File photo of a hospital hallway.
The University of Arizona is launching a new, accelerated three-year medical degree program designed to help address Arizona’s urgent shortage of primary care physicians. Approved by the Arizona Board of Regents earlier this month, the new program will be offered at both the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson and the College of Medicine – Phoenix, making them the first medical schools in the state to offer a three-year MD track.
University officials say the program will allow students to complete the same rigorous core coursework and clinical clerkships required in the traditional four-year pathway—but in a condensed timeline. By removing elective rotations and transition-to-residency coursework typically completed in the final year, the accelerated degree allows graduates to enter the workforce a full year earlier. That means reduced student debt and, critically, more doctors available to serve Arizona communities sooner.
The move comes as Arizona struggles to meet just 39% of its current primary care physician needs. Experts estimate the state needs 600 more doctors right now and could require up to 2,000 by 2030 as the population grows.
At the Tucson campus, the program was developed by Dr. Kristen Rundell and emphasizes competency-based education with a clear path toward family medicine residency. Leaders say it will be particularly impactful in rural, tribal, and underserved communities.
In Phoenix, students will engage in early clinical immersion and receive direct mentorship from faculty in primary care residency programs—part of a broader mission to train future physicians across 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties.
University Provost Patricia Prelock called the regents’ approval “a major step forward” in improving access to health care across the state.
“This innovative, competency-based program will benefit patients as well as physicians who are passionate about the practice of primary and community care,” added Dr. Michael Abecassis, dean of the College of Medicine – Tucson.
The first group of 36 students is expected to begin this fall. The new curriculum joins other initiatives—including the Primary Care Physician Scholarship—as part of the university’s effort to grow Arizona’s health care workforce and improve health outcomes statewide.
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