liked what he learned about Adena’s residency program and, sight unseen, decided to give it a chance. It’s been a decision that has paid dividends for him.

“They create this environment that’s very supportive,” Dr. Simoni said. “Anytime you had any issues about anything, they were there for you. They definitely want you to become better and be a good physician when you go on to practice on your own."

“I consider myself really lucky. If I had to go back and choose again knowing what I know now, I would definitely choose Adena again.”

Adena’s graduate medical education program started in 2012 with an initial class of six resident physicians. This year’s incoming residency class has 15 members. 

The steady growth and reputation of Adena’s graduate medical education program has not only resulted in the health system becoming a first-choice destination for many potential residents in recent years, but the quality of the program has created an environment in which several, like Dr. Simoni, have chosen to stay following graduation to care for patients across the nine counties Adena serves.

Dr. Simoni becomes the ninth physician from the past three residency classes to remain at Adena, joining seven others from previous classes.