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