Having grown up in Essex County, I know firsthand how amazing of an institution Mountainside is. As a medical student, I was afforded the opportunity to do an Internship with the Family Medicine Residency program. Within the first hour, what became evident to me was the culture. People happily greeted and talked to one another with respect and learning, as well as communication were highly encouraged. Residents and staff were visibly happy -it genuinely reminded me of a family. This, along with Mountainside’s commitment to diversity were some of the reasons that I knew it was where I wanted to call home. I am forever thankful and grateful for the opportunity to serve the community I grew up in and be a part of the HackensackUMC Mountainside Family Medicine Residency Program.