University of Arizona outlines tuition‑free, three‑year Yuma medical campus to address rural primary‑care shortage

Dean Frederick Wandersburg of the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix presented the committee with plans for a new regional medical campus in Yuma, saying the program is designed to tackle a projected shortage of primary care physicians in rural Arizona.

Wandersburg said the accelerated, tuition‑free three‑year program will enroll 15 students per year, split into 18 months of preclinical training in Phoenix and 18 months of clinical training in Yuma. He described Yuma as both highly socially vulnerable and under‑resourced for primary care, and said the extended training period in a rural community increases the likelihood graduates will remain to practice there.

The dean said the Arizona Board of Regents has endorsed the three‑year model and that the program will include on‑site leadership, teaching faculty and full scholarships for the selected students. He added the program, launched in collaboration with Anvita Health, is admitting students now and is scheduled to open this summer.

Committee members asked how the program selects students and whether out‑of‑state applicants are eligible. Wandersburg said all applicants may apply through standard admissions processes but candidates who express an interest in rural training write an essay and participate in discussions to assess commitment; there is no contractual obligation to remain in rural Arizona after graduation.

Wandersburg framed the initiative as a retention strategy: "The longer you train in a place, the more likely you are to stay in a place," he told the committee.

The committee did not take a vote on the presentation. The dean offered to answer follow‑up questions from members and to coordinate further details on the campus rollout.