Program Highlights

Program Strengths

  • Clinic first model: curriculum designed to emphasize ambulatory training and prepare residents in advanced models of providing high quality, evidence-based, longitudinal primary care. 
  • Innovative educational initiatives and curriculum including a longitudinal experience that provides training in population health, quality improvement, patient safety, advocacy and leadership. 
  • Diverse patient population and clinical pathology.
  • Robust inpatient training: As one of the largest and most comprehensive facilities in Arizona, Banner Desert Medical Center serves as the tertiary referral center for the East Valley of metropolitan Phoenix and rural communities to the south. 
  • Strong pediatrics: Banner Desert Medical Center is home to Banner Children’s, which is comprised of a state-of-the-art 206-bed pediatric inpatient unit and pediatric emergency room. 
  • Excellent obstetrics: Banner Desert Medical Center has over 3,300 deliveries annually, including high-risk and is paired with a 76-bed level III NICU. 

Residents as Teachers and Leaders

Leadership and teaching skills are central to an excellent family physician. Our program seeks to foster those skills through mentorship, didactic, and exposure. 

  • Medical Student Leadership: Program director, Jake Anderson, DO, is the Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) faculty co-advisor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. A two-time FMIG Program of Excellence winner, the college FMIG provides many opportunities for mentoring students through panels, procedure workshops and leadership experiences. We aim for our residents to become expert teachers of medical students. 
  • University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix GME PIE (Programs of Individualized Education) programs designed to provided residents with enhanced skill development and taught by subject matter experts. 

Scholarly Activity

Scholarly activity can come in many forms: we strive to support residents in developing their own passions, whether it be through quality improvement, research, writing or podcasting. 

  • Our program co-hosts the nationally recognized and award-winning American Family Physician Podcast.  
  • Residents have the chance to develop and lead local quality improvement efforts.
  • Institutional support and resources including through events like the annual U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix Academic Excellence Day.

Other Highlights

  • Family medicine education at Banner Desert Medical Center is a part of a strong community of residents and fellows, including Banner Desert Internal Medicine Residency Program (starting 2025), as well as our other University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix residency programs in downtown Phoenix and the West Valley.  
  • Wellness focus: in addition to planned retreats, resident wellness events, and scheduled personal health time half-days, residents enjoy access to a dedicated psychologist for free appointments and well as a generous benefits package including 100% paid medical and dental coverage for you+ dependents, $10,000 lifetime infertility benefit, paid vacation, and sick time, 4% 401K match after one year of service and more.