ASU Health Breaks Ground on New Medical School Campus in Phoenix

April 17, 2026

Arizona's Newest Medical School Takes Shape in Downtown Phoenix

Medical education is quickly evolving to improve Arizona's healthcare system, better meet patients' needs, and prepare students for today's challenges.

ASU Health's recent ground-breaking is proof of this expansion. Earlier this month, Arizona State University's hub for health and medical education broke ground on its new headquarters in the Phoenix BioScience Core. The 175,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to open in time for the fall 2028 semester, when it will welcome approximately 36 medical students.

The Arizona Medical Association was present for the ceremony, joining university leaders, elected officials, and innovators who are invested in furthering local medical education.

A Medical School Built Around Engineering and Technology

At the center of the new campus is the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, a program designed to graduate physicians with both a medical degree and a master's in medical engineering — in four years. The curriculum integrates engineering, technology, the humanities, and tools such as artificial intelligence and data science. HonorHealth will serve as the school's primary clinical affiliate. The facility itself will include virtual reality classrooms, health care simulation and skills labs, and a medical-technology innovation suite.

Addressing Arizona's Workforce Gap Head-On

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs noted at the groundbreaking that the state will need 76,000 new health care workers by 2030. ASU Health hopes to help close that gap, with a stated goal of tripling the number of nurses educated by ASU and attracting more physicians to Arizona through upskilling opportunities. ASU President Michael Crow framed the program's success in outcome-driven terms: not by degrees conferred, but by whether the state's overall health improves and whether health care access costs decline.

GME Must Keep Pace With Medical Education

As medical education in Arizona expands, the Arizona Medical Association's advocacy for graduate medical education funding grows with it. Medical schools across are state are educating the next era of compassionate, forward-looking physicians. But, without the graduate medical education funding our state needs to meet workforce demands, these talented trainees have very limited opportunities to live and work in Arizona.



That's why ArMA advocates for increased GME funding at the Arizona State Capitol and beyond. Just last year, we successfully secured $4 million in federally-matched funding to expand local residency programs and train the next generation of Arizona physicians.


While this investment is meaningful, it is far from enough. We are committed to ensuring that every Arizona medical student has the opportunity to become an Arizona physician.

A Strong ArMA Presence & United Community

ArMA was proud to participate in the ceremony, represented by President Dr. Jason Jameson, CEO Doug Laher, and Vice-President of Government Relations Amanda Sheinson. ArMA's own Dr. Priya Radhakrishnan, a HonorHealth executive team member and one of the physicians helping bring ASU Health's vision to life, also played a large role in the event.


ArMA applauds the program's forward-looking approach — equipping future physicians to blend engineering, technology, and the humanities in service of comprehensive, compassionate patient care. As the landscape of healthcare continues to evolve at break-neck speeds, this kind of out-of-the-box innovation will be critical for preserving quality patient care.

ADHS Issues Standing Orders for Flu, COVID-19 Vaccine Access

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
Statewide orders keep pharmacists and physicians authorized to vaccinate Arizonans amid uncertainty over the next ACIP meeting. Statewide Orders Cover the 2026-27 Flu & COVID Season The Arizona Department of Health Services has issued statewide standing orders supporting access to the 2026-27 influenza and COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Arizonans seeking a flu or COVID-19 vaccine should contact their physician or pharmacy to confirm availability. Why the Orders Were Issued Arizona pharmacists may administer vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for international travel, or vaccines authorized under a prescription, including a physician-issued public health standing order. With the timing of the next ACIP meeting uncertain, ADHS worked with the Arizona Board of Pharmacy to issue statewide standing orders for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which function as a prescription allowing pharmacists and physicians across Arizona to administer them to anyone who wants one. ADHS Medical Advisor Weighs In "Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to protect our communities. The Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines help us limit the spread of disease, reduce pressure on our healthcare system and reduce costs," said Dr. Richard Carmona, ADHS public health medical advisor and the 17th U.S. Surgeon General. "We have issued these standing orders to ensure safe and timely access to the vaccines in alignment with scientific and evidence-based guidance." What Arizonans Should Know The standing orders do not require every pharmacy to offer vaccinations, and they do not guarantee insurance coverage for administration. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan, so Arizonans should check with their insurance provider before scheduling an appointment. 

Arizona Asks Supreme Court to Halt Prison Health Care Takeover

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
State attorneys seek an emergency stay after lower courts reject bids to delay receivership of the prison health care system. State Makes a Last-Ditch Appeal Attorneys for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry asked the U.S. Supreme Court this week to delay a court-ordered receivership of the state's prison health care system. The request comes after both a federal district court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause the takeover. In the recent application, former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, a representative of the department, argued that the state deserves more time to make its case before surrendering control of its operations, including oversight of its employees and health care budget. Roots of the Case The dispute began in 2012 when inmates sued the department, alleging the prison system's inadequate medical, mental health, and dental care amounted to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. The case went through years of litigation and a failed settlement agreement. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver ruled that the health care system was "grossly inadequate." The court ordered the prison healthcare system to comply with more than 150 "quality indicators," but according to court-appointed monitors, the department failed to comply with 131 of the measures. In light of this finding, Silver named Annette Chambers-Smith, former director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, to take over as receiver effective Oct. 19. Arguments on Both Sides Clement argues receivership should be the last resort and that Silver moved to it too quickly. He asserts that the department has made measurable progress, including growing its health care staffing by more than 50%, expanding substance-use treatment access, and adopting a new care model. Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project, which represents the roughly 25,000 people incarcerated in Arizona prisons, called the department's request a "Hail Mary" and said Silver had given the department years of opportunities to comply before ordering receivership. What Happens Next The Supreme Court has not yet set a deadline for the plaintiffs to respond to the stay request. Separately, the 9th Circuit is now reviewing the merits of the receivership order itself. The department filed its opening brief on Sept. 15, and the plaintiffs' response is due Oct. 15. Information in this article was sourced from the Arizona Mirror .