Geisinger Commonwealth’s new 3+3 Accelerated Program welcomes first cohort

Geisinger Commonwealth’s new 3+3 Accelerated Program welcomed its first cohort at the class of 2026 White Coat Ceremony last August.

Abigail Geisinger Scholars accepted to the program complete medical school in three years, followed by either a three-year Family Medicine Residency at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, a three-year Internal Medicine Residency at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center or a three-year Kistler Family Medicine Residency at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre.

Among the new 3+3 scholars is Helen Guo of Gibsonia, Pa. She said she was attracted to everything about the new program — including the fact that she’ll be working for Geisinger. “I knew Geisinger was the right school for me because of the focus on community-centered health, preventive medicine and primary care,” she said. “I’m passionate about partnering with communities and patients to promote healthy living. I want to make a positive difference in peoples’ lives and their health.”

Community focus is also important to scholar Michelle St. Omer Roy of Mechanicsburg, Pa. “I love that the school was founded both by the community and for the community,” she said. “In the future, I plan to work in community health in the realm of health education. I wanted to attend a school that holds the community at the center of everything they do.”

Scholar Alexandra Angheloiu of Lancaster, Pa., cited support and mentorship as important factors in choosing the 3+3 Program. “In addition to academic excellence, I chose Geisinger Commonwealth because of the opportunities it offers outside of the classroom. I’ll soon participate in the clinical setting and learn about resources I can offer my patients by volunteering at places like the Fresh Food Farmacy,” she said. “The program also appealed to me because of the mentorship from physicians and faculty, such as Dr. Wasique Mirza. It’s exciting to begin building relationships with the healthcare professionals I‘ll be working with during residency.“

Ms. St. Omer Roy added, “This will allow me to begin making a positive impact in my community sooner.”

The program offers:

• Accelerated training, allowing students to earn their medical degree in three years

• Early immersion/orientation with staff/faculty and residency programs

• Longitudinal clinical experience at participating residencies early in the curriculum

• Scholarly summer immersion program with participating residencies

• Longitudinal integrated clerkship during clerkship in either family medicine or internal medicine

Advantages to choosing the 3 + 3 Program:

• Medical school completion in three years

• Rigorous, efficient, robust programing advising and mentoring by primary care physicians and residents

• Peer collaboration and fellowship

• Direct progression into the Family Medicine Residency at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, the Internal Medicine Residency at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center or the Kistler Family Medicine Residency at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre.