In the midst of a public health crisis, 102 graduating medical students learned today they will be entering residency programs at two prominent Phoenix teaching hospitals through the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance.

“They are entering Arizona’s healthcare workforce at a time when we need them more than ever,” said Dr. Michael White, Chief Clinical Officer for Valleywise Health and a member of the Creighton Alliance.  “These soon-to-be physicians will play a large role in the delivery of medical care in Arizona as we continue to battle COVID-19.”

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“The pandemic highlights the critical value of medical and graduate medical education and training in Arizona,” he said.

The residents will train at Valleywise Health and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, the state’s longest running physician training programs. Both institutions started their residency programs in 1952 and today are part of the Creighton University Health Education Alliance with Creighton University and District Medical Group.

The 102 residents come from across the country and include eight from the Creighton University School of Medicine Phoenix Regional Campus and two from the Omaha campus. They will train in specialties ranging from emergency medicine to psychiatry. Other specialties include family medicine, internal medicine, ob-gyn, general surgery, radiology and podiatry.

The culmination of years of study and hard work, Match Day usually is a giant celebration with medical students from across the country opening their envelopes at the same time to learn where they will train. While the pandemic disrupted traditional celebrations, the Creighton University Medical School in Omaha and Phoenix still found ways to keep the positive energy flowing.

In virtual events this morning, students received their residency assignments and shared their excitement with family and friends.

“As you go forth to perform lives of service to others, I want you to know how proud we are of you as a group,” Dr. Robert Dunlay, Dean of the Creighton University School of Medicine, told the students.

Dr. Michael Kavan, Associate Dean for Student Affairs at Creighton University School of Medicine, said 100 percent of Creighton’s medical students matched to residency programs.

“As many know, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted students nationally as they were limited in the number of away electives they could participate in and they were required to participate in virtual versus live interviewing with residency programs. Despite this, Creighton University School of Medicine (CUSOM) students did very well in the match – matching into impressive specialties and prestigious programs throughout the country,” Kavan said.