Interdisciplinary Training of Future Physician Scientists

Enter the text here that is the new abstract information for your application. This section must be no longer than 30 lines of text. Our mission within the UA COM-T, MD-PhD Program is to develop a pool of highly trained physician-scientists who have the aptitude to utilize clinical experience in developing biomedical hypotheses that integrate the research skills learned in our program. We intend to have all trainees independent, productive and rewarding physician-scientist careers. This program has established 6 objectives that include; 1) dual-degree completion rates at >97% with an appropriate time-to-degree (7.3 yrs on avg.), 2) the integration of research and clinical activities, 3) nurture a broad understanding of biomedical disciplines, 4) foster and encourage the development of good scientific premise, rigorous-research design, strong experimental methods with reproducibility/validation, as well as skills to analyze and interpret results/outcomes amid ethics and integrity, 5) build proficiency in initiating, conducting, interpreting, and presenting rigorous and reproducible biomedical research with increasing self-direction, while strengthen skills to teach and communicate, and 6) advancing the knowledge, professional skills, and experiences required to identify and transition into productive careers in the biomedical research workforce that utilize the dual-degree training. UACOM-T MD-PhD Program offers a wide range of biomedical disciplines for trainees with 13 graduate programs available and over 60 faculty trained and excited to be mentors. Our rationale for an NIH-MSTP is the desperate need for the increase in Physician-Scientists in the state of AZ; a population that is rapidly growing and aging with multiple medical and research needs. AZ continues to increase its ability to attract both academics and biomedical industries that are advancing the care for those who suffer from things like dementia, arthritis, diabetes and cardiovascular issues. These industries and academic institutions are at great need for training and hiring physician scientists. The University of Arizona’s continual growth in the biomedical sciences places UArizona’s projections as one of the top of all Research I, AAU-member institutions in the southwest. Hence, the UA COM-T is a perfect institution to serve and uphold the goals and intentions of the MSTP by increasing the number of physician scientists. The current MD-PhD program has been funded entirely by support from the institution resulting in a small but overall, very successful cohort of physician scientists with past trainees in academic positions at Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Baylor, OHSU, Scrips, etc. Our program has established a comprehensive 7-year training plan that reduces unnecessary redundancies, utilizes evidence-based medicine training, integrates clinical and research over all 7 years while creating and encouraging a vibrant climate.