In the last decade, a transformative partnership has emerged between the University of Arizona (U of A) and Banner Health, aimed at reimagining health care delivery and academic medicine across Arizona. This collaboration has effectively redefined health care in the region, resulting in a remarkable estimated total economic impact of $59 billion for the state.
Economic Contributions and Job Creation
The economic impact of this partnership results from two main facets: ongoing operations and construction initiatives. The lion’s share—approximately $53.7 billion—comes from the day-to-day operations of Banner – University Medicine, which evolved from Banner Health’s acquisition of the University of Arizona Health Network in 2015. In addition, the partnership generated a one-time impact of $2 billion from construction and capital investments.
This collaboration has not only strengthened the state’s economy but has also created substantial employment opportunities. The partnership has collectively sustained 35,500 annual direct and indirect jobs, alongside 12,600 temporary construction jobs. Furthermore, it has contributed $2.2 billion in cumulative tax revenue, significantly benefiting the state, counties, and municipalities.
Educational Advancements
Within this decade of impactful collaboration, education plays a pivotal role. Over 1,900 physicians and health care professionals have graduated from the U of A Colleges of Medicine in Tucson and Phoenix, with many choosing to remain in Arizona. Thousands of nurses, pharmacists, and public health professionals receive their training at Banner facilities each year, directly countering workforce shortages in the health sector.
The partnership has also focused on expanding residency and fellowship opportunities, creating one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs. This growing pipeline of healthcare professionals is essential to meeting Arizona’s future medical service demands.
Infrastructure Investments
Since the partnership began, more than $2.4 billion has been invested to modernize aging medical facilities, enhance clinical trial programs, and expand educational and simulation spaces. These investments have significantly upgraded Arizona’s healthcare infrastructure and improved care delivery.
Together, U of A and Banner Health have collaborated to scale specialty care, ultimately modernizing ambulatory care networks and revolutionizing how health services are delivered across the state. This investment in resources aids in ensuring not only a competent healthcare workforce but also a modern healthcare environment conducive to high-quality patient care.
Vision for Future Collaboration
Leaders from both organizations recently gathered to reflect on this decade-long partnership and share their vision moving forward. The Arizona Board of Regents highlighted how public and private institutions, when aligned, can deliver tangible benefits to their communities.
As Banner Health President and CEO Amy Perry articulated, the commitment to the neighbors of Arizona is underlined by the partnership’s employment of nearly 100,000 individuals and its continuous dedication to compassionate care. Similarly, U of A President Suresh Garimella emphasized the importance of academic medicine as a cornerstone for hands-on experience in healthcare, fostering an environment that nurtures discovery and clinical research.
Measuring the Impact
The significance of this partnership was outlined in a report compiled by Rounds Consulting Group, showcasing the varying dimensions of economic and educational impact. Notably, the total value of economic activity has reached an estimated $2.8 billion stemming from medical graduates who have chosen to work in Arizona.
With Banner – University Medicine recording 22.6 million patient engagements over the past decade, the collaboration not only addresses the immediate healthcare needs of Arizonans but also anticipates future demands.
Academic Medicine Day
In recognition of this significant milestone, Governor Katie Hobbs officially declared October 24, 2025 as Academic Medicine Day in the state of Arizona. This acknowledgment serves to highlight the ongoing accomplishments and future endeavors of the partnership, further solidifying its role in the development of academic medicine and health care innovation.
Future Outlook
As the partnership enters a new decade, the emphasis will remain on enhancing medical education, advancing clinical research, and improving care delivery. Both institutions are also looking to leverage rapidly evolving technology and artificial intelligence, aiming to improve training for clinicians, enhance patient-provider interactions, and analyze vast amounts of data to optimize population health management.
Conclusion
The decade-long partnership between the University of Arizona and Banner Health has yielded groundbreaking transformations in health care delivery and academic medicine in Arizona. This collaboration serves as a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in addressing critical health needs and generating measurable economic benefits for the community. As both entities look forward to the next ten years, their commitment to innovation, education, and improved health outcomes for the residents of Arizona is more important than ever. This partnership not only reflects the essence of collaborative healthcare but also sets a precedent for how institutions can effectively work together to uplift an entire state.
