UA and Banner propose teaching, cancer hospitals
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The University of Arizona and Banner Health have proposed teaming to build a teaching hospital on or near the downtown biomedical campus.
As part of the proposal, Banner would build, finance, and operate inpatient and outpatient facilities at the hospital.
Banner and the UA have also proposed joining forces for a comprehensive cancer center, including a cancer hospital that would be located at the biomedical campus or at nearby Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center.
Dr. Keith Joiner, dean of the UA College of Medicine, told the Arizona Republic that the university would need doctors to serve as full-time faculty. It is estimated that Banner can transfer about 70 physicians to the College of Medicine.
The announcement has sparked debate from Maricopa Integrated Health System officials, who have been advocating construction of a new county hospital on the biomedical campus.
The county hospital, which has a legislative mandate to teach students, is currently the largest teaching hospital in the Valley.
"All the hospitals need to step back and not jeopardize the medical school, which would be counterproductive for all the hospitals in the Valley," Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon told Arizona Republic. "They need to let the UA medical school advise us what is best for them and the state."
For more information:
"Banner, UA upset hospital debate," Arizona Republic, 12/08/2006