North Colorado Medical Center Sterling Rural Program

Family Medicine Analyst Verified · Oct 19, 2026

North Colorado Medical Center Sterling Rural Program

North Colorado Medical Center Sterling Rural Program is a residency program specializing in Family Medicine, located in Greeley, Colorado, directed by Asa F. Ware, MD and coordinated by Mel Dillon. The program accepts applications through December 1, 2026 and holds an accreditation status of Continued. International Medical Graduates interested in this program may contact the program coordinator directly at [email protected] or (970) 810-2424. IMGPrep analysts have verified and compiled this program’s IMG acceptance rate, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 score requirements, Visa Sponsorship Policy, graduation year cutoff, and ECFMG certificate requirements — available to IMGPrep subscribers.

Program Identity & Fit

This is a rural training track within the larger Banner Health / North Colorado Family Medicine umbrella, in which residents spend their PGY-1 year in Greeley on the Core curriculum before relocating to Sterling Regional MedCenter, a 25-bed critical access hospital, for PGY-2 and PGY-3. The Sterling curriculum is built as a longitudinal four-week cycle (inpatient medicine, obstetrics, outpatient clinic, and a "swing" week combining clinic, ER, and specialty exposure) designed to produce a true full-spectrum rural family physician comfortable with inpatient care, obstetrics, and emergency coverage. Research is not emphasized; the program's stated identity centers on broad-spectrum, procedurally engaged rural practice rather than scholarly output, with optional tracks (Advanced Maternity Care, Hospitalist, Sports Medicine, Global Health, Leadership, Holistic Care) available to residents who want added focus without shifting the core rural mission. The program explicitly values residents who can tolerate geographic relocation to a small underserved community, work with autonomy across disciplines, and commit to practicing "anywhere," particularly in rural and underserved settings.

Who it fits

An applicant whose ERAS narrative centers on rural or underserved community commitment, comfort with generalist/full-scope practice (inpatient, OB, procedures, ER), and demonstrated willingness to live and work in a small, remote hospital setting rather than an urban academic center.

Research intensity

Low - research is not a stated component of the curriculum or mission; emphasis is entirely on clinical scope and rural practice readiness.

Career orientation

Community Practice

Important

The program requires applicants to also apply separately to the Core Program (a distinct NRMP number) in addition to the Sterling track, and notes that eligibility for Colorado licensure by the second year of residency is required for all applicants.

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