The university’s commitment to health is one of the most powerful expressions of what it means to be Arizona’s keystone institution and carry out our land-grant mission to serve our communities. 

From training the next generation of health professionals to advancing biomedical research and expanding access to care in rural communities, health touches every one of our strategic imperatives. 

To deliver on our promise, we will be fully integrating health sciences activities into university operations, creating a unified academic and research enterprise that elevates health as a university-wide priority. 

Overview of the change

A year ago, the university initiated a realignment of its health sciences colleges, centers and administrative functions to streamline the administrative structure and create a more cohesive organization in support of our mission. Health sciences colleges and administrative units moved under the Office of the Provost, and several research centers later joined the Office of Research and Partnerships.

We are now in the final phase of that integration, and with this transition, Jennifer Barton’s work as interim vice provost for health programs has concluded. Dr. Barton, who serves as the Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair of Biomedical Engineering, will return to her faculty position and pursue her important research to develop miniature imaging tools for early detection of cancer. We are grateful for her thoughtful leadership during this transition and wish her continued success in her academic and research endeavors. 

In the coming weeks, the remaining health sciences functions, activities and programs will move to areas within the university structure where they best align and can be integrated to highlight the important role of health across campus. Those no longer needed will be discontinued effective Aug. 7.

Changes in academic activities and programs

Health education and professional programs exist across numerous colleges and disciplines throughout the university. To provide cohesive oversight, simplify coordination and enhance opportunities for collaboration across colleges, we will centralize them under the Office of the Provost.

The Interprofessional Clinical and Professional Skills Center (ICaPS), the Center for Transformative Interprofessional Healthcare (CTIPH), the Arizona Area Health Education Centers (AzAHEC), the Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center (ASTEC), and the Office of Student Engagement and Career Advancement will move under a newly created position, executive director of health operations, that will report to the provost. Melissa Colchado will take on this role, effective July 13. She brings extensive experience working across the university’s health sciences programs, centers and colleges, along with our clinical partner Banner Health. Her deep institutional knowledge and collaborative leadership make her well-suited to lead these efforts.

The Indigenous Health Programs will move under Levi Esquerra, special advisor to the provost for Native American affairs. We recognize that these programs are most effectively supported and advanced within a unit deeply rooted in Native American engagement and cultural understanding. This move will further strengthen our community-centered approach to Indigenous health and the university’s commitment to serving Native American communities.

Health Sciences Scheduling will move under the Office of the Registrar, led by Alex Underwood, to develop a more unified approach to room scheduling across all university locations.

To better align resources and build on existing partnerships, we will move certain programs to colleges where they have strong ties and a history of collaboration. 

Interprofessional K-12 Initiatives will move under the College of Medicine – Tucson, where they complement existing programming. The All of Us Research Program, an initiative led in partnership with Banner Health, will also move under this college.

The Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism will be a collaboration between the College of Medicine – Tucson and the College of Medicine – Phoenix, where there is a concentration of related research strengths and clinical expertise. The center will continue to grow collaboration with faculty and researchers across the university. 

Clinical Placements and Partnerships will move under the School of Health Professions in the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, where it will continue to serve all colleges with student clinical experiences. 

Research centers

Since last summer, the Office of Research and Partnerships has housed several health sciences centers, including the Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, the Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies, the Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics, the Center for Innovation in Brain Science, the Center for Sleep, Circadian and Neuroscience Research, the Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction, and the University of Arizona Cancer Center. 

As part of the final phase of this integration, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and the Arizona Center for Accelerated Biomedical Innovation (ACABI) will also join the Office of Research and Partnerships.

This new structure will strengthen the university's research enterprise and deepen connections across the institution, expanding our capacity to advance interdisciplinary research and large-scale collaboration. As we build on the university’s recognized strengths in several areas, such as cancer, immunology, AI and health, cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, drug discovery and others, we will further elevate our national leadership in health-related discovery. 

Administrative structural changes

The complete integration of health sciences activities into university operations allows us to align resources, reduce administrative redundancy and build a leaner structure that reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility. 

As part of these changes, we have made difficult decisions and are supporting every affected employee with care and respect. 

For those whose positions will end, the university is providing a transitional period during which they will remain in active employment and have access to Human Resources support services. HR will work directly with them to navigate this process, including providing guidance on benefits and retirement, as well as assistance identifying new opportunities within the university. 

Our commitment

As the state’s comprehensive academic health enterprise, the university is prioritizing health as an area of focus and growth across the institution.  

Health is as central to our mission as it has ever been. This commitment goes far beyond our five health sciences colleges. It lives in the students we train, the discoveries we make, and every community we serve across Arizona. 

We appreciate your continued engagement and dedication as we advance our shared mission to serve our students and communities.

Sincerely,

Patricia A. Prelock
Provost and Chief Academic Officer 

Tomás Díaz de la Rubia
Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships