The Butler Family Medicine Residency program celebrates new location with an open house, ribbon-cutting

BUTLER, Pa., July 1, 2026 – Independence Health System’s Butler Family Medicine Residency (BFMR) program marked the opening of its new permanent location at 480 E. Jefferson St. with a ribbon-cutting and open house. 

The clinic, which welcomed its inaugural class in July 2025, will welcome its second class on July 1—bringing the program to a total of eight resident physicians in training.

“This beautiful new space represents more than updated facilities—it reflects our long-term commitment to training future physicians and delivering high-quality care to patients in Butler,” said Dr. Joseph Dougherty, program director. “It’s a modern environment where residents can develop the skills needed to provide compassionate, full-spectrum care.”

The clinic includes 21 exam rooms organized into four clinical pods, each featuring decor inspired by Butler’s local history. The space also includes two osteopathic manipulative treatment rooms, a procedure room, a precepting office, a lactation room, laboratory space, and medication and vaccination storage. Additional features include an updated kitchen, eight faculty offices, and administrative space. Renovations included new flooring, furniture, lighting, electrical upgrades, fresh paint, and replacement ceiling tiles.

“The Butler Family Medicine Residency program represents a long-term investment in the health of our community,” said Dr. Michael Fiorina, chief medical officer of Independence Health System. “By training physicians here in Butler, we are building a pipeline of providers who are developing a strong understanding of the unique needs of our patients and are well prepared to deliver high-quality, expert care in the years ahead.”

Residents train alongside experienced physicians across a broad range of specialties, gaining exposure to both inpatient and outpatient care. Rotations include ambulatory family medicine, hospitalist medicine, obstetrics, women’s health, pediatrics, cardiology, intensive care, among others. The program also connects residents with community-based initiatives to support a well-rounded training experience.

Residents see patients throughout the week in the family medicine clinical setting, including evening hours, by appointment. Services include preventive care, treatment of common illnesses, care for minor injuries, and management of chronic conditions.

Beginning this fall, the clinic plans to extend evening hours to additional weekdays and introduce specialty clinics focused on sports medicine, musculoskeletal care, dermatology, and hypertension.

To learn more about the residency program or to schedule an appointment, visit independence.health or call 833-604-0435.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning a multi-county region. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health.