Filling the Pipeline
El Rio Invests in Recruitment, Retention
By Loni Nannini
El Rio Health is powered by people, including a growing force of healthcare providers, health-adjacent staff and other employees that number more than 1,900.
As it celebrates 55 years, the nonprofit is implementing a dynamic plan for workforce development to support the increasing needs of its clientele. Leveraging collaboration with education, El Rio is generating a pipeline of healthcare professionals at a time when one in four Arizona adults lack a personal doctor and 28% haven’t seen a doctor for a routine check-up in the last year according to a 2024 study by University of Arizona College of Medicine − Phoenix.
“Recognizing the critical shortage of primary care providers nationwide, El Rio Health is investing in the future by training the next generation of healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Sonia Reidy, senior medical director at El Rio.
“We proudly welcomed our inaugural class of El Rio Family Medicine and Psychiatry residents in July 2025. After more than half a century of service, we remain dedicated to ensuring every Tucsonan has a healthcare home that is accessible and welcoming.”
Creating a Pipeline of Healthcare Providers
Launched under the leadership of Dr. Felipe R. Perez, designated institutional official at El Rio, the Teaching Health Center model embeds graduate medical training within community health settings. In addition to family medicine and psychiatry, the model offers residencies in clinical pharmacy, and general and pediatric dentistry, as well as advanced practice training for nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives. El Rio also hosts workforce experience pathways through the Southern Arizona Area Health Education Center.
“It’s a privilege to create educational pathways that respond to our region’s workforce needs,” Perez said. “My mission is to anticipate those needs, recruit learners who share our values, and cultivate a compassionate, skilled pipeline of providers for Southern Arizona.”
Perez said that El Rio clinical sites provide an ideal training ground in comprehensive, real-world care for residents and students. They also rotate through local hospitals and community providers to gain exposure to diverse care environments and strengthen regional partnerships. Partner organizations include the University of Arizona, Pima Community College Health Professions, Pima Medical Institute, UA College of Nursing, Arizona Department of Economic Services, Job Path, Carrington College, JTED, NYU Langone and Pima County One Stop.
“Residents learn to manage chronic conditions, address social factors, and collaborate across disciplines − all while serving the unique needs of our community. This environment fosters resilience, advocacy, and clinical excellence,” Perez said.
The new Family Medicine residency program was supported in part by an $800,000 grant from the Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation that Perez said “reflects broad community belief in the power of place-based medical education.” The effectiveness of the training model has been demonstrated across the past decade through El Rio’s partnership with the Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education programs, which has produced more than 40 family medicine physicians, many of whom now work in Arizona.
“We have realized that growing our own workforce − rooted in accessible, comprehensive and affordable care − is the most sustainable solution. It’s about creating opportunities and building a robust and sustainable legacy of healing,” he said.
A Culture of Caring
Building a legacy means not just training providers, but recruiting and retaining them.
“We truly take care of our employees, providing a comprehensive medical, dental and vision package that includes a VIP-line for their healthcare needs and an Employee Assistance Program extended to not only employees, but also to their family members,” said Iris Matheny, manager of human resources and talent acquisition at El Rio.
Other benefits include paid time off; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match; a 457(b) plan; a health savings account; a flexible spending account; life and disability insurance; and wellness programs including free exercise classes at El Rio Health centers. Additionally, El Rio offers career and leadership development and some tuition reimbursement. Employees may also qualify for state and federal loan tuition forgiveness.
Chief Human Resources Officer George Toy said that generous benefits, in combination with a caring culture and competitive salaries, contribute to El Rio’s outstanding retention rate, which stands far above the national average at 82%.
In addition to healthcare-related jobs, El Rio offers opportunities in information technology, human resources, finance and accounting, operations, quality and compliance, transportation, facilities and much more. Employment opportunities are updated weekly and can be found online at www.elrio.org/careers.
Ultimately, Matheny said, El Rio Health is vested in the health, meaningful career growth and well-being of all employees.
“Whether you are directly or indirectly providing care for our patients, careers at El Rio Health connect you to serving our community with much greater impact.”
Pictured above – Dr. Felipe R. Perez, MD, FAAFP, Designated Institutional Official at El Rio. Photo by Brent G. Mathis
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