St. Joseph's Hospital is a Level I Trauma Center designated by the State of Arizona and verified by the American College of Surgeons. The hospital treats more than 4,250 patients a year with 15% of those being severely injured (injury severity score > 20).

Along with the trauma education, injury prevention, and residency programs, Trauma Research is an important component of the Trauma Center.

Trauma Research program is directed by Scott R. Petersen, MD, FACS.

Trauma Research includes a basic research unit and clinical studies. The basic research unit (Systemic Inflammation Laboratory) is headed by Andrej A. Romanovsky, MD, PhD.