Our program remains committed to training physicians dedicated to working in underserved communities locally in Arizona and throughout the United States. We have expanded our rural health community rotations across the state and as far as Alaska. These are unique opportunities to work with Med Peds faculty who have strong community connections caring for patients of all ages. Some of our newer rotations have expanded into local indigenous communities allowing residents to experience healthcare in a unique cultural setting.
- Wrangell, Alaska – A small island in Alaska with available on-site housing. Dr. Sanoe Harrison, an alumnus of our program and a Pediatric Endocrinologist, leads the rotation. Residents work both in the office and the local emergency room, treating patients of all ages.
- Show Low, Arizona – Dr. Brett Brewer, an alumnus of our program, serves as a primary care Med Peds physician in his hometown. He treats patients of all ages in his office and rounds on patients and newborns at the local hospital.
- Payson, Arizona – Ponderosa Family Care, a Med Peds group practice, includes three alumni of our program: Dr. Judith Hunt, Dr. Alan Michels, and Dr. Lauren Washatka. They care for patients of all ages in both their office and Payson Banner Health hospital. Residents can rotate here for an elective or a rural continuity clinic in their 4th year, with on-site housing available. This rotation offers a unique experience with home visits, patient follow-ups, and newborn care.
- Neighborhood Christian Clinic – Led by Dr. Paul Lorentsen and Dr. Andrea Morley, both Med Peds physicians, this clinic provides urgent and primary care to the uninsured in downtown Phoenix. Residents can rotate here to serve many underserved Spanish-speaking families with a spiritual focus.
- VA Medical Center, Prescott, AZ – Internal medicine inpatient and ambulatory rotations are available, with on-site housing provided at the Prescott VA. The faculty includes alumni from our Internal Medicine program.
- Gila River, AZ – Gila River Health Center serves the Akimel O'odham (Pima) and the Pee-Posh (Maricopa) indigenous tribes in Sacaton, AZ. They have a community hospital with an emergency room, subspecialty clinics and 2 community clinics located in Chandler and Laveen. This provides a unique opportunity to work in an ambulatory setting in internal medicine, pediatric and subspecialty clinics while engaging with community members to learn more about their culture. Our alumnus Dr. Monica Viteri-Giordano works in their Red Tail Hawk Health Center and coordinates a unique elective clinical experience. We are exploring options for continuity clinic experiences for residents interested in primary care.