University of Arizona, Onvida Health Partner on New Rural Medical School Branch

January 7, 2026

University of Arizona, Onvida Health Partner on New Rural Medical School Branch in Yuma

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and Onvida Health recently announced a partnership to establish Arizona's first rural regional medical school branch in Yuma County.

Beginning in July, the program will offer a three-year primary care pathway leading to a medical degree, with clinical training based entirely at Onvida Health facilities. Up to 45 students committed to careers in internal medicine, family medicine, or pediatrics will be admitted over the first three years — 15 students per year — each receiving full-tuition scholarships funded by Onvida Health.

Students will complete the first 18 months of foundational science education in Phoenix, then transfer to the Yuma branch for 18 months of clinical training across eight core specialties. The program can support up to 300 rotations annually.


Addressing Arizona's Critical Workforce Needs


Arizona currently needs approximately 500 additional primary care physicians to meet healthcare demands, according to the Arizona Graduate Medical Education Policy Brief. Nearly 70% of communities designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are in rural regions.

Yuma County has been identified as a shortage area since 2013. Onvida Health's existing Family and Community Medicine Residency Program has graduated 65 family medicine residents since 2013, with 34% choosing to remain in the community — demonstrating the effectiveness of localized training in addressing rural workforce gaps.

UA COMP and Onvida Health's partnership in medical education aims to bolster the success and retention of the system's local residency program.


Onvida's Investment in Medical Education



Onvida Health is committing $32.9 million over eight years to fund scholarships and support the development of the regional branch, ensuring program sustainability while reinforcing community-centered medical education.

The partnership builds on more than a decade of collaboration between Onvida Health and the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix as clinical training affiliates, creating a pathway from medical school through residency training to clinical practice opportunities in Yuma County.

Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital Launches Largest Expansion in Its History

By Admin User • August 7, 2026
Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital Launches Largest Expansion in Its History Investment Expands Inpatient and Procedural Capacity to Meet Rising Demand for Cardiovascular Care The Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix announced last week that it is undertaking the largest expansion in its history. The new construction will add inpatient and procedural capacity to serve more Arizonans in need of heart and vascular care. Meeting Arizona's Growing Demand for Heart Care Abrazo explained that the expansion is necessary to support Arizona's continued population growth, which is driving increased demand for cardiovascular services. The added capacity will allow the hospital to not only treat more patients requiring cardiac, vascular, and critical care, but also continue its participation in clinical research and innovation.  Part of a Multi-Year Investment Strategy In its press release, Abrazo describes the expansion as the latest phase of ongoing, multi-year investments intended to advance care and meet the evolving healthcare needs of communities across the state. The hospital did not report an anticipated completion date for the project. Source: Abrazo Health

Arizona Erases $1 Billion in Medical Debt for Nearly 671,000 Residents

By Admin User • August 7, 2026
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