Abrazo Family Medicine Residency

• Unparalleled training
• Strong procedural skills
• Excellence in quality improvement
• Foundation in evidence based medicine
• Grassroots innovation

Our residency program offers full-spectrum family medicine training. 
We believe that the family physician is the foundation of any healthcare system. 
We provide increased access to high-quality healthcare for our surrounding Phoenix neighborhoods and communities.
We value collaboration, integrity, accountability, respect, humility, and compassionate service.

Abrazo Family Medicine Residency Program:

• Is affiliated with the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Midwestern University allowing us to provide research opportunities and advanced technologies for our residents
• Has been educating family physicians since 1978 (formerly as Phoenix Baptist Family Medicine Residency Program)
• Exposes residents to all areas of medicine, including practice management education with a focus on billing
  
• Provides quality patient-centered, evidence-based care
• Affords opportunities for community outreach
• Allows residents to serve as active members of hospital committees

We offer:

• Academics & research
• Behavioral medicine training
• Geriatrics
• Hands-on procedural training
• Healthcare disparities education
• Obstetrics
• OMT training
• Practice management
• Scholarly Activity
• SIM Lab
• Sports medicine
• Underserved urban and rural training
• Wellness curriculum

Unique qualities about training at Abrazo Family Medicine Residency Program: 

• Family Medicine training at Abrazo Central Campus (unopposed feel)
• External rotations at nearby tertiary care hospitals (Phoenix Children’s Hospital, St Josephs’/Dignity Healthcare Hospital/Circle The City
• Protected time for didactic conferences
• Integrative Medicine curriculum through the University of Arizona*
• Ample elective time across PGY2 and PGY3 years, including options for local and regional rotations
• Training for residents who plan to work with accountable care organizations
• Service to a  diverse patient population with regards to education, ethnicity/culture  and socio-economic status
• Procedural training in outpatient, inpatient, obstetric, and emergency medicine
• Sports medicine opportunities including physicals and healthcare for high school and professional athletes with community  physicians 
• Electronic medical records in the clinic and hospital (Athena and Cerner, respectively)
• Free online access to library services and medical reference subscriptions
• Monetary allowance toward medical education conferences, laptops and book purchases.
• Allowance for presenting research and/or representing Abrazo Family Medicine Residency Program at national conferences.
• Free food while at Abrazo Central Campus

Opportunities for Specialty Track training in: 

• Addiction Medicine
• Advocacy
• Emergency Medicine
• Hospitalist Medicine
• Maternal Child Health
• Physician Leadership
• Possibility to build your own based on interest and elective availability
• Sports Medicine Training

* In conjunction with the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM), our residency offers the Integrative Medicine in Residency (IMR) program, which provides a dynamic, self-paced online Integrative Medicine curriculum specifically designed for medical residents. This 100-hour competency-based CORE program aligns with ACGME guidelines and equips physicians to better address the growing prevalence of chronic illnesses and stress-related disorders. Upon completion, residents receive a Certificate of Completion and gain access to over 85 additional hours of advanced, condition-specific content. The program provides 24-hour access and blends online learning with experiential activities, ensuring flexibility for busy schedules. It also includes a Healthcare Professional Wellbeing Course and incorporates evaluation tools to monitor progress and assess knowledge acquisition.

With easy access to both the outdoors and metropolitan areas, Arizona is one of the best places to live in the U.S. Check out the links below to learn about the growing city of Phoenix and the beautiful state of Arizona.

General Guides to Arizona and Phoenix

• Visit Arizona 
• Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau

Special Attractions

• Arizona Science Center 
• Desert Botanical Garden
• The Heard Museum
• The Phoenix Symphony
• Phoenix Zoo

Our Sports Teams

• Arizona Cardinals
• Arizona Diamondbacks - Major League Baseball
• Cactus League - MLB Spring Training
• Arizona Rattlers - Arena Football
• Phoenix Suns - NBA Basketball  

Want more health and lifestyle tips from Abrazo Health? Follow us on social media

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Residents in the Abrazo Family Medicine Residency Program are exposed to a diverse population because they perform rotations at several surrounding urban and inner city tertiary care hospitals.

Abrazo Central Campus

An innovative acute-care hospital located in North Central Phoenix, Abrazo Central Campus offers a wide variety of advanced medical services to its patients. We have been an active partner in the growth and development of the communities we serve since 1963.

Today, Abrazo Central Campus is a 216-bed, non-denominational teaching hospital and part of the second largest health system in Arizona. The staff and more than 750 physicians are dedicated to providing innovative, cost-effective, and convenient healthcare services in an environment focused on personal care, compassion and respect.

Learn more about Abrazo Central Campus.

Residency Department
602-246-5521

Chelsea Kempton
Program Coordinator
602-246-5638
[email protected]

Abrazo Health Network Family Medicine Residency Program
2000 West Bethany Home Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85015

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Abrazo Family Medicine Residency Program offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package for Family Medicine residents.

Salary

Resident Employment Agreement

Benefits

• Medical and Dental Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Employee Retirement Plan
• Two white lab coats furnished by the hospital
• Meals provided when on duty at Abrazo Central Campus
• Stipend for meals while on duty at local hospital rotations
• Call rooms with computer access

Vacation and leave

Three weeks vacation per year (21 working days)

Books, conferences & other education

First year: $600 allowance
Second year: $800 allowance 
Third year: $1000 allowance 

Educational stipend allowance will be provided and paid to them in their paycheck, half of the stipend in July and the other half in January of each Academic Year.

Step 3 reimbursement- comes out of $3500 CME stipend

Up to a $1600 financial incentive to residents on track to take and pass the ABFM Certification exam in their PGY-3 year

Full access to Midwestern University Library to include apps like Up-To-Date, Dynamed, Sanford guide, Audio-Digest etc.

Certifications

The Abrazo Family Medicine Residency Program covers the cost of the following training courses:

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Fetal Strip Review
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO)

Membership in AAFP & AzAFP

The Program encourages participation in the following professional societies and pays for the resident's membership in:

American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
Arizona Academy of Family Physicians (AzAFP)

Scholarly Activity

Abrazo Family Medicine Residency Program supports the following:

• Participation in ongoing clinical research, poster presentations, didactic lectures, journal review and publications.
• Presentation at statewide Academic Excellence Day at annual Abrazo Research Day
• Presentation at national conferences including the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) conference

Amanda Rapp, MD, MBA, FAAFP Medical Director, Program Director

Tori Avina

Amanda Rapp, MD, MBA, FAAFP

Linda Brown, MD

Jennifer Willis, MD

David Virgil, MD, FAAFP

Linda Brown, MD

Undergraduate School: Montclair State College 
Medical School: University Medicine and Dentistry - New Jersey Medical School
Residency: Phoenix Baptist Family Medicine Residency Program 
Clinical Interests: Female preventative care and pediatrics.

Born and raised in New Jersey, I am a proud graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey. In 1992 I completed my family practice residency at Phoenix Baptist Hospital in Phoenix and subsequently left Arizona to take a position in upstate New York.

After three years on the east coast, I knew it was time to return to Phoenix. I started working as a physician for Abrazo Medical Group in 1995 at the West Olive Family Medicine Center in Glendale. I have now been working at that practice for 18 years and am grateful to have had continued interaction with the Phoenix Baptist Family Medicine Residency. I have acted both as a community preceptor on a regular basis at their inpatient clinic, and I have served as the REAC community chairperson.

In my free time, I enjoy hiking, golfing and spending time outdoors.

Jennifer Willis, MD

Undergraduate: Masters in Physiology University of Arizona
Medical School: University of Arizona
Clinic Interest: Sports Medicine, Women's Health, Urgent Care

I received my medical education from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, Arizona. I completed my residency at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Phoenix. I am board-certified in family medicine and I focus on patient education and wellness which allows me to provide the best care possible for patients of all ages.

I believe in a personal approach to medicine and work in partnership with each patient to build a lasting relationship and create a personalize care plan with an emphasis on prevention and wellness

David Virgil, MD, FAAFP

Undergraduate Education: B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona State University
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Residency: Phoenix Baptist FMRP, Phoenix Arizona
Clinical Interests: Integrative Medicine, Public Policy, Underserved Populations, Preventative Medicine, Women’s Health, Sport’s Medicine

Dr. Virgil was born and raised in Tolleson, AZ, a small city outside of Phoenix. He attended Arizona State University and earned his B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering. After graduating he went to work for Maricopa County as a Public Health Inspector and Spanish Liaison whilst earning his Master’s in Business Administration before deciding to enter medical school. During his undergraduate career he volunteered as a Spanish Interpreter at the Wesley Community Center, a local health center that serves the underserved, undocumented, and indigent populations of downtown Phoenix. It was here that he first fell in love with community medicine, and being around so many compassionate and caring health care providers set the foundation for his choice to be a Family Medicine Physician. Outside of medicine Dr. Virgil enjoys Latin/Ballroom dancing, reading poetry and works of fiction, traveling, shamatha meditation, and listening to live music. Go Devils!

Alexandra Bartlett, DO	Angela Vaivao, MD	Sonali Karandikar, DO	Sarah Carpinelli, DO
My-Loan Luu, DO	Sophia Fasani, DO	Farah Alamiree, MD

Alexandra Bartlett, DO

Undergraduate: University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Graduate: Touro University Nevada, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical School: Touro University Nevada, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Clinical interests: Preventative medicine, Regenerative medicine, Procedural skills, Pain medicine, Sports medicine, Lifestyle medicine, Health Literacy, Behavioral Health, Practice Management

As a long-time Las Vegas resident, I am excited to return to the state where I was born and give back to a community called home by several generations of family. Nevada provided me the opportunity to earn dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology, with a minor in Neuroscience, at UNLV. Upon completing a Master’s of Health Sciences degree at TUN, I continued on to attend medical school with TUNCOM, where I gained further appreciation for the complexities of dynamic, individualized patient care.

On a clinical level, I believe in working with patients to understand their desired outcomes and get them back to doing what they enjoy. I adopt a proactive mindset and make a genuine interpersonal investment, which is essential to patient advocacy. This mindset also fosters adaptability and active problem-solving, leading to the best opportunity for shared and informed decision-making. Being a part of the Abrazo Health team allows me to prioritize this approach while making patients feel educated about their options, supported in their decisions, and confident in their future plans.

Outside medicine, I have yet to find an outdoor activity I do not like; however, I have a particular affinity for UTV trail riding, hiking, and camping with my husband. Much of my time is also spent with my husband experiencing top foodie destinations, attending hockey games, exploring during world travel adventures, and trying my hand at mixology.

Angela Vaivao, MD

Undergraduate: University of San Diego

Medical School: University of Guadalajara, Mexico

Clinical Interest: Sports Medicine, Preventative Medicine, Dermatology, Full-Spectrum Family Medicine

I was born and raised in the beautiful San Diego, California. I spent most of my childhood in Sothern California playing sports and enjoying the sunny skies year-round. I studied Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of San Diego, where I was also able to intern for the division 1 football team as an athletic training and sports medicine student. I moved to Phoenix during my third year of medical school and completed all of my clinical clerkships here in the valley. It was hard not to fall in love with the scenic views and beautiful spring time weather. My passion for Family Medicine deepened during my time in Phoenix as I had the opportunity to see the vast opportunities that existed within the specialty and the amount of lives that could be reached and changed.

During my free time I love to garden and cook. I am passionate about baking and cooking with real, local, and vibrant ingredients. I am joyful about the opportunity to join Abrazo and to reach and serve the community around us.

Sonali Karandikar, DO

Undergraduate: University of Arizona

Medical School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

Clinical Interests: Full spectrum Family Medicine, Preventative Medicine, Women’s Health, Adolescent Medicine

I am from Phoenix, Arizona and attended University of Arizona for a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology and Psychology. After completing the Biomedical Sciences Master’s program at Midwestern University, I attended medical school locally at Midwestern University as well. I was drawn to Family Medicine as soon as I started clinical rotations because of the variety of pathologies and procedures I encountered every day. I hope to provide continuity of care by practicing both inpatient and outpatient medicine, ensuring comprehensive care for my future patients. Within Family Medicine, my further interests include women’s health, preventative medicine, and adolescent medicine. Currently, I am committed to furthering my proficiency in medical Spanish and participating in community service initiatives to contribute to the well-being of the community I serve. I am excited to continue my medical journey with Abrazo Family Medicine’s supportive and compassionate team!

Outside of medicine, I enjoy trying out new coffee shops and restaurants, reading, exploring new trails both in the Valley and northern Arizona, and spending time with my dog!

Sarah Carpinelli, DO

Undergraduate: Northeastern University

Medical School: Midwestern University – Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

Clinical Interests: Women’s Health, Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy, Full-Spectrum Family Medicine, Health Literacy, Patient Advocacy and Medical Policy.

Originally from San Diego, California, I relocated to Phoenix for medical school at Midwestern University. Enamored by the area’s picturesque sunsets, diverse cultures, and nearly perfect weather, I extended my medical education by a year for a pre-doctoral fellowship. This allowed be to earn an Applied Master’s in Osteopathic Medical Education, nurturing my passion for teaching and honing my skills in Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy. My dedication to women’s healthcare and holistic medicine, emphasizing both symptom treatment and addressing underlying causes, has long been a driving force. I prioritize building relationships with patients, fostering understanding of their health, and collaborating to achieve their wellness goals.

Beyond medicine, I enjoy Pilates, outdoor activities, and exploring new dining spots with my husband. Traveling is a cherished pastime, although evenings are often spent at home cuddling with our cats, Leela and Messi. 

My-Loan Luu, DO

Undergraduate school: The University of Texas at San Antonio

Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine - Midwestern University

Clinical Interests: Preventative Medicine, Full-Spectrum Family Medicine, Underserved Populations, Women’s Health

I'm starting my medical residency journey with a heart full of passion for helping people, thanks to my upbringing and experiences. Growing up in Houston, Texas, I was surrounded by family members who were all about healthcare. My dad, a physician himself, showed me how medicine can truly change lives for the better. That inspired me to dive into the world of medicine.

After wrapping up my Biology degree in 2015, I decided to take my education further. In 2019, I obtained a Master of Medical Sciences at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. Along the way, I made many lifelong friends, which has been one of the best parts of this journey. I chose Abrazo Health FM Residency because it felt like home. Everyone there treats each other like family, supporting and cheering each other on. I can't wait to dive into this new chapter in Arizona and keep growing as a medical professional.

When I'm not wearing my white coat, you'll probably find me out on the pickleball court, getting lost in a good book, or escaping into the virtual worlds of PC gaming.

Sophia Fasani, DO

Undergraduate: Arizona State University

Medical School: Midwestern University – Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

Clinical Interests: Preventative Medicine, Women’s Health, Underserved Populations, Full Spectrum Family Medicine, and Community Outreach

As a Phoenix native, I attended Arizona State University where I majored in Medical Microbiology with a minor in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. I love volunteering with nonprofit organizations including Vitalant and the American Red Cross and have been a blood drive coordinator for over ten years. I continued my education at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine where I had the opportunity to pursue a dual degree and graduated with both my medical degree and Master of Public Health. I view early intervention as the key to successful patient outcomes and optimized health.

Growing up in a loud and proud Italian American culture, family is very important to me. When I learned of a career where I could care for everyone else’s families, it made perfect sense to go into primary care where I can create genuine relationships and continuity with my patients who will, in a certain way, become like a second family.

I appreciate the compassionate and supportive community at Abrazo, and I am extremely excited to stay and practice Family Medicine in beautiful Arizona!

In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with family and friends, playing games, watching movies, completing puzzles, and exploring the many dining, concert, and sporting events in Arizona.

Caroline Nguyen, MD	Jay Sheth, DO	Jenai Rojo, MD	Matthew Cormier, DO
Peter Flores-Martin, DO	Onel Kejee, MD

Caroline Nguyen, MD - Dr. Nguyen's personal interest include being a foodie (Yelp Elite), Sustainability (upcycling, thrifting) and anime. Her professional interests are in lifestyle medicine and mental health.

Jay Sheth, DO, MD - Dr. Sheth is iriginally from Philadelphia, PA and enjoys table tennis, anime, and swimming. His professional interests include: Pain Medicine, Sports Medicine, Rural and Underserved Medicine, Preventative Medicine

Jenai Rojo, MD - When I'm not in the clinic you'll find me spending time with family and my dog Loki. I'm a sports girl at heart, I enjoy watching a good baseball game or watching the Masters. I love golfing, outdoors activities such as camping, hiking and running. I like to destress by cooking a nice meal and enjoying it with the people I love. I am deeply passionate about community-based medicine, with a focus on addressing health disparities and improving access to care for underserved populations. My background in public health fuels my desire to approach medicine holistically, integrating prevention and education into patient care. I am especially interested in chronic disease management, lifestyle medicine, and patient advocacy. Additionally, I value mentorship and aspire to empower future generations of physicians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Matthew Corimer, DO - On my free time, I love to go golfing, watching the Arizona Diamondbacks, going hiking with my wife and dog, and traveling. My professional interests include: Full-spectrum family medicine, outpatient procedures, hospital medicine, and osteopathic manipulative medicine.

Peter Flores-Martin, DO - Dr. Flores-Martin enjoys baking cakes and pasteries, cooking, reading fantasy and sci-fi books, writing stories and poetry, and playing video games. During his professional career he hopes to be able to manage and treat a wide range of conditions, whole family medicine, and inclusive medicine.

Onel Kejee, MD - In Dr. Kejee's free time he enjoys sociology, fitness, music and festivals, and traveling. His professional interest include: Intergrative Medicine, Mental health, and Sports Medicine.

Prashant Thakur, MD - *(N/A)*

April Alford, DO	Muresuk Mena , MD	Breanna Santoso, DO	Shreya Singh , MD
Upraj Singh, MD	Travis Tanner , DO	Sammy Shihadeh , MD

April Alford, DO - Dr. Alford's personal interests are Cooking, exploring new recipes, and meal preparation. She also enjoys hiking, yoga, Pilates, and using her creativity to design flyers, social media posts and newsletters for organizations. Her professional interests include Community and Preventive Medicine, OMM, Women's Health, procedural medicine, global health missions, clinical research, and mentorship in medical education. Dr Alford received her Undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi - Hattiesburg and Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Tx. She then went on to pursue a master's in biomedical sciences and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS.

Muresuk Mena, MD - Outside of medicine, Dr. Mena enjoys playing basketball, strength training, art, and getting involved in the community, as well as spending time with friends and family. Recently, Dr. Mena has become interested in music and film, especially the storytelling and creative decisions behind how they're made. He also values personal growth and reflection. Dr. Mena's focus is on patient centered, preventive care and building long-term relationships. He enjoys working with patients across all stages of life and creating care plans that support both immediate and long-term health. Dr. Mena is interested in Sports and Pain medicine while also staying involved in youth mentorship to inspire more individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue medicine. Dr. Mena received his undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. He then went on to St. George's University SOM to obtain his MD.

Breanna Santoso, DO - Dr. Santoso enjoys traveling and has been to over 20 countries, including exploring her family heritage in Singapore and Indonesia. Along with experiencing new parts of the world, she also enjoys immersing herself in culture via ethnic foods. Dr. Santoso is an avid golfer and has been in sport for over 13+ years, leading to her being the captain of her high school team. She also participates in tennis and figure skating. Her professional interests include Occupational Medicine. Dr. Santoso received her undergraduate degree from Ohio University in Athens then to Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine - Dublin, OH.

Shreya Singh, MD - Dr. Shreya Singh enjoys golfing, cooking, and Cricket. Her professional inerests are Maternal Health, Preventative Geriatric Care, Sports and Lifestyle Medicine as well as being an advocate for Mental Health. Dr. Shreya Singh received both her undergrad and MD from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka India.

Upraj Singh, MD - Dr. Upraj Singh's personal interest includes Badminton and Software tinkering. His professional interests are lifestyle medicine, sleep medicine, and behavioral health. Dr. Upraj Singh received both his undergrad and MD from California Northstate University.

Travis Tanner, DO - Dr. Tanner enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing, 3D printing, and maintaining a strong commitment to monthly all-you-can-eat sushi. Dr. Tanner's professional interest is in Sports Medicine. Dr. Tanner received his undergraduate degree from Utah Valley University in Orem, UT. He then went on to Des Moines University in Des Moines, IA to pursue his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Sammy Shihadeh, MD - Dr. Shihadeh's personal interests consist of Calisthenics, long-distance running, swimming. He received his undergradaute at Univeristy of South Florida-Tampa, then to Florida State University COM- Tallahassee.