Matthew Campanella with his parents at the Class of 2023 Match Day
Matthew Campanella with his parents at the Class of 2023 Match Day

Commencement Profile: Matthew Campanella

Thomas Kelly
Thomas Kelly
Matthew Campanella with his parents at the Class of 2023 Match Day
Matthew Campanella with his parents at the Class of 2023 Match Day
Campanella’s work on the U.S.-Mexico border, witnessing the struggles of underserved communities, inspired him to pursue medicine

On Monday, May 8, the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix will hold its 13th Commencement. Led by a pipe and drum corps, the Class of 2023 will process through downtown Phoenix, finishing at the Arizona Financial Theatre for their official ceremony. The day marks the beginning of the next phase in their journey as physicians. The college profiled a series of graduating students to commemorate the milestone.

Meet Matthew Campanella

Campanella with fellow soon-to-be graduate in the Class of 2023 Sara Yee
Campanella with fellow soon-to-be graduate in the Class of 2023 Sara Yee
Matthew Campanella grew up in South Jersey/Philadelphia and then lived in California for 12 years before coming to the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. For him, Los Angeles is “home,” but he has absolutely loved living in Phoenix for the past four years and anticipates returning.

Campanella is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University (LMU), where he studied film production. After graduating and prior to deciding to pursue medicine, he worked as an investigative reporter and documentary filmmaker.

As he heads into his emergency medicine residency, he is thankful for the support of his parents (Carolyn and Al) and siblings (David and Elizabeth), as well as his “chosen family” — Alex, Rachel and his core group of friends in L.A.

Path Toward Medicine

What was the spark that led you to become a physician?

I have worked on the U.S.-Mexico border for the past 16 years and have witnessed abominable disease, trauma, poor access to care, and horrific border deaths in migrant and underserved communities. That is what started me on my journey to medicine at age 25. It was the best decision I ever made, and the challenges and rewards on the journey have been exhilarating.

Match Day

On Match Day, what was it like discovering where you were headed for residency?

Campanella with medical school classmates
Campanella with medical school classmates
Match day was very surreal! It all came so fast. I was nervous but being with my parents and seeing their joyful reactions is what I remember the best! I matched at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California, where I volunteered before medical school. I was dead set on going there, so I am thrilled and excited!

What’s Next?

What excites you most about your upcoming residency? Where are you headed?

Meeting my co-interns and joining the hospital community; serving the patient population and becoming a skilled physician in a world-class EM training program; my new home; being with my other half; and getting to explore a new city!

The College of Medicine – Phoenix Culture

Looking back, what’s your favorite medical school memory?

Hands-down, it was starting the Migrant Health Interest Group with my friend Rebecca Paxton, a fellow Class of 2023 graduate-to-be, and all the fun we had together — such as the three Tijuana trips!

About the College

Founded in 2007, the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix inspires and trains exemplary physicians, scientists and leaders to advance its core missions in education, research, clinical care and service to communities across Arizona. The college’s strength lies in our collaborations and partnerships with clinical affiliates, community organizations and industry sponsors. With our primary affiliate, Banner Health, we are recognized as the premier academic medical center in Phoenix. As an anchor institution of the Phoenix Bioscience Core, the college is home to signature research programs in neurosciences, cardiopulmonary diseases, immunology, informatics and metabolism. These focus areas uniquely position us to drive biomedical research and bolster economic development in the region.

As an urban institution with strong roots in rural and tribal health, the college has graduated more than 1,000 physicians and matriculates 130 students each year. Greater than 60% of matriculating students are from Arizona and many continue training at our GME sponsored residency programs, ultimately pursuing local academic and community-based opportunities. While our traditional four-year program continues to thrive, we will launch our recently approved accelerated three-year medical student curriculum with exclusive focus on primary care. This program is designed to further enhance workforce retention needs across Arizona.

The college has embarked on our strategic plan for 2025 to 2030. Learn more.