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INNOVATING HEALTH, IMPACTING LIVES
At the University of Arizona, health means more than medicine. From future doctors and nurses to pharmacists, physical therapists, physician assistants, and public health leaders, we’re delivering on our promise – training the people who care for our communities, and solving the biggest health challenges of our time.
Research With Impact
At the University of Arizona, bold ideas begin with passionate people. From advancing non-opioid pain treatments to improving mental health outcomes and public health policy, our researchers are developing bold, data-driven solutions that are improving lives in Arizona and shaping the future of care worldwide. Meet the people who are making a difference – one breakthrough at a time.
Brain & Behavior
Treating Parkinson's
Psychologists Abhilasha Vishwanath and Stephen Cowen are exploring how low-dose ketamine may help restore motor control by realigning brain activity – offering new hope for patients with Parkinson's.
Understanding Grief
Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor is uncovering how grief changes the brain, helping people understand the biology of loss and what healing really looks like.
Regenerative & Immune Health
A New Approach to Immunotherapy
Dr. Deepta Bhattacharya is using stem cells to rebuild parts of the immune system – a discovery that could change how we treat everything from chronic disease to cancer treatments.
Light-Based Therapies
Non-Opioid Pain Relief
Dr. Mohab Ibrahim's studies on green and blue light show how a simple therapy could ease chronic pain – no pills required.
Personalized Care, Informed by Experience
Proactive Alzheimer's Solutions
Dr. Roberta Brinton explores how hormonal changes and brain aging intersect – especially in women – to unlock new strategies for Alzheimer's prevention.
Epilepsy Care
Doctoral student Angel-Grace Charity Leslie studies neuroinflammation in the brain to better understand neurological disease. As a Diné scholar and mentor, she also mentors Native students in neuroscience.
Transforming Healthcare in Arizona – and Beyond
The University of Arizona established the state’s first pharmacy school in 1947, laying the foundation for innovations in health sciences education, pioneering research discoveries and transformative care. Wildcats have had a profound impact on the course of health history.
1967
Arizona’s First Medical School
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson is established with a first class of 32 students, laying the foundation for a network of health sciences programs across the state.
1976
A Home for Cancer Care
The University of Arizona became a hub of innovation and collaboration with the founding of the Cancer Center, spurring clinicians and scientists to explore personalized cancer care and translational research
1979
Revolutionized CPR & Cardiac Care
Doctors at the U of A Sarver Heart Center performed the first heart transplant in Arizona. Later, they pioneered continuous chest compression CPR (without breaths), doubling a person’s chance of survival after cardiac arrest and reshaping national guidelines.
1981
Health Access in Rural Arizona
Founded as the Rural Health Office, the Center for Rural Health leads statewide efforts to improve care in underserved areas by supporting hospitals, clinics, and conducting trainings that serve Arizona’s rural and border communities.
1985
Introducing Integrative Medicine
The University of Arizona becomes a national leader in whole-person health with the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, bridging the gap between conventional and healing-oriented medicine.
2007
Expanding Medical Education
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix welcomed its first class in 2007, expanding medical education into Arizona’s largest city. Today, the college continues to train future physicians to address critical healthcare needs and strengthen Arizona’s medical workforce.
2015
A Partnership for Better Care
Arizona partners with Banner Health on a 30-year academic affiliation agreement, expanding access to top-tier clinical training for students and cutting-edge care for patients throughout the state.
2024
Developed a Vaccine Candidate for Valley Fever
Since 1996, the Valley Fever Center for Excellence has worked to improve education and patient care for Valley fever. Today, they are developing the world’s first fungal vaccine for humans – building on a promising canine vaccine candidate.
“People who struggled with basic sentences before treatment were writing meaningful, grammatically correct sentences after.”
— On breakthrough language disorder therapy
Engagement With Our Communities – Impact That Starts Local
As Arizona’s land-grant university, the University of Arizona is committed to serving the state and its people. That means training health professionals who stay in Arizona, launching service-learning programs, and embedding research and clinical support in the communities that need them most.
Fighting the Opioid Epidemic
Through the Overdose Data to Action State Program (OD2A-S), the University of Arizona is leading statewide efforts to combat opioid misuse. Public health teams provide naloxone training and overdose prevention resources across Arizona, equipping communities with lifesaving tools and data-informed strategies.
Supporting Rural Hospitals Statewide
Through the Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, the University of Arizona works with critical access hospitals to improve quality of care, emergency services, and financial sustainability. This statewide effort helps ensure that lifesaving care remains available in rural and frontier communities.
Partnering with Tribal Nations
From mobile clinics to public health outreach, University of Arizona Health Sciences collaborates with tribal communities to improve health outcomes. These partnerships honor tribal sovereignty, prioritize culturally informed care, and help reduce disparities across Indigenous populations in the Southwest.
Success for Every Student
Whether you’re called to clinical care, public health, research, or policy, the University of Arizona offers real-world experience at every step. Here’s how Wildcats turn passion into impact.
Academic Pathways Across Health Fields
Interdisciplinary learning prepares future professionals to think collaboratively and solve real-world challenges. With programs spanning medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and integrative medicine, students can explore every dimension of health.
Hands-On Experience from Day One
Students gain experience beyond the classroom through clinical rotations, research assistantships, and simulation labs. From hospitals to health tech labs, opportunities are built into every stage of an Arizona education.
Preparing for a Health-Focused Career
Advising, mentorship, and professional development help students prepare for careers in health care, research, and beyond. From MCAT prep to alumni networking, the University of Arizona supports every step toward a successful, health-focused future.
Serving the Community
Student-run clinics, mobile health units, and outreach programs offer care to those who need it most. Whether volunteering with migrant health services or assisting at free clinics, Wildcats make a difference while they learn.
"We’re targeting cognitive symptoms to prevent further degeneration from occurring. By going down the protective route, we can hopefully prevent cognitive decline from continuing."
— On treating cognitive decline or dementia in Parkinson’s disease
Five Colleges. Endless Health Pathways.
From molecular science to mental health, the University of Arizona’s five health-focused colleges are preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders.
College of Medicine – Tucson
As the state’s first medical school, the College of Medicine – Tucson leads in education, research, and compassionate care. Students train in top-tier labs and clinical settings while learning to serve communities across Arizona and beyond.
College of Medicine – Phoenix
Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, the College of Medicine – Phoenix offers hands-on training in one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, students are prepared to meet the healthcare needs of today and tomorrow.
College of Nursing
The College of Nursing prepares Wildcats for every stage of nursing, from bedside care to advanced practice and research. Graduates lead with knowledge, empathy, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes.
Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
Dedicated to health equity, prevention, and community well-being, this college trains future leaders in public health and healthcare. It now houses the School of Health Professions, expanding interdisciplinary education and career pathways across the health sciences.
College of Pharmacy
One of the top pharmacy schools in the country, the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy teaches students to be leaders in medication therapy, research, and health technology. Graduates are advancing patient care across Arizona and beyond.
WHERE DISCOVERY MEETS COMPASSION
From the Sonoran Desert to the frontlines of global health, the University of Arizona is answering the call to care. Whether you’re here to study medicine, investigate disease, or uplift communities, this is where your impact begins.
