Grass Valley, CA (12/1/25) – A collaborative effort spearheaded by the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation (SNMHF), in partnership with Dominican Hospital Foundation, Mercy Medical Center Merced Foundation, and St. Joseph’s Foundation of San Joaquin, has successfully secured a
$3 million Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant. This significant award will fund the integration of comprehensive Street Medicine training into primary care residency programs across four communities in Northern California.
The grant represents a groundbreaking initiative to address the critical healthcare needs of unhoused communities. Recognizing a shared mission to serve these vulnerable populations, the collaborating foundations developed an innovative program that will design and implement residency program curriculum teaching primary care physicians on how to break down barriers to care, improve health outcomes, and foster a more compassionate healthcare system for all.
“This $3 million HRSA grant is a testament to the incredible impact we can achieve when we unite for a common purpose,” said Sandra Barrington, SNMHF Executive Director ” Medical care our local unhoused communities has always been a concern for SNMH Foundation, the Hospital, and our partner organizations. This grant allows us to profoundly impact medical care by equipping future healthcare professionals with specialized training to address the unique challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness.”
Through the combined expertise and coordinated efforts of all four foundations, the team demonstrated the profound potential of cross-regional collaboration. This partnership resulted in a unified residency program and a powerful, well-aligned grant proposal grounded in a deep understanding of community needs.
“While each of our foundations has a history of individual success, this experience has shown us that the future of securing larger funding opportunities lies in collaboration,” Heather Thorpe, SNMHF Board President “When we work together as a region, we can make a greater impact, which is what funders are truly seeking. This grant is a powerful example of that principle in action.”
The secured funding will make a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals by enhancing the skills and understanding of future medical professionals. This initiative further strengthens the commitment of these CommonSpirit hospitals to delivering compassionate care and underscores collaboration as a key driver for excellence.
About Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation: The Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation supports Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, a Dignity Health hospital, in its mission to provide high-quality healthcare to the residents of Nevada County. Through fundraising and community engagement, the Foundation enhances hospital services, acquires advanced equipment, and supports programs that improve patient care and community health outcomes.
Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program: The Sierra Nevada Family Medicine Residency Program is an integrated rural training program based out of the Dignity Health Methodist Hospital of Sacramento Family Medicine Residency Program. Residents will complete their intern year at Methodist Hospital and Mercy Family Medical Clinic in Sacramento, CA. In their 2nd and 3rd years, residents will train in the beautiful, historic town of Grass Valley, CA at Chapa-De Indian Health Clinic, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, and local subspecialty outpatient offices.