New Arizona Residency Program

[Doc Samson]

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Hi Folks,

Thought that folks currently applying for residency might be interested in this news:

We are excited to introduce a new ACGME-accredited psychiatry residency program scheduled to begin in Summer 2008 – sponsored by The University of Arizona/UPHK Graduate Medical Education Consortium (UA/UPHK).

This innovative residency program will offer both the benefits of experienced faculty and established psychiatry services of The UA College of Medicine as well as the individualized attention and support of a smaller community hospital. One of seven new residencies in Tucson, Arizona, the UA/UPHK psychiatry residency program will have a strong focus on community and public sector psychiatry.

Residents will be based at University Physicians Hospital, a dynamic facility with 64 inpatient psychiatric beds and a growing number of medical and surgical services providing diversified learning experiences. Additionally,

-UPH Hospital has the largest number of psychiatric inpatient beds in Tucson and the only geropsychiatry unit and psychiatric emergency room in the city.

-The county contracts with UPH to evaluate involuntary patients, and mental health court-ordered treatment hearings are conducted on the hospital campus.

-The inpatient psychiatry service works closely with community mental health agencies and treats patients with the most severe mental illnesses.

-In just two years, a new 100-bed psychiatric hospital will be built on the UPH Hospital campus.

Residents at the UA/UPHK psychiatry program will also practice in a busy outpatient psychiatry clinic located just a few miles away at University Medical Center. Residents will benefit from extensive supervision from the psychiatry faculty as well as collaboration with residents from the UA psychiatry program. Didactics and Grand Rounds will also be shared between both programs, creating a stimulating learning environment from a synergistic sharing of resources.

The Program is accepting applications for three PGY-1 and three PGY-2 positions to start in July 2008

 

[MIHS]

Very interesting news. Where did you find that press release? I tried to google it with no success. Thanks.

 

[Doc Samson]

Very interesting news. Where did you find that press release? I tried to google it with no success. Thanks.

It's not a press release, it's part of a letter sent to applicants that had already applied to the existing U of A program. ERAS is in the process of adding the program to their list, but if you'd like to get in touch with the PD to express interest, PM me and I'll get you his contact info.

 

[MIHS]

It's not a press release, it's part of a letter sent to applicants that had already applied to the existing U of A program. ERAS is in the process of adding the program to their list, but if you'd like to get in touch with the PD to express interest, PM me and I'll get you his contact info.

I won't need to apply, fortunately residency is now in the rear view mirror 👍. However, it is interesting to me geographically. Is this just an expansion of the U of A program or will it be a completely separate residency?

 

[Doc Samson]

I won't need to apply, fortunately residency is now in the rear view mirror 👍. However, it is interesting to me geographically. Is this just an expansion of the U of A program or will it be a completely separate residency?

It's a separate residency, but shares didactics and the outpatient clinic with the current U of A program.

 

[Wichitan]

would you happen to know if they will accept/sponsor any visa and/or accept any IMG's?

thank you for the information.

W.

 

[sedonaredrock]

Hi! 3rd year MS at MUSC in Charleston, SC here. I have decided on a career in Psychiatry and really want to do my residency out in AZ. The news about this new residency program is very exciting. I was wondering if anyone on this thread could inform me on the pros and cons of each AZ psych residency. Right now U of A sounds like the best bet, but I am still interested in learning what others have to say. Thanks for your help!!!

Robert Glenn
Charleston, SC

 

[Doc Samson]

Hi! 3rd year MS at MUSC in Charleston, SC here. I have decided on a career in Psychiatry and really want to do my residency out in AZ. The news about this new residency program is very exciting. I was wondering if anyone on this thread could inform me on the pros and cons of each AZ psych residency. Right now U of A sounds like the best bet, but I am still interested in learning what others have to say. Thanks for your help!!!

Robert Glenn
Charleston, SC

If you're looking for a program with an academic tie, that limits you to the two Tucson programs (which are U of A both sponsored) - if you're coming into town to interview, they'll be more than happy to accomodate you in terms of seeing both programs so that you can compare/contrast yourself. In short, the newer program (UA/UPHK) is more community oriented, with a significant increase in exposure to the seriously mentally ill - UPHK is effectively the only hospital in town that takes involuntary patients, is the largest psychiatric hospital in southern AZ, and has the only psychiatric ER in town. That said, the two programs share the central outpatient clinic and a common didactic schedule.

If you're not so concerned with the academic tie, that opens Phoenix as an option. I'm aware of two programs there - Maricopa (a county hospital) and Good Samaritan (a private general hospital). I'm not very familiar with either.

 

[Doc Samson]

would you happen to know if they will accept/sponsor any visa and/or accept any IMG's?

thank you for the information.

W.

I believe the official policy is that IMGs will be considered on a case by case basis.

 

[sedonaredrock]

Could anyone give me a hint as to how competitive the AZ psych residencies are? Does anyone have any knowledge as to how many US seniors apply to these residencies each year? How many get interviews?

 

[sedonaredrock]

I am interested in being trained in psychotherapy (CBT, family therapy, etc.) during my residency. Which AZ residencies are best equipped for my interest?

 

[kstotes]

Just thought I'd weigh in as an AZ native that has since left the valley for med-school and am in the process of applying to all the AZ programs.

First, it should be emphasized that the Banner Good Sam is now an "academic-tied" program. In the last few years there has been a move to make U of A (Tucson) and Az St.(Tempe/Phoenix) research powerhouses and use community colleges as the undergraduate academic centers. The result has been a huge push toward research in Phoenix. With that they just opened a new allopathic med school in Downtown Phoenix. It is a branch of U of A, but Banner Good Sam is the dedicated teaching hospital and their first class will hit rotations this coming summer. This is an exciting opportunity to get in on the ground floor for anyone interested in an academic career. I really feel that if this conversation were had in 10-20 years, Good Sam will be the strongest program in the state- it is a hospital in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Az St.'s abundant brand-new research facilities will be available, the city has an EXTREME need for psychiatrists thereby offering excellent salaries all meaning an unprecedented ability to bring in top physicians from around the country as attendings. I also imagine Good Sam will add fellowships in the years to come- great interview question.

That said, then there is the Tucson v. Phoenix debate. Tucson is nice, better weather (10-15 deg cooler), great community-suburb feel, excellent place to raise a family. U of A is an excellent program with excellent faculty. But at the end of the day... it's Tucson. Phoenix is devoid of culture... Tucson is worse. The new program is exciting, especially b/c they will take outside the match. However, I warn against not giving Phoenix a first look. I just think there are more opportunities to be had.

Oh and if you speak Spanish... you can virtually write your own ticket in Phoenix or Tucson, HUGE HUGE HUGE need.

 

[sedonaredrock]

Hablo no espanol. Will not speaking Spanish fluently hurt one's chances of getting a spot at U of A or any other AZ residency???

 

[sedonaredrock]

I know some competitive programs throw out applicants with board scores below 220. Does anyone know if any of the AZ programs are that strict in their selection process?

 

[kstotes]

I promise they do not throw out apps if you are under 220 or anywhere near. As for the spanish, it basically becomes like anything else-- they say its a plus but far from a requirement... but given how many people in AZ are PURELY spanish speaking, it can make an "eh" applicant far more attractive. I guess its one of those things that does help, but wont hurt if you don't. I'm sure they provide medical spanish to residents so you can counter the question of whether you speak spanish with a willingness to learn.

 

[Doc Samson]

The UA/UPHK Graduate Medical Education Consortium program has now been added to ERAS, so if you're interested, go ahead and apply.