Class of 2023 at Abrazo Health runs gamut of medical field expertise
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Abrazo Health’s first class of emergency medicine residents, who trained at Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital and other Abrazo hospitals in the Valley, were among the health network’s graduate medical education program Class of 2023.
Graduation ceremonies were held in Scottsdale June 10, according to a press release.
Physicians from Abrazo’s Class of 2023 also include internal medicine and family medicine residents who are now entering the workforce.
“Arizona’s need for physicians is well documented and we are very proud of these residents. They will now go into the community as the next generation of physicians and healthcare leaders,” said Dr. Akil Loli, an interventional cardiologist and designated institutional official for graduate medical education at Abrazo Health.
“It’s a big investment, but with big rewards, as research shows that upwards of 50 percent of residents establish roots in the communities where they are trained,” said Dr. Loli. Graduate Medical Education programs reflect Abrazo’s support of teaching and research in its hospitals across the greater Phoenix area.
Class of 2023 at Abrazo Health runs gamut of medical field expertise
Abrazo Health began educating primary care physicians in 1978 through its Family Medicine residency at Abrazo Central Campus as many of those physicians continue to practice in the Valley, officials there say.
Internal Medicine and General Surgery residences were added in 2019 at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, followed by emergency medicine and transitional year residencies in 2020. Cardiovascular disease and infectious disease fellowships were added in 2022 and 2023.
“We have 109 residents and two fellows in training at Abrazo hospitals. It is important for Abrazo to help meet present and future needs for physicians in Arizona. As a Phoenix native whose father was a medical resident in this community, I fully understand the importance of investing in medical education,” added Abrazo Health CEO Brian Elisco. “I want to say congratulations to the entire graduating class of 2023, and thank you for entrusting us with your training.”
Abrazo’s residencies and fellowships are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Local physician leaders actively engage in developing curriculum with hands-on training to suit community needs while meeting high quality and patient safety standards.
Residencies play an important role in addressing the need for more physicians in the community, noted Abrazo Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. William Ellert.
“Residency is a very important part of a young physician’s development, and it’s well-documented that residents tend to develop roots in communities where they train,” he said. “It’s an investment in the future of healthcare in Arizona.”
