PHOENIX — Arizona State University is planning to open a new medical school, and they just announced that it will be located in downtown Phoenix.
The exact location for ASU Health, including the medical school, has yet to be determined. The new facilities will include a School of Medicine, as well as a School of Public Health Technology.
“The citizens of Phoenix have been an important investor in higher education, science technology and medicine in downtown Phoenix," said university president Michael M. Crow. "We are looking forward to working with Mayor Gallego, the city council and city leaders to create something that will enhance the entire health care ecosystem and be of service to the entire state. This is the right place to advance that work.”
ASU's downtown Phoenix already includes the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, and the university's College of Health Solution. More than 12,000 students attend the nine colleges and units that make up that campus.
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“At a time when the Phoenix bioscience industry is booming, and when the need for highly trained medical professionals is at an all-time high, it’s a big deal that ASU has chosen downtown Phoenix for their newest venture,” Mayor Kate Gallego said.
Arizona currently ranks near the bottom of U.S. states in key health system performance indicator. According to ASU, we're 32nd overall, 44th in terms of access and affordability, and 41st in prevention and treatment.
The state's population is rapidly growing -- and aging -- and experts say we're facing a shortage in almost every healthcare profession. ASU isn't the only university taking steps to address the shortage. Northern Arizona University also has plans to open a medical school.
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