Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert expand their medical staff

Hospital care for people living in Tempe and West Chandler is taking another step into the future with the expansion of a graduate medical education residency program at two East Valley hospitals. Now in its second year, the program adds 33 future physicians to the hospital network’s existing pool of residents, bringing the total to 52 once they complete their training.

The program trains residents in the fields of emergency medicine, internal medicine, family medicine and general surgery. Obstetrics and gynecology will be added next year. Mark Slyter, president and CEO of Dignity Health Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers, said:

“Like East Valley, Dignity Health’s GME residency program is growing, “This is driven by a combination of a rapidly growing population in the City of Chandler and the Town of Gilbert, a need for more physicians to serve this growing population in the community, and an overall demand to help fill the physician shortage in the healthcare industry.”

Roger Bies, MD, FACC, FSCAI, designated institutional officer for the Dignity Health East Valley GME Program, praised the program’s expansion, citing its promise for further growth in hospital care.

“This is a new generation of physicians who have the unique opportunity to help build our residency program as the future leaders of our training program and future providers for our community,” he said.

In the inaugural 2023-2024 academic year, Dignity Health East Valley welcomed 28 residents in the fields of general surgery, family medicine, and internal medicine. During the first year, the fourth residency initiative (emergency medicine) received accreditation to begin its program from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. This is good news for Arizona’s healthcare workforce. While programs like East Valley’s GME work to expand, there is a critical need for more healthcare professionals. The Arizona Board of Regents estimates that by 2030, the healthcare sector will have a shortfall of 23,300 healthcare professionals.

Residents are now rotating through Dignity Health Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers. They also train at facilities throughout Arizona, including Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Dignity Health Research Institute, Phoenix Children’s and various simulation labs. Some residents will experience life as a rural physician at HuHuKam Memorial Hospital in the Gila River Indian Community and at Fort Defiance Medical Center on the Navajo Nation.

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