Arizona Health Education Alliance NEW

Four impressive partners. One exceptional alliance.

The Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance is a collaborative framework that brings together academic and clinical partners to advance health sciences education, clinical learning environments, research and teaching. Through this partnership, learners across multiple disciplines—including medical students, residents, fellows, nurses, allied health professionals and others—benefit from shared expertise, infrastructure and training opportunities. 

Valleywise Health

Preparing Healthcare Providers for the Challenges Ahead

Arizona ranks in the bottom third of the nation for physicians per 100,000 people. As one of the country’s fastest-growing states, Arizona faces increasing demand for physicians and other health professionals to serve an aging population and new generations of residents. 

The Arizona Health Education Alliance addresses this need by strengthening and expanding residency and fellowship programs across partner institutions and providing the infrastructure, support and resources that elevate those training experiences. The Alliance aims to train exceptional health professionals distinguished by our focus on justice in healthcare, service to others and an innovative interprofessional environment.  

Residencies and Fellowships

We offer 17 residency and fellowship programs in the Valley. Our residents and fellows are selected from top medical schools across the United States and around the world. They receive training in programs known for advanced medical education, scholarly activity and a dedication to collaborative, compassionate, patient-centered care. With a diverse patient population, residents and fellows encounter meaningful opportunities to improve health outcomes locally, statewide and nationally. 

Clinical Rotations

The Arizona Health Education Alliance coordinates student clinical rotations across partner institutions in Arizona, supporting learners from affiliated schools as they complete required clinical training. Alliance members work collaboratively to provide supervised, high-quality learning environments that prepare students for professional practice while strengthening the regional healthcare workforce. Rotations occur at mission-driven healthcare organizations, including Valleywise Health and Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.

The Alliance Partners

Creighton University

Creighton University is a nationally ranked and recognized institution that delivers a leading health sciences education. Its interprofessional approach reflects the future of clinical care and is an extension of its classroom teaching. The School of Medicine is committed to preparing students for the medical opportunities and challenges in patient care, teaching, research and service. The College of Nursing has a national reputation for excellence in providing nursing education, a commitment to service, and being at the forefront of the ever-changing field of nursing. The School of Pharmacy and Health Professions has a rich tradition and history of being a pioneer in educating occupational therapists, pharmacists and physical therapists. 

Valleywise Health

Valleywise Health has a proud tradition of being both the community safety net healthcare system, with a mission and commitment to serving the underserved and Arizona’s only public teaching hospital. Valleywise Health consists of Valleywise Health Medical Center, the only Level I Trauma Center in Arizona verified by the American College of Surgeons to care for both adults and children, Arizona’s only nationally verified Burn Center serving the entire Southwestern U.S., Valleywise Health’s McDowell Healthcare Center, which is the largest provider of HIV primary care in Arizona, the Refugee Women’s Health Clinic, the Arizona Children’s Center, two behavioral health centers, and 13 neighborhood Family Health Centers. 

District Medical Group, Inc. (DMG)

DMG is a not-for-profit entity consisting of more than 650 credentialed providers representing all the major medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. Professional clinical services encompass all physicians and mid-levels staffing a 450-bed acute hospital, a 200-bed psychiatric hospital, a large diagnostic center, 11 family health centers, a nationally and internationally recognized burn center and numerous outreach programs. DMG serves AHCCCS Complete Care patients and their families at the DMG Children’s Rehabilitative Services, a first-of-its-kind multispecialty interdisciplinary clinic (MISC) in Phoenix. More than 95% of DMG physicians are board certified in over 25 specialties. 

Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center

St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center is part of Dignity Health, which recently merged with Catholic Health Initiatives to form the largest Catholic healthcare system in the country. St. Joseph’s is a nationally recognized center for quality tertiary care, medical education and research. It includes the internationally renowned Barrow Neurological Institute®, the Norton Thoracic Institute, Center for Women's Health and a Level I Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons. The hospital is also a respected center for orthopedics, internal medicine, primary care and many other medical services. Founded in 1895 by the Sisters of Mercy, St. Joseph’s was the first hospital in the Phoenix area. 

Dignity Health Medical Group (DHMG)

DHMG, an affiliate partner, comprises more than 200 physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives. Its support staff of more than 500 covers a wide variety of specialties. With 30 practice sites and four hospitals interspersed throughout metro Phoenix, it provides more than 20 subspecialty services. DHMG physician faculty take their academic commitment seriously, staying up-to-date on the latest medical information and procedures in order to ensure that students and residents have the best experience possible.  

Leadership

The Arizona Health Education Alliance is led by Executive Director, Erica Brown, and our Governing Board. The board is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating the Alliance strategic plan for nurturing optimal clinical and academic learning environments. It also provides strategic direction on policy, budgetary and infrastructure matters.

Governing Board Members

  • Michael D. White, MD, MBA – Chair: Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Valleywise Health
  • Robert "Bo" Dunlay, MD – Vice Chair: Dean, Creighton University School of Medicine
  • Mardell Wilson, EdD, RDN: Provost, Creighton University
  • Steve Purves: President and CEO, Valleywise Health
  • Tim Bricker: President for the Dignity Health Southwest and Midwest Division
  • Douglas Ross, MD: President for St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
  • Kote Chundu, MD: President and CEO, District Medical Group (DMG)
  • David Wisinger, MD: Chief Medical Officer, District Medical Group (DMG)
  • Randy Pritza, MD: System Senior Vice President, Physician Enterprise, Central Region 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why was the Alliance established?

Since 2011, Creighton University School of Medicine has built an excellent reputation and strong presence in Phoenix. That longstanding commitment created an opportunity for Alliance members to collaborate with a respected academic partner, helping attract top-caliber faculty and students to residency and fellowship programs. It also expanded access to advanced training opportunities for medical professionals currently practicing in the state. 

How does the Alliance help the people of Arizona?

The collaborative organization focuses on expanding advanced medical training, accelerating research and advocating for medical education resources. Its goal is to prepare new generations of physicians, nurses and allied health professionals to improve health outcomes. With Arizona ranking in the bottom third nationally for physicians per capita, metro Phoenix and the state need more healthcare professionals and more high-quality local training opportunities.

What role does the Alliance have in Creighton University’s Health Sciences Phoenix Campus?

Creighton University is solely responsible for its Health Sciences Campus in Phoenix but Alliance goals complement those schools and colleges. Alliance member institutions will benefit from the pipeline of future healthcare professionals trained by Creighton faculty, and Creighton benefits from Alliance programs that provide residencies, fellowships, clinical rotation primacy and other training opportunities for Creighton health sciences learners.

Will this partnership impact current teaching and research relationships in health education?

Although the member institutions have primary responsibility to Creighton learners, both Valleywise and St. Joseph’s are committed to continuing to support training opportunities for students from other schools and colleges. Similarly, collaborations in research are expected to grow.

How is the Alliance funded?

Each core member of the Alliance contributes to the operation. This funding covers staffing, facility leasing and other general operating expenses.

How many residents and fellows train at Alliance member institutions?

More than 345 residents and fellows within 18 different specialties and subspecialties currently train at member institutions. 58 percent of our graduates remain in Arizona upon the completion of their training. 

Close SidebarClose Sidebar