Abrazo Health Network Program

The Abrazo Internal Medicine Residency Program is a distinguished three-year training program based in Glendale, Arizona, accommodating 45 residents with an incoming class of 15 new residents each year. This program was inaugurated in June 2019 and aims to provide comprehensive training that focuses on both clinical excellence and community service.1

Program Overview

The program emphasizes collaboration among residents, faculty, and staff as they serve the community. The mission is derived from a commitment to equipping residents with the necessary skills to provide care universally, irrespective of the location or circumstances. Core values include unopposed training, strong procedural skills, quality improvement, evidence-based medicine, and grassroots innovation.1

Curriculum and Training

Residents experience a robust curriculum structured around a 4+1 model for continuity clinic training. Residents will rotate in specialty training for four weeks, followed by one week dedicated solely to continuity clinic experiences. The clinics operate between the Abrazo Arrowhead campus and Abrazo West campus, where residents are assigned for the entire duration of their residency.1

The program offers elective opportunities that allow residents to tailor their educational experience towards their specific career goals, using advanced electronic medical records to enhance learning.1

Didactics and Learning Opportunities

Didactic elements include a monthly academic half-day focused on various internal medicine subspecialties, morning reports, monthly grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conferences, and a monthly journal club.1

Training Sites

Residents gain clinical experience across several Abrazo Health campuses, including the Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, the Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital—known for its focused cardiac and vascular specialties—and the Abrazo West Campus, recognized for its emergency and trauma services.1

Research and Resources

The program facilitates 24-hour access to Midwestern University’s library resources for research and has partnerships that grant residents access to a simulation lab equipped with various training tools including mannequins and task trainers.1

Resident Amenities

Residents also benefit from educational spaces dedicated to learning, complete with computer stations, safe call rooms, and meal provisions during shifts, including access to a physician’s lounge.1

Salary and Benefits

The annual salary for residents is structured as follows: $54,539 for the first year, $57,155 for the second year, and $59,966 for the third year. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, a retirement plan, lab coats provided by the hospital, and vacation allowances of 21 days annually, in addition to six paid holidays.4

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit their applications through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). The program accepts applications exclusively from U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Communications regarding interviews will be conducted via email after the application review process. This residency also participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).2

Visa Support

The program provides visa sponsorship for applicants holding J-1 visas, which is particularly relevant for international medical graduates seeking residency positions in the U.S.1

Competitiveness and Special Requirements

While the program is competitive, it is considered friendly towards DO and IMG applicants. There are specific requirements regarding previous postgraduate year (PGY) experiences; typically, applicants should not have exceeded a maximum of one failed attempt on the USMLE Step exams.2

Residency Faculty

The faculty comprises experienced professionals including the Program Director and multiple Associate Program Directors, ensuring a rich learning environment for all residents.3