The University of Arizona and Gila River Health Care have announced a partnership that will create the first MD-granting medical school branch on sovereign Tribal Nation land in the United States.
GRHC is the Gila River Indian Community’s tribally operated healthcare system.
The announcement says, “The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Regional Medical Branch in Sacaton, Ariz., is designed to educate future physicians within a Tribal healthcare system while strengthening access to care in Tribal, rural and medically underserved communities. Beginning in July 2027, 10 students will be admitted annually to the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix’s three-year MD-granting Primary Care Accelerated Program at the Gila River Branch. Students will receive full tuition scholarships funded by GRHC. They will complete the first 18 months of their foundational medical education in Phoenix before relocating to Sacaton for the final 18 months of clinical education.”
GRHC has committed more than $25M to create and support the Regional Medical Branch, including support for staffing, student scholarships and educational infrastructure.
A local news outlet reported GRHC plans to build an 11.8KSF facility on its campus to house the school.
The program serves the dual goals of expanding educational opportunities and addressing the chronic shortage of skilled primary care providers in Native communities.
The announcement says, “The U.S. continues to face persistent physician shortages, particularly in rural and Tribal communities. Arizona ranks No. 42 in the nation for primary care access, and its rapidly growing population has intensified the demand for primary care physicians. Research shows that physicians are more likely to practice where they train, making community-based medical education a proven strategy for strengthening Arizona’s long-term healthcare workforce.”
UA has a similar partnership in Yuma with Onvida Health that seeks to expand primary care-oriented doctors in less urban areas. The Regional Medical Branch in Yuma adds 15 students each year.