I would recommend the nurse practitioner residency program to people who are motivated to provide the highest quality care to patients that seek treatment at a community health center and are passionate about caring for the underserved. This program allowed me to learn by example from expert clinicians, through hands- on experience with patients as well as in a formal learning environment with weekly didactic sessions. Through this comprehensive approach to learning through multiple modalities, I was able to leave my residency year feeling confident that I could provide safe and complete care of complex patients.  Throughout this unique opportunity my co-residents were amazing sources of encouragement who turned into life-long professional colleagues and forever friends.  Even though we moved to locations across the country after graduation we have maintained personal relationships as life and careers evolve. Years after our program ended, I have had the good fortune to catch up with a co-resident at nurse practitioner conference as well as to cheer another on as we both ran the NYC marathon for various health related charities.  After this shared experience of learning, transition, challenge and success we have a connection that will last a lifetime.