b'I n a significant move with far-reaching implications for Arizona, HonorHealth and Arizona State University forged a groundbreaking alliance that marks a new era in medical education and healthcare innovation. HonorHealth is the new primary clinical affiliate for the recently formed ASU School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineeringmarking the beginning of a transformative relationship: a new medical school grounded in cutting-edge artificialStudents wont just intelligence (AI), real-world clinical immersion and a bold commitment to community health in practice andstudy medicinetheyll physician retention.Amid physician shortages in Arizona, burnout and ahelp shape itpost-pandemic reckoning of healthcare gaps, both the hospital system and the university realized anPRIYA RADHAKRISHNAN, MD, FACPopportunity to leverage their similar missions ofVP, Chief Academic Officer, HonorHealth innovation and accessible community health.Vice Dean, Clinical Affairs & GME, ASU School of Planned to open its doors in fall 2026, The ASU School ofMedicine and Advanced Medical EngineeringMedicine and Advanced Medical Engineering is unique in its design. Medical students will not only focus on medicine but also on healthcare technology today and the future. Students will graduate with both a doctoral degree in medicine and a masters degree in medical engineering. The design is one of transformative educationINNOVATION AT THE COREthat supports the demands of future healthcare needs andThe curriculum is being built from the ground up redefines a new vision for what it means to be a physician,to prepare doctors for a fast-changing world. It while ensuring the humanism and empathy that is neededincludes:for the practice of medicine. where students Longitudinal clinical clerkshipsThrough this collaboration, we aim to cultivate thepartner with clinicians from their first year, observing next generation of physicians who are committed toreal patient care tied directly to what theyre learning improving the health of our community and who providein class.compassionate care that will transform lives of Arizonansthat will explore Engineering-focused trainingfor generations, said Todd LaPorte, HonorHealth CEO,applications such as wearable devices for chronic in his announcement of the landmark agreement. disease management, robotics in surgery, AI-assisted Priya Radhakrishnan, MD, FACP, vice president and chiefdiagnostics and sensor technologies.academic officer for HonorHealth, will also serve as the vice ) used in Patient avatars and extended reality (XRdean of clinical affairs and graduate medical education forboth student learning and patient education.the new school of medicine.The physician shortage isnt comingits here,Students wont just study medicinetheyll help shapeDr. Radhakrishnan states. We want to train a dynamic it, she explains. Our physician engineers, throughworkforce that will dig roots here and continue to their training, will tackle real clinical problems usingelevate the caliber of healthcare while also creating engineering-based solutions. Its about creativity, curiosity,a physician workforce prepared for the future of compassion and working together for the best outcomes.healthcare.HonorHealth Foundation Magazine 5'