PHOENIX – Abrazo Health’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) program just celebrated its 2026 graduating class of primary care and specialty physicians and fellows, including the first Vascular Surgery Fellow.

A total of 38 new doctors graduated from the program at a June 6 ceremony at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The class of 2026 included:

• Emergency Medicine: 8 graduates
• Family Medicine: 7 graduates
• Internal Medicine: 16 graduates
• General Surgery: 3 graduates
• Cardiology Fellowship: 2 graduates
• Infectious Disease: 1 graduate
• Vascular Surgery: 1 graduate

"After watching our first Internal Medicine class graduate in 2022 to now being able to see our first Vascular Surgery Fellow graduate this year, it feels like a personal milestone to see these residents and fellows grow, and it gives me great pride knowing that Abrazo Health’s GME program is putting well-rounded physicians out into the community," says Angela Franco, C-TAGME, GME Administrative Director for Abrazo Health.

“In order to offer fellowships, all core residency programs have to be in good standing and fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education,” she said. “It’s a testament to how our program has continued to expand and mature in recent years as we have added more residencies and fellowships.”

This year marks the first Vascular Surgery graduate as Dr. Steven Marincel (on the right) completed his two-year fellowship at Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital. He started the program on July 1, 2024. 

“This fellowship was designed to prepare us to be the next generation of vascular surgeons. After four years of medical school, a five-year general surgery residency, and this two-year program at Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital, it’s a dream come true to be able to get out there in the community and take care of patients,” said Dr. Marincel.

Abrazo Health’s GME program continues to attract, educate and mentor the next generation of primary care and specialty physicians.

“We take great pride in the contribution Abrazo Health has made – and continues to make – to help alleviate the shortage of trained physicians nationally, regionally and within our own community,” said Brian Elisco, Abrazo Health Arizona Group CEO.