In a major step toward better health care for Arizonans, on Feb. 22, the Arizona Board of Regents approved the creation of a new medical school at Arizona State University, which will open its doors to future doctors in the fall of 2026.

“ASU’s innovative medical and engineering program is poised to cultivate world-class physicians and securing a healthier future for our families and our state,” said ABOR Chair Fred DuVal. “This is a noteworthy achievement for the AZ Healthy Tomorrow initiative and will enhance access to care for all Arizonans.”

ASU’s new medical school is a component of AZ Healthy Tomorrow, the board’s bold initiative that aims to rapidly increase Arizona’s healthcare workforce. Northern Arizona University announced plans to establish a new medical school in northern Arizona and grow its role as a national leader in nursing and allied health programs, while the University of Arizona will double its medical school graduates and expand its partnership with Banner Health to create a fully integrated academic medical center.

With an innovative approach to physicians’ training, the ASU’s School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering is designed to allow simultaneous completion of two degrees approved by the board today – doctor of medicine (M.D.) and a master’s degree in medical engineering.

The M.D. degree integrates clinical medicine, biomedical science and engineering to prepare future doctors to address complex health-care problems. The medical engineering degree coalesces biomedicine, engineering and health-care technology to create doctors, researchers and entrepreneurs who are adept at developing transdisciplinary health-care solutions.

Research and academic programs at the new school will leverage current clinical partnerships and develop new ones to deliver medical education and solutions that improve patient and health-care outcomes.

These graphics provide at-a-glance information about the broad scope and outcomes of the AZ Healthy Tomorrow initiative.