U of A, Gila River Health Care Launch Nation's First Tribal Medical School Branch for MD Candidates
New campus will train physicians inside a tribally operated healthcare system, targeting the rural and Tribal physician shortage.
A First-of-Its-Kind Partnership
The University of Arizona and Gila River Health Care recently announced a partnership to open the country's first medical school branch for MD candidates located on the lands of a sovereign Tribal Nation. The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Regional Medical Branch in Sacaton will admit 10 students annually starting in July 2027 through a three-year, accelerated primary care program.
How the Program Works
- Students receive full tuition scholarships funded by Gila River Health Care.
- The first 18 months of foundational education take place in Phoenix.
- The final 18 months of clinical training happen in Sacaton, inside the Gila River Health Care system.
- Primary care residency programs at Gila River Health Care are also under exploration.
- Gila River Health Care has committed more than $25 million through 2034 to fund faculty positions, scholarships and infrastructure for the branch.
Addressing a Growing Shortage
Arizona ranks among the ten worst states in the country for primary care access. As the state's population continues to grow rapidly, targeted investments in the physician workforce are critical for supporting high-quality patient care, especially in rural and Tribal communities. U of A leaders say its new program, which will help trainees establish strong connections with local communities, is a proven, long-term method for expanding the physician pipeline and supporting rural healthcare.
Part of a Broader Strategy
The Sacaton branch builds on a similar community-based medical education partnership the University of Arizona announced last year with Onvida Health in Yuma. Leaders from both organizations say they expect more partnerships of this kind to shape the future of medical education across the state.
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 alongside it. Medical schools across our state, including the University of Arizona, are educating the next era of compassionate, forward-looking physicians. However, without the graduate medical education funding our state needs to meet workforce demands, these talented trainees have limited opportunities to live and work in Arizona, where their expertise is needed.
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.
Source: University of Arizona and Gila River Health Care
Photo Credit: Chris Richards/University of Arizona Communications
