Northwest Healthcare's GME Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Residency Programs Mentor and Coach the Next Generations of Doctors in Pima County




Match Day for Resident Physicians is March 20, 2026

 

Northwest Healthcare’s GME Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Residency Programs Mentor and Coach the Next Generation of Doctors in Pima County

 

TUCSON, AZ (March 12, 2026) – Match Day, the celebratory occasion when graduating medical students learn which residency program they have matched with, falls on Fri., March 20 – and Northwest Healthcare is looking forward to welcoming a group of new doctors who match with our Graduate Medical Education (GME) program.

 

For patients, a strong local residency program is vital to short- and long-term health outcomes. For physicians (M.D.s or D.O.s) at the beginning of their careers, residency program training – led by experienced and invested faculty physicians – is vital to long-term career success.

 

“When I started residency, I thought I had a good idea of what being a physician required,” says former resident, Vijay Nethala, M.D. “This program quickly showed me there is always another level of growth waiting. The learning curve was real, the standards were high, and the expectations pushed me to become more thoughtful, more decisive, and more resilient.
 
“Along the way, I learned that medicine is truly a team sport,” Dr. Nethala continues. “My co-residents became friends, my attending physicians became mentors, and our patients became our greatest teachers. There were challenging days, humbling moments, and plenty of lessons that will stay with me for life. It shaped not only how I practice medicine, but how I lead, communicate, and care for people during their most vulnerable moments.”

 

Only one of every five American hospitals is accredited teaching hospital (Arizona has fewer than 10). Northwest Healthcare is proud to have not just one, but three teaching hospitals (Northwest Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center Houghton, and Oro Valley Hospital) in our system.

 

“Our GME program’s three divisions – Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and the Transitional Year Program – are designed to expand access to medical education and access to care for patients in Southern Arizona,” says GME Family Medicine program director Dr. Lyndsey Kramp, M.D.  “We are proud to support our new cohort of resident physicians as they set and accomplish their professional goals.”

 

Our Internal Medicine cohort has its first graduating class this year – these graduates will be the first class to complete the entire three years of the program. Soon, the entire GME program will have 79 residents, many of whom will go on to fellowship training.

 

March is Women’s History Month, and women became the 50%+ majority of GME trainees in the United States during the 2024–25 academic year (women comprise roughly two-thirds of the residents at our GME program).

 

To learn more about career paths for female physicians, join Dr. Kramp, General Surgeon Dr. Anyul Ferez-Pinzon, M.D., and Colorectal Surgeon Dr. Jessica Stephens, M.D., at the Physician Panel: Women in Medicine, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wed., March 18, at the Arizona Sands Club. Click here to reserve your free spot at the event.

 

For more information about the GME program, please visit https://www.nwtucsongme.com/

 

Source: American Hospital Association; https://www.aha.org/


About Northwest Healthcare        

Northwest Healthcare is an integrated healthcare provider committed to delivering Tucson and surrounding communities with high quality, accessible healthcare. Northwest Healthcare includes four hospitals: Northwest Medical Center, Oro Valley Hospital, Northwest Medical Center Sahuarita, and Northwest Medical Center Houghton; two Northwest Emergency Centers in Vail and Marana, Northwest Urgent Cares with more than 15 urgent care locations to serve Southern Arizona, Northwest Women’s Center, Northwest Primary & Specialty Care clinics, Northwest Tucson Surgery Center, Tucson Surgery Center, a Skilled Nursing Facility, and Northwest Transitions, an inpatient rehabilitation facility. To learn more, visit HealthierTucson.com. 

Northwest Healthcare offers Live Healthy, a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at https://www.healthiertucson.com/enewsletter-sign-up


Back-to-School: Southwest Gas Partners with Schools, Colleges, and Nonprofits to Open Doors for the Next Generation

September 9, 2026
Programs help students build skills, explore careers, and prepare for the future PHOENIX — Across Southwest Gas’ service territory in Arizona, the company and the Southwest Gas Foundation are partnering with schools, colleges, and nonprofit organizations to support students through essential resources, hands-on learning, safety education, mentorship, scholarships, and career training. “Our employees live and work in the communities we serve, so supporting local schools and programs is personal to us,” said Justin Brown, President and CEO of Southwest Gas. “By working alongside trusted partners, we can help students feel better prepared, explore their interests, and see greater possibilities for their future.” Programs and partnerships across Southwest Gas’ service territory in Arizona include: · Arizona Educational Foundation’s (AEF) teachSTEM Program Since 2024, the Southwest Gas Foundation has supported the AEF’s teachSTEM program. The program provides educators with hands-on STEM training, resources, and mentorship, while inspiring students to explore and pursue STEM careers. The program has reached more than 5,000 students, 78% of whom attend Title I schools. · Energy Safe Kids with the National Energy Foundation (NEF) For nearly 30 years, Southwest Gas has partnered with the NEF to promote energy education and safety awareness in schools. Through the Energy Safe Kids program, elementary and middle school teachers receive curriculum that helps students recognize and respond to a suspected natural gas leak, identify natural gas appliances and pipeline markers, and understand the importance of calling 811 before digging. Last year, 130 schools throughout Southwest Gas’ service territory used the program. · Girls in STEM at the Arizona Science Center The Southwest Gas Foundation has supported the Arizona Science Center’s Girls in STEM program since 2021. This initiative introduces girls in grades 4-8 to science and engineering through hands-on activities and mentorship. These experiences help students explore STEM concepts and envision careers in the field. · Natural Gas Program at Estrella Mountain Community College Southwest Gas partners with Estrella Mountain Community College on a hands-on Natural Gas Program that introduces students to careers in the utility and construction industries. Courses taught by current Southwest Gas employees provide experience with tools and safety practices used in the field. · Share the Spirit Shoes for Kids With the support of a $5,000 contribution from the Southwest Gas Foundation, Southwest Gas employees partnered with the Share the Spirit Foundation to provide 90 students from Title I schools with new shoes and socks during the Shoes for Kids event on August 28. As part of the Company’s volunteer program BLUE (Building Lives Up Everywhere), Southwest Gas employees served as personal shoppers, helping the students select new shoes that fit comfortably and help boost their confidence as they begin the school year. · Summer Internship Program Southwest Gas offers a paid Summer Internship Program for currently enrolled college and university students across the U.S. The 10-week program offers hands-on experience and professional development opportunities across a variety of business functions. Applications are open from January through April, with the program starting in June. Last year, more than 2,900 students from across the country applied for the internship program. Together, these collaborative efforts help open doors for opportunity and reflect Southwest Gas’ long-standing commitment to enriching lives and strengthening communities. For more information about Southwest Gas and its community partnerships, visit www.swgas.com/community. About Southwest Gas Southwest Gas Corporation is a dynamic energy company committed to exceeding the expectations of our over two million customers throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada by providing safe, reliable, and affordable service while pursuing innovative sustainable energy solutions to fuel the growth in its communities. For more information about how Southwest Gas is supporting a sustainable energy future, please visit www.swgas.com. About The Southwest Gas Foundation The Southwest Gas Foundation has spent six decades partnering with 501(c)(3) organizations to open doors of opportunities, provide support in times of need, and create a legacy of impact that benefits generations to come. Funded by shareholders, the Foundation is committed to enriching lives and strengthening communities. For more information, please visit www.swgas.com/community.
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