Putting value-based care FIRST:
How a program is helping Internal Medicine residents at The Wright Center prepare for the future of primary care
Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program residents from left, Drs. Sandra Rabat, Enrico Pelicci, and Ramsha Khan participated in the Aledade FIRST (Fostering Independence, Readiness, Sustainability, and Togetherness) Program, which addresses the critical shortage of primary care physicians in the United States by providing stipend-supported, value-based care training curriculum to prepare participants to succeed in modern practice settings.
A 15-month program designed to educate early-career primary care physicians about the future of primary care helped strengthen Sandra Rabat’s ’26, D.O., passion for her profession.
She and fellow Internal Medicine resident physician Enrico Pelicci ’26, M.D., began the Aledade FIRST (Fostering Independence, Readiness, Sustainability, and Togetherness) Program in October 2024, when both were in their second year of residency. The program has focused on addressing the critical shortage of primary care physicians in the United States by providing stipend-supported, value-based care training curriculum to prepare participants to succeed in modern practice settings.
Aledade FIRST aligns with our mission to train primary care physicians to deliver affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary and preventive health services in Northeast Pennsylvania and in underserved communities nationwide, where they complete their residency training.
Dr. Rabat, who plans to remain in primary care, said participating in the program strengthened her belief that value-based care models – a payment model that rewards clinicians for quality outcomes and patient health, rather than the volume of services – are the future of health care. The Wright Center also has a deep focus on value-based care and how the model can improve the region’s health.
“Aledade FIRST inspired me to think more intentionally about continuity, preventive care, care coordination, and team-based approaches to patient management,” Dr. Rabat said. “Being part of a group of like-minded residents has helped me think more concretely about my long-term career path in primary care and how to practice medicine sustainably while making a meaningful impact.”
Dr. Pelicci said Aledade FIRST provided information he could immediately apply to what he encountered in his rotations.
“One month, the topic focused on proper coding for billing, so now I pay more attention to the particular diagnosis codes when I’m treating a patient,” Dr. Pelicci said. “Aledade also had a great reading and discussion focused on various insurance types. Insurance, especially Medicare, can be so complicated, but reading about the different plans and the repetition of information has helped me better understand them.”
The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program residents Drs. Ramsha Khan, Enrico Pelicci, and Sandra Rabat discuss the Aledade FIRST Program as they walk down the hallway at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton.
In other months, Dr. Pelicci added, participants turned their attention to topics including teamwork in clinical settings, burnout prevention, and other development areas. Each participant was paired with a mentor for ongoing discussions about residency, assigned readings, and related topics.
The program was launched in 2022 by Aledade, a public benefit corporation and the nation’s largest network of independent primary care physicians. Largely virtual, it is accessible to busy medical residents worldwide. Second- and third-year resident physicians who wish to participate can submit an interest form directly to Aledade. Our leadership team also identifies potential candidates for the program.
Internal Medicine resident physician Ramsha Khan ’27, D.O., began the Aledade FIRST Program in October 2025.
“I decided to participate in Aledade because I believe it will allow me to learn more about value-based care in a high-quality primary care setting,” Dr. Khan said. “This experience will be valuable in helping me become a stronger advocate for my patients and approach patient care from a holistic perspective – ultimately pushing me to deliver the highest quality of care possible.”
Physician learners who participate in the Aledade FIRST Program earn twice-monthly stipends. The program also offers financial incentives to those who choose to work for up to five years after residency at a health center or clinic affiliated with an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), such as The Wright Center.
An ACO is a network of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that work together to deliver coordinated, high-quality care to a defined patient population. By focusing on value-based care, ACOs aim to improve health outcomes while managing costs.
“Overall, the program has been a meaningful complement to residency by offering mentorship, community, and practical tools that align closely with my passion for primary care, preventive medicine, and increasing access,” Dr. Rabat said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate.”
