Enhancing Rural Healthcare in Central Oregon: Mosaic Welcomes Dr. Ben Khalil to Madras

Mosaic is preparing to welcome Ben Khalil, MD, to the Madras Health Center in August 2025 after completing his OHSU internship in Portland. Dr. Khalil is part of the Three Sisters Rural Track Program, a partnership with OHSU designed to prepare family medicine physicians to address rural healthcare challenges, supporting Mosaic’s mission of increasing access to high-quality care in Central Oregon.

The Three Sisters Rural Track Program

This groundbreaking family medicine residency is the first of its kind primarily based in Central Oregon. Developed through a partnership between OHSU, Mosaic Community Health and St. Charles Health System, the program aims to address the healthcare needs of rural Oregonians while growing the region’s healthcare workforce. Jefferson County, designated as a “Health Professional Shortage Area,” ranks among Oregon’s least healthy counties. Increasing access to primary care—caring for the whole family—plays a vital role in addressing these challenges.

Program Structure and Goals

The three resident physicians (selected out of more than 100 applicants) in the Three Sisters Rural Track Program spend their first year (internship) at OHSU in Portland, followed by two years in Jefferson County. During their time in Jefferson County, residents will work at three key sites: Mosaic’s Madras Health Center, St. Charles Madras hospital and the Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center. Under the supervision of experienced teaching physicians, including Mosaic’s Dr. Katie Snyder, residents will have their own patient panels and gain exposure to diverse healthcare settings and practice management styles.

The OSHU Family Practice Residency Program used data on healthcare disparities in Jefferson County when applying for grants to start the first medical residency program centered in Madras. They received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources & Service Administration’s Rural Residency Planning and Development Program and a $1 million Healthy Oregon Workforce Training Opportunity grant to launch the program. Donations to the St. Charles Foundation also help sustain and expand the program.

Building a Stronger Healthcare Workforce

Residency programs play a crucial role in addressing physician shortages. Research shows that 55 percent of physicians remain within a 100-mile radius of their residency site. By training family medicine physicians in Central Oregon, the Three Sisters Rural Track Program not only enhances local healthcare resources but also increases the likelihood of attracting skilled providers to the region long-term.

A Unified Mission

The program’s mission is clear: “To provide compassionate, culturally inclusive, full-spectrum training in family medicine dedicated to improving access to high-quality healthcare in rural and underserved communities.” As part of this vision, the residency strengthens connections between local healthcare resources, ensuring a more cohesive and effective system of care.

Dr. Ben Khalil’s arrival marks an exciting step forward in this mission, and Mosaic is proud to be a key partner in shaping the future of rural healthcare in Central Oregon.

About Dr. Ben Khalil

Dr. Khalil earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Washington and his M.D. from Oregon Health and Science University. His approach to care emphasizes the connection between physical and mental health, recognizing that addressing both is essential for overall wellness. Dr. Khalil provides primary care services for a wide range of needs, including physical injuries, pregnancy and reproductive health, behavioral health concerns like depression and anxiety and chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Outside of the clinic, he enjoys adventures with friends and family, loves ice-cream and cherishes spending time with his wife and two cats.

For more information about the Three Sisters Rural Track Program, visit the OHSU website.