We’re proud to announce a major milestone for our hospital and community: Mount Graham Regional Medical Center (MGRMC) has officially been designated as a Level III Trauma Center by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Emergency Services and Trauma System, as of May 19th.
This designation marks a new chapter in our commitment to delivering advanced emergency care.
What It Means to Be a Level III Trauma Center
Of the many hospitals across Arizona, only 13 are designated Level I, zero as Level II, and now just 9 hospitals have achieved Level III status — including MGRMC. Dozens of others are Level IV or not certified in trauma care.
A Level III trauma center provides prompt assessment, resuscitation, emergency operations, and stabilization for patients with traumatic injuries. They also arrange for transfer to a higher-level trauma center for definitive care when needed.
A Level III designation includes these requirements and more:
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24/7 access to emergency medicine physicians and general surgeons
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Prompt assessment, resuscitation, and stabilization of patients
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Availability of general surgery, anesthesia, ICU, and orthopedic surgery
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Transfer agreements for patients requiring a higher level of care
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Continuous education and quality improvement programs for the trauma team
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Active participation in regional disaster management plans and exercises
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Outreach support for surrounding hospitals
Our designation confirms what we’ve already known — our trauma team has long been delivering care above and beyond expectations.
“The designation by the State reflects our commitment to providing the very best care to our community, especially those that are involved in serious accidents and trauma. As the site reviewers told us during the inspection, we were functioning above the expectations for Level III designation. Nothing changes for us — we will continue to do all that we can to ensure our patients are provided the highest level of care. Our entire hospital will continue to be focused, educated, and dedicated to providing great care!”
— Dr. Bart Carter, Chief Medical Officer and Interim CEO
A Community-Wide Commitment
This Level III designation was not just an outcome — it was a deliberate choice to rise to the challenge. Just like the founders of MGRMC did 52 years ago, we remain focused on bringing the highest quality healthcare to Graham and Greenlee County — for our patients, our families, and our future.
We are honored to be your community-owned hospital and look forward to continuing our mission: advancing care, saving lives, and serving with compassion.
Thank you to everyone — staff, board members, and community members — who made this achievement possible.
