Internal Medicine
Housestaff training in internal medicine at the University of Arizona originated in 1972. Since then, we’ve graduated more than 700 physicians trained in all aspects of primary care. We consider this training experience to be highly competitive and successful. Residents learn the fundamentals of inpatient medicine while caring for patients on the general medical wards and in state-of-the-art intensive care and cardiac care units. The experience is broadened by ample exposure to ambulatory medicine. We also enjoy one of Arizona’s highest board passage rates.
Our program saw major changes in 2003-04, 2010-11 and 2014-15. The first date involved the merging of the UA Internal Medicine Residency Program with the Tucson Hospital Medical Education Program to become the UA-Tucson Hospitals Internal Medicine Residency Program. The second related to the merger of University Medical Center with University Physicians Healthcare to create the University of Arizona Health Network (UAHN) and the UA Internal Medicine Residency Program – University Campus and a sister South Campus program at the former Kino Hospital. The third involved the merger of UAHN with Banner Health to create the Banner – University Medicine Division, which now oversees clinical operations at the Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and Banner – UMC South hospitals in Tucson, the UArizona Cancer Center Peter and Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic, Banner – University Medicine North and multiple other outpatient clinic sites across Tucson and Southeastern Arizona.
These welcome mergers carried the addition of an increased number of housestaff as well as more variety in inpatient and outpatient experiences, and the addition of many dedicated faculty. Along with other community partners such as the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System, residents are now able to care for patients in a range of settings: a University hospital, VA medical center, a community hospital in addition to various outpatient clinical operations.
Goals & Facilities
Residents are expected to focus on three major goals — education, clinical skills and research excellence. Research opportunities are plentiful and encouraged. Our intent is to provide the necessary background for the successful practice of medicine and to allow growth and interest in clinical and basic sciences research at an early stage in training. To accomplish this, three major teaching facilities are utilized: Banner – UMC Tucson, the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System, and Tucson Medical Center. In addition, outpatient continuity clinic experiences are available at Banner – UMC Tucson, SAVAHCS as well as with specialty and general practice groups and community physicians.
Observerships
Neither our program nor the College of Medicine – Tucson sponsor observerships. Physicians in our program are affiliated with specific divisions within the Department of Medicine. Any observerships would need to be coordinated with the support of an individual Banner physician through the Banner Volunteer Office.
See our Highlights webpage and others in this section to learn more about our program.