Brophy alumnus Dr. Jordan Coulston ’98 returned to speak with students about Arizona State University’s ambitious plan to open a new School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, a program that could reshape the way future Brophy graduates enter healthcare.
ASU’s new medical school, set to open as early as next fall pending accreditation, will be located in downtown Phoenix’s Biomedical Campus, joining the growing ecosystem of medical and health science programs in the city. What makes this school stand out is its dual-degree model. Students will graduate with both a Doctor of Medicine and a Master’s in Medical Engineering in just four years.
“New medical schools are rare, and to build one here in Phoenix is a big deal,” said Coulston. “We want to train future physicians who are also problem-solvers, people who understand technology, engineering, and the human story behind every patient.”
For Brophy students, that mindset might sound familiar. The school’s emphasis on innovation, service, and reflection mirrors ASU’s interdisciplinary vision for medicine. Coulston noted that Brophy’s integration of engineering and ethics aligns naturally with the future of medical education. “What we’re doing feels a lot like what Brophy tries to do, blending different parts of learning into something human-centered,” he said.
ASU’s program plans to use virtual reality anatomy labs, AI-integrated training, and digital ultrasound platforms to teach students. Instead of relying solely on cadavers, the school will employ “digital donors” and 3D models to simulate the human body, similar to Brophy’s anatomy teaching methods. Students will also work directly with patients through partnerships with community health organizations like St. Vincent de Paul, connecting technology with service for underserved populations.
“Medicine is about people,” said Coulston. “Even as technology advances, the patient’s story remains the center of everything we do.”
While the school is still awaiting final LCME accreditation, the goal is to enroll its first class of about 30 students, with plans to expand in the future. Coulston also shared his hope to strengthen the connection between ASU’s medical program and Brophy, offering potential tours, mentorship, and collaboration with Brophy’s Modern Medicine Club.
He ended with a message directly to students considering the medical field: “Being a doctor is a certain privilege; your every day is somebody’s bad or worst day. Medicine is under attack right now, and we need young people who are going to lean into that fearlessly. Brophy taught me what it means to be a man for others, and that’s exactly the kind of spirit we need in medicine today.”