The University of Arizona College of Medicine is the only MD

Doctor of Medicine

Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...

 granting medical school

Medical school

A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...

 in the state of Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

. It has two campuses: the Tucson campus is located at the Arizona Health Sciences Center and University Medical Center, and the Phoenix

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...

 campus is located at the historic Phoenix Union High School

Phoenix Union High School

Phoenix Union High School was the main high school for Phoenix, Arizona, at 7th Street and Van Buren Avenue. It closed in 1982 amidst declining enrollment, along with East High School and West High School. It is the namesake of the still-extant Phoenix Union High School District.The mascot was the...

 campus as part of the Translational Genomics Research Institute

Translational Genomics Research Institute

The Translational Genomics Research Institute , is a non-profit genomics research institute established in 2002 by Jeffrey Trent, the founding Scientific Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute , in Phoenix, Arizona, United States.TGen seeks to employ genetic discoveries to improve...

. It is associated with the University of Arizona

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...

, and is governed by the Arizona Board of Regents. Traditionally, the college accepted Arizona residents exclusively, however in Fall 2009 the school changed its policy to allow "highly-qualified" non-residents.

History

The school was founded in 1967 with a class of 32 students on its Tucson campus.

In 1974, the University of Arizona received $5.5 million USD from the Arizona state legislature to renovate its football stadium. A provision of this legislation (ARS 15-1630) prohibited University Medical Center from performing abortions (unless the mother's life is in jeopardy) or teaching its medical students abortion

Abortion

Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...

 procedures. This legislation is still in effect, and could potentially impact every public medical school in Arizona, making Arizona the only state which prohibits the teaching of abortion in public universities. To address this issue, Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...

 implemented a rotation for obstetrics

Obstetrics

Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...

 and gynecology residents to receive abortion training. Interested residents and medical students have the ability to utilize such resources to study the medical and surgical procedures of abortion. Second and third year Ob/Gyn residents have scheduled time available to pursue training. Medical students may pursue training on an elective basis.

In 2004, the Arizona Board of Regents and the Arizona Legislature

Arizona Legislature

The Arizona Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Senate. There are 60 Representatives and 30 Senators...

 approved a plan to expand the medical school to a second, downtown Phoenix campus. The plan includes a rare and historic collaboration between the University of Arizona and Arizona State University

Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...

, and a partnership with the neighboring Translational Genomics Research Institute

Translational Genomics Research Institute

The Translational Genomics Research Institute , is a non-profit genomics research institute established in 2002 by Jeffrey Trent, the founding Scientific Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute , in Phoenix, Arizona, United States.TGen seeks to employ genetic discoveries to improve...

. The 16 acres (64,749.8 m²) campus, centered around the renovated Phoenix Union High School buildings, will eventually be expanded to include students from the College of Pharmacy

University of Arizona College of Pharmacy

The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy is the pharmacy school of the University of Arizona, a public university in Tucson, Arizona. The college is the only college of pharmacy at an public university in Arizona, and one of two colleges of pharmacy in the state. In fall 2010, there were 387...

, buildings for research, as well as an academic hospital. The first 24 students arrived in the fall of 2007, and the program is planned to be expanded to 150 students in the future, more than doubling the number of MD physicians graduating in the state each year.

As of 2008, the college has graduated 3,000 students.

On April 2, 2010, ASU withdrew its partnership with UA for the Phoenix campus, due to state budget cuts.

Education

The standard curriculum is a four-year program which currently graduates approximately 110 students per year. The inaugural class for the Phoenix campus had 24 students, which graduated in 2011. Enrollment at the Phoenix campus will ultimately be increased to 150 per class, and currently trains 48 students per class.

Grades in the first two years are pass/fail. In the last two years, students may choose to do clinical clerkships in either the Tucson or Phoenix area hospitals. Grading in the last two years is Pass/Fail/Honors. This system is based on the curriculum of other schools like Stanford. Curricular highlights include traditional lecture in addition to small group work including case-based learning and team learning. Also, students are paired up with physician-mentors and practice their clinical skills with patients weekly. The college also awards MD/MPH, MD/PhD, and MD/MBA joint degrees.

Curriculum

University of Arizona Medicine (Tucson) Curriculum
Prologue & Foundations Includes introduction to behavioral science, cell biology Cell biology Cell biology is a scientific discipline that studies cells – their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they contain, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. This is done both on a microscopic and molecular level... , dermatology Dermatology Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails.... , immunology Immunology Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. It deals with the physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and diseases; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders ; the... , physiology Physiology Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or... , embryology Embryology Embryology is a science which is about the development of an embryo from the fertilization of the ovum to the fetus stage... , histology Histology Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...  and pathology Pathology Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling.... Nervous System Includes gross anatomy Gross anatomy Gross anatomy is the study of anatomy at the macroscopic level. The term gross distinguishes it from other areas of anatomical study, including microscopic anatomy, which is studied on a microscopic scale, typically with a microscope.... , physiology Physiology Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or... , pharmacology Pharmacology Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function... , radiology Radiology Radiology is a medical specialty that employs the use of imaging to both diagnose and treat disease visualized within the human body. Radiologists use an array of imaging technologies to diagnose or treat diseases... , histology Histology Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...  and pathology Pathology Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling.... Musculoskeletal System Includes gross anatomy Gross anatomy Gross anatomy is the study of anatomy at the macroscopic level. The term gross distinguishes it from other areas of anatomical study, including microscopic anatomy, which is studied on a microscopic scale, typically with a microscope.... , physiology Physiology Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or... , radiology Radiology Radiology is a medical specialty that employs the use of imaging to both diagnose and treat disease visualized within the human body. Radiologists use an array of imaging technologies to diagnose or treat diseases... , histology Histology Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...  and pathology Pathology Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling.... Cardiovascular, Renal and Pulmonary Systems Includes embryology Embryology Embryology is a science which is about the development of an embryo from the fertilization of the ovum to the fetus stage... , gross anatomy Gross anatomy Gross anatomy is the study of anatomy at the macroscopic level. The term gross distinguishes it from other areas of anatomical study, including microscopic anatomy, which is studied on a microscopic scale, typically with a microscope.... , physiology Physiology Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or... , pharmacology Pharmacology Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function... , radiology Radiology Radiology is a medical specialty that employs the use of imaging to both diagnose and treat disease visualized within the human body. Radiologists use an array of imaging technologies to diagnose or treat diseases... , histology Histology Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...  and pathology Pathology Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling.... Digestion, Metabolism, & Hormones - Part I Includes embryology Embryology Embryology is a science which is about the development of an embryo from the fertilization of the ovum to the fetus stage... , gross anatomy Gross anatomy Gross anatomy is the study of anatomy at the macroscopic level. The term gross distinguishes it from other areas of anatomical study, including microscopic anatomy, which is studied on a microscopic scale, typically with a microscope.... , physiology Physiology Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or... , histology Histology Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...  and pathology Pathology Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling.... Doctor & Patient Includes physical exam and patient interviewing	Digestion, Metabolism, & Hormones - Part II Includes biochemistry Biochemistry Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes... , pharmacology Pharmacology Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function... , physiology Physiology Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or... , histology Histology Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...  and pathology Pathology Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling.... Immunity and Infection Includes immunology Immunology Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. It deals with the physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and diseases; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders ; the... , pharmacology Pharmacology Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function... , histology Histology Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...  and pathology Pathology Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling.... Life Cycle Includes embryology Embryology Embryology is a science which is about the development of an embryo from the fertilization of the ovum to the fetus stage... , gross anatomy Gross anatomy Gross anatomy is the study of anatomy at the macroscopic level. The term gross distinguishes it from other areas of anatomical study, including microscopic anatomy, which is studied on a microscopic scale, typically with a microscope.... , physiology Physiology Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or... , histology Histology Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...  and pathology Pathology Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling.... Advanced Topics & Cancer Biology Doctor & Patient Includes physical exam and patient interviewing	Required clerkships Internal medicine Internal medicine Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes... Surgery Surgery Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical... Women’s health Pediatrics Pediatrics Pediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician... Psychiatry Psychiatry Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities... Neurology Neurology Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue,... /rehabilitation Family medicine Family medicine Family medicine is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. It is a division of primary care that provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family across all ages, sexes, diseases, and parts of the body... Electives

The curriculum, recently changed in 2005 and implemented starting from Class of 2010, is block-based with students rotating through each of several organ systems for a period of time, and receive a grade in each block based on several competencies. Each block is roughly 4-12 weeks. Block based system integrates traditional subjects such as biochemistry

Biochemistry

Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...

, physiology

Physiology

Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...

, gross anatomy

Gross anatomy

Gross anatomy is the study of anatomy at the macroscopic level. The term gross distinguishes it from other areas of anatomical study, including microscopic anatomy, which is studied on a microscopic scale, typically with a microscope....

, pharmacology

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function...

, pathology

Pathology

Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....

, etc. into different organ systems as opposed to the traditional curriculum where those subjects are taught separately.

Admissions and Rankings

Admissions to University of Arizona College of Medicine is very competitive with over 2000 applicants applying to each of the campuses. Applicants compete for 115 spots in Tucson and 48 spots in Phoenix. Beginning Fall 2010 cycle, both campuses decided to accept extremely qualified out of state applicants with a cap of 25% of the incoming class. Starting Fall of 2012 cycle, this cap was raised to 50%, due to the increase of number of seats in Phoenix campus to 80 students. The College of Medicine, along with most of the medical schools across the country, does not allow international students to take classes unless recommended by a faculty of the college and approval from the Dean under very special circumstances.. The average GPA and MCAT for the Class of 2015 was 3.65 and 30.68 respectively.. Starting from the Fall 2011 cycle, AMCAS separated the application process between Phoenix and Tucson, allowing students to apply for these campuses separately.

In 2011 U.S. News and World Report ranked University of Arizona College of Medicine at #51 in the U.S. for primary care

Primary care

Primary care is the term for the health services by providers who act as the principal point of consultation for patients within a health care system...

 and ranked #71 for research. University Medical Center, a nationally ranked academic hospital, was ranked #40 in Cardiology

Cardiology

Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...

 & Heart Surgery and #46 in Geriatrics

Geriatrics

Geriatrics is a sub-specialty of internal medicine and family medicine that focuses on health care of elderly people. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults. There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatrician, or...

. The College of Medicine ranked #7 among the nation's medical schools for Hispanic students, according to Hispanic Business Magazine.

Tucson campus

Years	Dean
1964—1971	Merlin K. DuVal
1971—1973	Jack M. Layton (acting)
1973—1974	Merlin K. DuVal (acting)
1974—1977	Neal A. Vanselow
1977—1987	Louis J. Kettel
1988—2001	James E. Dalen
2001—2002	William S. Dalton
2002—2003	Kenneth Ryan (acting)
2003—2008	Keith A. Joiner
2008—2009	Steve Goldschmid (acting)
2009—Present	Steve Goldschmid

Phoenix campus

Years	Dean
2007—2008	Edward H. Shortliffe Edward H. Shortliffe Edward Hance Shortliffe, MD, PhD is a Canadian-born American biomedical informatician, physician and computer scientist. Dr. Shortliffe is a pioneer in the use of artificial intelligence in medicine...
2008—2009	Stuart Flynn (acting)
2009—Present	Stuart Flynn

Faculty

The University of Arizona is home to numerous noted faculty, such as Dr. Andrew Weil

Andrew Weil

Andrew Thomas Weil is an American author and physician, who established the field of integrative medicine which attempts to integrate alternative and conventional medicine. Weil is the author of several best-selling books and operates a website and monthly newsletter promoting general health and...

.