Without a doubt, the backbone of any educational setting is its faculty. At Wyoming Valley Family Medicine Residency Program, we're proud to offer a wide array of outstanding educators who come from varied and prestigious backgrounds.


Please take a few moments to meet the faculty of our residency.

Dr. English graduated from Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and completed his residency training at the Wyoming Valley Family Medicine Residency Program. He received a Master's degree in Health Care Administration from King's College, Wilkes-Barre. Prior to becoming director, Dr. English was in clinical practice for 20 years. In addition to his rich clinical background which includes Certificates of Added Qualifications in Geriatric and Adolescent Medicine, Dr. English brings expertise in business and medical information systems to the program. Dr. English enjoys skiing, hiking and camping.

Dr. Ference received his Doctorate of Pharmacy from Wilkes University Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing. He completed a specialty residency in Family Medicine and a faculty development fellowship at UPMC St. Margaret’s, Pittsburgh, PA. Before returning to Northeast Pennsylvania, he spent four years on faculty as an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy and adjunct assistant professor in the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine Tulsa, OK. Dr. Ference is a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist and manages a referral-based pharmacotherapy clinic, focusing on advanced diabetic education and management and serves as a consultant for the hospital's Family Medicine Team. He has published several book chapters and original, peer-reviewed manuscripts and presented at international Family Medicine conferences. Dr. Ference’s research interest includes measures of diabetics’ quality of life, pharmacy preceptor development and pharmacy student curricular development, focusing on role-playing. Dr. Ference is also an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Wilkes University Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing, Wilkes-Barre, PA and teaches throughout the curriculum. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, son and two dogs.

Dr. Gross graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where she was one of the first undergraduate fellows in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. After completing her osteopathic internship and family medicine residency at Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, she entered private practice in Tamaqua, Pa where she practiced until accepting the position of Director of Osteopathic Medical Education for the system. She also holds the role of Program Director for the AOA-approved family medicine residency. She is board certified by the AOBFP, ABFM and AOBNMM (Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine) and has completed a faculty development fellowship at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Dr Gross' interests include incorporating Osteopathic Practices and Principles into patient care and post-graduate education as well as full spectrum family medicine. She is a clinical assistant professor for PCOM in the OMM department and clinical faculty for TCMC. Dr. Gross was born and raised in York County, PA, graduated from Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, enjoys the outdoors, country music, and is an avid football fan. She can be reached at ggross@wvhcs.org.

Dr. Litchman is a graduate of Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, and also graduated from the Wyoming Valley Family Practice Residency Program. She received post-graduate training at Duke University Faculty Development Workshop Series. An accomplished lecturer, Dr. Litchman has presented her work in patient education, health maintenance and quality improvement at regional and national family medicine conferences. Dr. Litchman enjoys spending time with her children, classical music and reading mysteries.

Dr. Joseph Narins joined the faculty of the Wyoming Valley Family Medicine Residency Program in August 2006 after almost 20 years in private pracice. Dr. Narins graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1983. He completed his internship at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore, MD, and then an OB/GYN Residency at Sinai Hospital of Detroit in 1987. Dr. Narins brings experience in many practice environments including Multispeciality group, single specialty group and solo practice. Dr. Narins worked part-time for over 10 years as an OB/GYN preceptor at the Moses Cone Family Medicine Residency Program in Greensboro, NC. Dr. Narins is the Director of OB/GYN services for the Family Medicine Residency Program, and the faculty for the Gynecology and Mother-to-Be Clinics at the Family Care Center. He enjoys spending time with his wife and girls, cooking, vocal music, and exploring all that the Northeast has to offer.

Dr. Shanbaky is a Pennsylvania native who has practiced in various places throughout the state, including Hershey Medical Center. She obtained her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed her residency training in Lancaster Pennsylvania. She currently holds a faculty membership at Wyoming Valley Family Medicine Residency Program and a Clinical Assistant Professorship at The Commonwealth Medical College. Her professional interests include clinical research, breastfeeding, women’s health and obstetrical care.

Dr. Spring graduated from Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia. Following her residency she was in group practice in suburban Philadelphia for five years. She has completed the Duke University Faculty Development Workshop Series and has earned Certificates of Added Qualification in both Geriatric Medicine and Adolescent Medicine. In addition to being the former Chairperson of the Department of Family Medicine for Wyoming Valley Health Care System, Dr. Spring is involved with medical student education at The Commonwealth Medical College where she is a Clinical Assistant Professor. She oversees the student clerkship program at Wyoming Valley Family Medicine Residency. Dr. Spring’s interests include the full spectrum of family medicine with emphasis on Adolescent Medicine and medical student teaching. She enjoys downhill skiing, traveling and spending time with her family.