Jacob Valvis, DO

When a trusted leader and mentor recommended that he look into the brand-new family medicine residency program that was launching at Beebe Healthcare, at first, Jacob Valvis, DO, felt a tad apprehensive.

“I always thought that for my residency, I would go somewhere well-established, with a long-known history of training medical residents,” said Dr. Valvis. “At first, Beebe seemed like a risky choice since it is new. But the more I learned about Beebe and the family medicine residency program that is being built, the less concerned I felt, and the more excited I became.”

It became quickly apparent to Dr. Valvis that Beebe Healthcare’s system serves an incredibly diverse patient population and is readily committed to branching out into the community. It is also fully vested in providing outstanding medical education to both residents and members of the local community.

Dr. Valvis sensed he would be supported in his development as a resident. He felt a strong camaraderie among his potential mentors and peers, with a sense that he would be able to confide in and learn from them. Beebe’s family medicine residency leaders were looking for group of residents that would not only be able to relocate, but also work together to build a foundation for their new, impactful, and exciting program. Dr. Valvis concluded his tours and interviews with a new level of excitement for all that Beebe had to offer, and for what he would be able to get out of his training experience if he “matched” with Beebe.

“Everyone I spoke with reinforced that they would want to hear my ideas and that I would really be about to help shape this program for growth, over time,” recalls Dr. Valvis. “I wanted train in a place where I could learn a lot and have some fun, while also feeling valued, comfortable, and safe. Beebe proved to be a great choice for me.”

Dr. Valvis graduated with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he then completed a transitional year of residency training. He also completed a Master of Science at Drexel College of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Delaware. His experiences as a student confirmed that family medicine is his ideal career path because of the opportunities it presents for physicians to address a wide range of medical issues, while collaborating with a diverse spectrum of specialty providers.

“I realized early on – particularly during my third and fourth year as a medical student and during my transitional year of residency – that so many areas of medicine are fascinating, and I want to touch it all in my day-to-day work,” said Dr. Valvis. “As a family medicine physician, I know I will have the opportunity to really get to know my patients on a personal level. I will get to hear their stories and have an impact on their lives in ways that may go beyond the issues they present with that require medical care.”

Dr. Valvis’s interests are just as diverse outside of work. He enjoys exploring new places, visiting restaurants and breweries with friends, watching and playing sports, seeing new movies and concerts, and playing video games. What he has been most passionate about since a child is building model kits from the anime “mobile suit gundam.” As a Delaware native from the Hockessin and Wilmington areas in New Castle County, he is looking forward to moving to Sussex County, where the opportunity will exist to do all of the things he loves, plus spend time relaxing near the ocean.

“I choose Beebe because of the quality of the program and the expertise of the team, staff, and attendings,” said Dr. Valvis, “But the location, and the fact that the hospital is in a beach town … yes, that was a draw. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”