Creighton of Phoenix Arizona (COPA)

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Location: Phoenix, AZ

Number of Residents Per Year: 16

Year Established: 1986

Primary Training Sites:

Valleywise Medical Center (Primary EM, Medical ICU, Burn ICU)

Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix (EM, Toxicology)

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center (Peds EM)

Phoenix Children's Hospital (Peds EM)

Cardons Childrens Hospital/Banner Desert Medical Center (Peds anesthesia)

Mayo Clinic Hospital - Arizona (EM)

St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center (OB/GYN, EM)

IHS Whiteriver, AZ (Rural EM)

EM Subspecialty Exposure (EMS, Toxicology, Ultrasound, etc.)

Our program offers broad and meaningful exposure to a wide range of emergency medicine subspecialties, supported by a diverse and passionate faculty with fellowship training in critical care, ultrasound, simulation, wilderness medicine, research, emergency department administration, sports medicine, and medical education. Residents benefit from working alongside exceptional clinical faculty who are leaders in their respective fields. These relationships provide not only bedside teaching but also long-term mentorship for those interested in fellowships, research, or academic careers. Furthermore, the resident track system, which offers more than ten focused areas of interest, provides longitudinal opportunities for mentorship from core faculty and physician partners across the valley, tailored elective experiences, and career development. These opportunities provide a framework for deeper exploration, meaningful projects, and skill-building that can support future fellowship or job placement.

One of our standout strengths is our ultrasound division. With over five fellowship-trained faculty, our ultrasound team is deeply integrated into the day-to-day clinical environment. Residents receive bedside instruction on shift, early and frequent scanning opportunities, and the chance to explore advanced applications through electives, workshops, and procedural skill development. The emphasis on point-of-care ultrasound is woven throughout the curriculum and supported by a group of faculty who are excited to teach and mentor.

In addition to in-department experiences, residents rotate through several high-impact clinical environments. As PGY-2s, they serve as the non-surgical senior resident on the Burn ICU service, taking a central role in the resuscitation and management of critically ill burn patients. This complex and unique experience builds confidence in high-acuity care. During the pediatric anesthesia rotation, residents focus on pediatric airways and intubation, gaining key procedural skills in a controlled environment. We also partner with the Medical Toxicology Service at Banner, where residents gain hands-on experience in bedside consultation and didactic education in toxicology. As part of our commitment to training well-rounded emergency physicians, all residents complete a required rotation at the Whiteriver Indian Hospital in rural Arizona. In this setting with limited resources, residents gain invaluable experience in adaptability, clinical decision-making, and resource-conscious care —skills essential for practice in any environment. We also have strong EMS partnerships, including long-standing relationships with the Phoenix Fire Department, surrounding municipal EMS agencies, and flight services. These connections offer residents a range of pre-hospital learning experiences.

Fellowships Offered (if any):

Currently: Ultrasound, ED Admin

In process: Medical Education, Wilderness Medicine

What Makes Your Program Unique or Special?

The core of our residency program is a commitment to creating a close-knit, supportive environment where residents thrive both professionally and personally. We believe that success is built not just on individual achievement but on a culture of helping others grow, lifting each other up, and reaching for excellence together. We’re a program that values progressive clinical autonomy, a tight-knit culture, and a robust network that fuels your career.

Progressive Autonomy and growth of the individual as a physician: From day one, our residents are entrusted with the responsibility to make clinical decisions. You’ll be expected to take ownership of your patients and drive their care, all while receiving guidance and support from senior residents and attendings. Our goal is to help you become an absolutely unstoppable emergency medicine physician, confident in your clinical judgment and ready for any challenge. You’ll gain this autonomy in an environment that provides the right support at the right time with people who are excited to watch you learn and succeed, ensuring you're always growing but never without guidance. We offer an elective block each year to allow for further exploration and growth in EM, as well as a conference every year (AAEM PGY1, conference of choice PGY2, and ACEP PGY3).

A Network Built Over Nearly 30 Years, Driving Career Advancement: For nearly three decades, our residency has cultivated a robust network of alumni, professional relationships, and institutional connections that help propel our residents forward to fellowship or directly into community or academic careers. From critical care positions at Shock Trauma in Baltimore to rural medicine in Alaska and everywhere in between, our graduates are consistently sought after. This longstanding network not only strengthens our residents during their training but continues to support their careers long after graduation.

Proud to Serve the Underserved: Our residency is deeply committed to serving a low-resource, underserved patient population. This focus gives our residents a unique opportunity to work on the front lines of care, addressing healthcare disparities and learning to provide exceptional care in challenging environments. The exposure to a diverse patient base adds depth to your training, allowing you to hone your skills in a way that prepares you for any situation, no matter the resources available.

More Than Just Training, It’s a Family: We take pride in the culture we’ve built, one where residents work hard, but also know the value of time together. From post-shift hangouts to fitness activities like running and yoga or various other outdoor activities, we prioritize wellness and community. This balance between professional excellence and personal well-being is what makes our program special, allowing us to develop the foundation for truly extraordinary individuals and physicians. It’s what makes us a family.

How Do You Support Resident Wellness?

Resident wellness is a core value of our program, and we foster it through both structured initiatives and organic, resident-led efforts. We believe that wellness is foundational to professional growth and long-term success in emergency medicine, and we are intentional about building a supportive, inclusive, and resilient community.

From the program side, we have a dedicated wellness committee composed of faculty leaders and representatives from the PGY2 and PGY3 classes. Each academic year, the committee collaborates to identify priority areas of wellness and develops a longitudinal curriculum tailored to those themes. This includes a balance of community-building events outside the hospital, as well as sessions focused on specific domains of wellness, ranging from physical fitness and financial literacy to relationships, spirituality, and personal growth. Additional initiatives are coordinated with other departments and residency programs in the hospital to foster broader connections across disciplines. Our approach is data-driven and evolves year to year based on resident feedback, participation, and programmatic goals, ensuring that our efforts remain relevant, meaningful, and effective.

We also work to ensure residents have access to Creighton institutional wellness resources, mental health services, and organizational support. Additionally, our residents are matched with a “family” with a faculty mentor and at least two other residents to develop early bonds that last throughout their time in the program and beyond.

Equally important is the resident-driven culture of wellness that thrives within the program. Residents take initiative in creating opportunities to connect and recharge, whether through ongoing service projects, team participation in athletic and endurance events, or shared interests like book clubs and discussion groups. These grassroots efforts are supported and celebrated, and they play a critical role in sustaining our strong sense of community.

Ultimately, wellness in our program is a shared responsibility and a reflection of how we care for one another. We take pride in creating a training environment where residents feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive both personally and professionally.

What Qualities Do You Value in Applicants to Your Program?

We value applicants who bring a strong work ethic, internal drive, and a clear passion for emergency medicine. A solid foundation of medical knowledge is important, but just as essential is the motivation to continue learning and growing throughout residency.

We appreciate individuals who demonstrate grit and determination, those who persevere through challenges with professionalism and humility. Our program thrives on teamwork, and we seek collaborative residents who understand that excellent patient care depends on mutual respect and support across all members of the emergency department.

Above all, we are looking for residents who are eager to become an integral part of our community, those who not only strive for personal excellence but also work to lift others up. A commitment to shared success, continuous learning, and the well-being of the team is at the heart of our residency culture.

MS4 Sub-Internship opportunities:

Date that students can start applying for rotations:

Varies - CU gets first priority, then UoA, then VHMC opens it to everyone else to apply (historically has been February for CU/UoA and then about the first week of March for all others)

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