Faculty
Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program has over 50 faculty members who are directly involved with resident teaching, representing many disciplines throughout the residency program.
- Each service has "registrars" - most are Family Medicine Physicians with additional training and experience, whether OB, pediatrics, intensive care or surgery
- Our registrar system allows for teaching through the eyes of a Family Medicine Physician
- Simultaneously, the resident gets "expert" knowledge through the eyes of the "specialist"
- Our faculty is culturally diverse
Program Director and Associate Program Directors
Leah Romito, MD (she/her)
Program Director
Clinical Focus Area: Primary Care
Residency: Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Although I grew up in sunny Southern California, for a change of scenery I moved to the East Coast for college, a Masters degree, and ultimately medical school at Boston University. After working in various underserved communities in Boston and training at a hospital that champions Exceptional Care Without Exception, I was looking for a family medicine program to reflect that mission. When I rotated at Contra Costa as a medical student, I knew I found my place and my people. I stayed on as faculty after I graduated in 2014 and in addition to outpatient clinic, educating residents has become a passion of mine. Outside of CCRMC, my husband, three kids, dog and I love to go on hikes and play in the water (while the cat gets to rule to roost at home!).
Ne (Melissa) Ferguson, MD (she/her)
Associate Program Director
Clinical Focus Area: Inpatient Medicine, Point of Care Ultrasound
Residency: Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency
Medical School: Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
I grew up in Southern California and came back to the West Coast for residency at Contra Costa (by way of Indiana, Washington DC, Chile, Peru, New York City and Chicago). Here, I found like-minded individuals passionate about providing excellent care for underserved communities and have stayed ever since. I primarily work with residents as an inpatient registrar. Finding a good work environment is always about being surrounded by those that challenge and inspire you. I'm lucky to feel that way on a consistent basis at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC). Outside of work, my husband and I (a fellow CCRMC alum) try to get outside as much as possible with our two boys and experience the diverse cuisine, music and neighborhoods the Bay Area has to offer.
Michel Sam, MD, MS, MS (he/him)
Associate Program Director
Clinical Focus: Primary Care
Residency: Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program
Medical School: UCSF School of Medicine, Joint Medical Program
Before pursuing a medical career, I spent several years designing prosthetic feet for landmine survivors in low-income countries. I then graduated from the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program in 2008 and came to CCRMC for residency to pursue my lifelong commitment to social justice and working with the underserved. I have loved working here ever since and currently provide care to a very diverse family medicine panel at West County Health Center. I am proud to lead the ambulatory side of our program where I can teach like-minded residents who are dedicated to working in low-resource settings. Outside of work I treasure spending time with my beautiful family (both our children were born in our hospital), as well as surfing, wingsurfing, and snowboarding.