Welcome Letter from Chief Residents
We are honored to serve as the Internal Medicine–Pediatrics Chief Residents for the 2026–2027 academic year. What makes our program special is, undoubtedly, the people - our residents, faculty, and staff - who show up every day with curiosity, compassion, and a genuine commitment to each other. Our goal as chiefs is to build on that foundation by continuing to create a program where every resident feels supported, heard, and excited to grow.
Over the past year, we have had the opportunity to help implement several meaningful, resident-driven changes. We have introduced a modified X+Y structure on the Pediatrics side, which has shortened inpatient rotations to four weeks and brought our schedules closer in line with our categorical peers. In addition, we reworked the four-year schedule to ease some of the intensity of the first two years and introduce electives sooner. We also made an intentional change to reduce continuity clinic demands during inpatient rotations, helping protect both resident wellness and patient care. These changes were imagined and advocated for by residents, and the support from our faculty has made it clear that our voices truly matter here.
At the heart of our program, we strive to cultivate thoughtful clinicians and confident educators. We have designed our monthly journal clubs and clinical reasoning curriculum to engage residents as both learners and educators in a safe and supportive space. These sessions actively engage residents in critically appraising current literature while strengthening their diagnostic reasoning and teaching skills.
Our community extends well beyond the hospital. We are proud of our partnership with the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and the Pathway Scholars Program, where our residents serve as mentors and role models for future physicians. In addition, we have built meaningful clinical experiences with Indigenous communities across Arizona, which not only broaden our training but deepen our understanding of the patients and communities we serve.
We believe strongly that taking care of patients starts with taking care of ourselves and each other. We are committed to fostering a culture that prioritizes wellness, encourages personal and professional growth, and makes space to reflect on the humanity of medicine. Our med-peds family is often our greatest source of support as we go through residency, and we care committed to maintaining our culture of compassion, kindness, and understanding with each other. We believe that excellence and kindness are not mutually exclusive, and we strive to foster a community where both are expected and modeled every day.
Med-Peds attracts people who are curious, adaptable, and deeply committed to caring for patients across all stages of life. We feel incredibly lucky to train alongside individuals who bring those qualities every day. This is a program where people genuinely look out for one another, where your voice is valued, and where you will be challenged, supported, and inspired.
We are proud of what we are building here in Phoenix and would be excited to share more about our program with you. Please do not hesitate to reach out, so we can connect!
— Nikita Patel, MD , Elizabeth Dorchuck, MD , Eric Chang, MD