Jordan Valley Community Health Center solidifies its commitment to physician training with the announcement of its first two residents during the nationwide “Match Day “announcement.
Springfield, MO – Jordan Valley Community Health Center (JVCHC) is proud to announce the official matching of its first two residents as part of its Family Medicine Residency Program. Jordan Valley has partnered with CoxHealth to form the Southwest Missouri Consortium for Graduate Medical Education (SMC GME). This marks a significant milestone in the health center’s partnership with Cox for graduate medical education, establishing the first Teaching Health Center in the area. The announcement comes today on the nationwide “Match Day,” when medical residency placements are revealed.
The two candidates, Dr. Cole Irwin, DO, and Dr. Hannah Newland, DO, have successfully matched for the program and will begin their residency at JVCHC, where they will receive hands-on training and experience as part of their medical education. The three-year residency will provide valuable learning opportunities to prepare the next generation of primary care physicians.
“We are thrilled to welcome our first residents and further expand our program,” said Dr. Alyssa Easter, Program Director. “This residency is a key part of our commitment to developing highly skilled physicians who will contribute to the health and well-being of our community.”
The JVCHC residency program will continue to grow in the coming years, with plans to add three additional residents in 2026, four in 2027, and four more each year after that. The program will create 12 residency opportunities for aspiring physicians in Missouri, with a long-term goal of retaining these trained professionals within the state. According to The Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program, 56% of THCGME graduates practice in medically underserved and/or rural communities and are more likely to practice within five miles of where they were trained.
“Our new residency program is crucial for both the future of Missouri’s healthcare system and the care for the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Dr. Matthew Stinson, CEO. “By increasing residency opportunities, we are not only fostering homegrown talent but also ensuring that these physicians remain in our state, contributing to the long-term growth and resilience of our region.”
What is Match Day?
Match Day is the culmination of the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) and is a critical event for medical students across the nation. On Monday, March 17, residency applicants learn whether they have matched to a training program. For those who do not match, the NRMP’s Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®) offers a chance to secure an unfilled position. Match Day itself occurs on Friday, March 21, 2025, when applicants across the country discover their matched residency programs.
About the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®)
The NRMP® is a non-profit organization established in 1952 to manage the residency matching process in the United States. It oversees The Match®, which pairs medical students with residency programs in an orderly and fair process. In addition to the Main Residency Match®, the NRMP® also coordinates Fellowship Matches for more than 70 subspecialties.
About Jordan Valley Community Health Center
Jordan Valley Community Health Center is a non-profit healthcare provider dedicated to delivering high-quality, comprehensive healthcare services to individuals and families in southwest Missouri. Through its residency program, JVCHC continues to strengthen its commitment to improving access to healthcare and supporting the development of future healthcare professionals in the region.
