University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix Program

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix offers acomprehensive OB/GYN residency program that is fully accredited bythe Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME),with an impressive track record of no citations since the last sitevisit in 2011. The program accepts nine residents annually andprovides opportunities to work alongside fellows in Maternal FetalMedicine and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, enhancing theeducational experience in a collaborative environment1.

Application Process

The residency program accepts applications exclusively through theElectronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), requiringapplicants to be registered with the National Resident MatchingProgram (NRMP). Applicants must present a valid passing score oneither the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) orthe Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination(COMLEX) Step 1. While the completion of USMLE Step 2 or COMLEXLevel 2 is encouraged at the time of application, several otherdocuments are also required, including a medical school transcriptand a minimum of three letters of recommendation, with at least twofrom OB/GYN professionals 2.

For candidates who completed medical school outside the U.S.,additional criteria include a successful ECFMG certification and atleast one year of clinical training in a teaching hospitalaffiliated with a residency program in the U.S. Applicants musthave graduated within the last two years and cannot have anyfailures in the USMLE exams. Notably, the program does not offervisa sponsorships, although J-1 visas are considered2.

Curriculum and Rotations

The residency curriculum encompasses a diverse range of rotations,including core areas like Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal-FetalMedicine, Labor and Delivery, and OB Ultrasound. Fourth-yearstudents can engage in rotations from June through March, andapplications for these rotations must be submitted through theVisiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) 3. Theprogram also encourages residents to explore elective and selectiveblocks, supporting local, regional, and international experiences4.

Research Opportunities

Every resident is mandated to complete a research project duringtheir training. The program fosters projects in various interestareas, with a strong emphasis on quality improvement. Support forthese research endeavors is provided by the department's researchcoordinator, and funding is available for residents to presentfindings at regional and national conferences 4.

Training Sites

Residents primarily train at Banner – University Medical CenterPhoenix, which serves as both a clinical home and the flagshipfacility for the Banner Health network. This site boasts over 600beds, 100 OB/GYN physicians, and an annual census of 5,000 births.Additionally, residents gain exposure at various affiliatedhospitals, including Banner Desert Medical Center, Banner EstrellaMedical Center, Phoenix Children's Hospital, and the Phoenix VAMedical Center, providing a well-rounded experience across diverseclinical settings 5.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program emphasizes resident wellness and work-life balance,with administrative time off for fellowship interviews, conferenceattendance, and USMLE exams. Each resident accrues 20 days of paidtime off per year along with financial support for travel toconferences and reimbursement for exam expenses 4.Furthermore, the program features an Integrative Medicine inResidency curriculum, allowing residents to explore complementaryand alternative treatments, enhancing their education and skills4.

Residency Culture

The mission of the residency program is to create an inclusiveenvironment that mirrors the diverse community served by theinstitution, fostering both professional development andcamaraderie among residents. Involvement in leadership and advocacyroles within organizations like ACOG and CREOG is also encouraged,providing residents with additional opportunities for growth5.