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Learn more about University of Arizona, College of MedicinePhoenix and Valley ENT
A MEDICAL JOURNEY
Kathern Plenge, MD
The Power of Unity
MCMS Board
President, Jane Lyons, MD, and ArMA Board President, Nadeem Kazi, MD, discuss organized medicine.
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Editor-In-Chief
Desire’e Hardge, MBA
Managing Editor Edward Araujo
Associate Editor
Dominique Perkins
Creative Design
Randi Karabin, KarabinCreative.com
Cover & Featured Articles
Photography
Jeff Noble, jeffnoblepictures.com
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Maricopa County Medical Society Board Members
President Jane Lyons, MD
Treasurer Vishal Verma, MD, MBA
Secretary
Karyne Vinales, MD
Past President
Zaid Fadul, MD, FS, FAAFP
Directors
Kishlay Anand, MD, MS
Jay Arora, MD, MBA
Rahul S. Rishi, DO, FAAAAI, FACAAI
Resident & Fellow Director
Issa Ismail, DO
Medical Student Director
Samantha Matta, OMS-III
Board
Jane Lyons, MD, and ArMA
In Depth: University of Arizona, College of Medicine
— Phoenix
Dean Frederic Edward Wondisford, MD, MS, MBA, shares how the medical school keeps its commitment to its mission while instilling values of service, love of learning, and patient-centered practices.
In Depth: Valley ENT
Learn more about one of Arizona’s largest otolaryngology practices through the lens of its President, Jordan Weiner, MD.
Member Practices Directory
Learn more about MCMS member practices and how they help their patients.
Together We Can Move the Needle Forward
As the MCMS Board President, I am honored to join forces with the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) Board President Nadeem Kazi, MD, to emphasize the importance of unity within the medical community in this special issue of Arizona Physician. While each of our organizations serves unique roles, we share a common mission: advocating for physicians and their patients while championing the values of our medical profession. This issue represents a unique opportunity to highlight the collective strength and importance of organized medicine, especially during times of significant challenges and transitions in healthcare.
Both Dr. Kazi and I understand the pivotal role that physician engagement plays in shaping the future of healthcare. By coming together as leaders of our respective boards, we are sending a strong message: collaboration and collective action are vital for addressing the issues that impact physicians, patients, and our healthcare systems. From advocating for fair policies to supporting physician wellness and workforce development, unified voices amplify the impact of our efforts.
Organized medicine thrives when physicians are actively involved. Our profession faces increasing pressures, including workforce shortages, regulatory changes, and the evolving demands of patient care. These challenges underscore the need for every physician to have a seat at the table—to share their experiences, guide policy decisions, and influence the future of our practice while sustaining healthcare.
I hope this issue inspires all readers to reflect on their role in organized medicine. Whether through advocacy, mentorship, or simply staying informed, every action contributes to a stronger, more resilient physician community.
As your MCMS Board President, I am proud to stand with leaders like Dr. Kazi and with all physicians like you—our dedicated members and community allies—in advocating for a brighter future in healthcare. Together, we are organized medicine, and we will continue to make a difference to ensure that the voices of physicians remain influential in shaping the healthcare landscape.
Let this issue serve as a reminder of what we can achieve when we stand united. Here’s to a strong finish to 2024 and an even stronger 2025.
Jane Lyons, MD MCMS Board President
Dr. Jane Lyons is a Pediatrician, who provides care for patients in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. She works locally in Phoenix as well as providing rural locum hospital based care. Dr. Lyons completed her medical training in San Diego, CA, has two young children, and enjoys the outdoors, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
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Reducing the Lung Health Burden of the Climate Crisis
A Public Health Intervention in Phoenix, Arizona
The American Lung Association, in collaboration with CVS Health Foundation, is working with healthcare providers, partnering organizations and individuals to support people with lung disease who are facing health complications due to climate change. The goals of this project are to:
1. Equip healthcare providers with tools to improve care of patients with lung disease during poor air quality days.
2. Empower people with lung disease to take steps that reduce their risk of health complications during days with unhealthy air.
3. Utilize local air quality data to develop education programs and promote policies to protect lung health.
Key elements of this project include climate and lung health education for people with lung disease and their caregivers and the distribution of air quality sensors. This intervention is being implemented in Phoenix, Arizona (Maricopa County), as it is one of most polluted cities in the United States for ozone and particulate pollution.
State of the Air 2024
• Compared to other metropolitan areas, the Phoenix area ranked 5 worst for high ozone days, 16 worst for 24-hour particle pollution and 7 worst for annual particle pollution.
• Maricopa County received a failing grade for high ozone days, 24-hour particle pollution and annual particle pollution, meaning these levels exceeded Environmental Protection Agency standards.
Populations
at Risk in Maricopa County
• Total Population: 4,551,524
• Pediatric Asthma: 82,166
• Adult Asthma: 348,328
• COPD: 224,399
• Lung Cancer: 1,654
Air Quality and Lung Health
Health Impacts and Communities at Risk
Climate change is worsening air quality issues, as record heatwaves, droughts and wildfires become commonplace. Exposure to unhealthy air causes complications for the 34 million people in the U.S. who are living with lung disease and puts millions more at risk of developing chronic illness.
Exposure to unhealthy air can cause or contribute to:
• Wheezing and coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Asthma attacks
• Worsening COPD
• Lung cancer
Some people are more at risk of illness and death from air pollution than others. Risk factors like exposure, physical susceptibility, healthcare access and psychosocial stress often interact in ways that lead to significant health inequities among subgroups of the population including:
• People of color
• People experiencing poverty
• Children
• Older adults
• People with chronic lung disease
• People with a smoking history
This project aims to decrease the negative impact that poor air quality has on people with lung disease and address the associated health disparities faced by marginalized communities.
The Year Comes to a Close and Ushers in New Opportunities in 2025
As the year comes to a close, I want to extend my gratitude to each of you—our members, readers, partners, and community leaders—for your commitment to advancing healthcare in Arizona. Your dedication has made a profound difference, not only within the medical community but also for the patients and communities you serve.
2024 was a year marked by challenges, triumphs, critical decision-making, and transformative opportunities. From navigating the ever-evolving healthcare landscape to the continuous shifting and shaping of healthcare policies, the stakes have never been higher. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that physicians unite to amplify our collective voice and champion the changes our profession and patients need.
In this issue of Arizona Physician, we highlight inspiring stories that reflect the power of collaboration, innovation, and leadership within our community:
1. A Visionary Dialogue: Our cover story features a powerful conversation with our Board President Jane Lyons, MD, and the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) Board President Nadeem Kazi, MD whose leadership and vision exemplify the strength of collective action. Together, they address pressing healthcare hurdles and how physicians can lead meaningful change.
2. Honoring a Legacy of Service: Retired physician and former MCMS Board President Kathern Plenge, MD shares her incredible journey in medicine, reminding us of the enduring impact of mentorship, advocacy, and service.
3. Advancing Medical Education: Dean Fred Wondisford, MD of the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine in Phoenix provides insights into the innovations shaping medical education and how academic institutions play a critical role in addressing Arizona’s healthcare needs and physician workforce shortage.
4. Spotlighting Excellence in Private Practice: The outstanding work of Valley ENT is a testament to the innovative approaches Arizona’s leading medical practices are taking to improve patient care and outcomes.
The stories and achievements featured in this issue highlight the power of collaboration within our community. The message is clear: we are stronger together. As we look to 2025, I urge each of you to engage more deeply—whether through the Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS), advocacy efforts, or partnerships that advance healthcare excellence and sustainability.
The coming year presents significant challenges, but also opportunities to shape the policies, practices, and innovations that will define the future of healthcare—like those with the Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio), MD Triage, and others—that bring innovation, research, and jobs directly into the medical community. Or, advocating for more Graduate Medical Education (GME) slots with elected leaders to expand and retain talent. These collaborations and workforce developments are essential in addressing Arizona’s physician shortage and equipping medical professionals with cutting-edge tools, insights, and resources to deliver the best care possible, while building a better tomorrow today.
By coming together, we can ensure that Arizona physicians continue to lead with strength, purpose, and vision. By combining efforts with community leaders, healthcare organizations, and policymakers, we will continue to foster initiatives that uplift and empower Arizona’s physicians. These
partnerships are not just a strategy—they are the foundation of progress.
Thank you for your contributions to our shared mission. Here’s to a new year filled with collaboration, resilience, and progress.
Together, we can advance forward! #mcmsstrong
With Gratitude,
Desire’e Hardge, MBA Arizona Physician Editor-in-Chief MCMS CEO & Executive Director
“By coming together, we can ensure that Arizona physicians continue to lead with strength, purpose, and vision.”
Designing Innovative Healthcare Spaces in the Heart of Arizona
BANNER ESTRELLA MEDICAL CENTER - PHOENIX ARIZONA
BRIEFS
NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE FIELD
Migration Season
The cooling weather in Arizona signals a sort of migration—snowbirds begin arriving as early as October, with some staying as late as May. These seasonal and out-of-town residents comprise a unique patient base for healthcare professionals, and a few challenges and opportunities as we seek to support their well-being.
SEASONAL PATIENT SURGE | Healthcare professionals can be prepared for an increase in patient volume as seasonal residents arrive, and consider adjusting scheduling, staffing, and resources to accommodate the influx.
CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT | Many snowbirds may have chronic conditions that require ongoing management. Physicians can ensure they have access to patients’ medical histories and medications, possibly utilizing telehealth for continuity of care.
PREVENTIVE CARE OPPORTUNITIES | Physicians can encourage preventive care screenings for things like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis as well as recommending appropriate vaccinations, particularly as we head into flu season.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCES | Healthcare professionals can recommend information on local health and wellness resources, including fitness centers, recreational activities, and community programs that can enhance the well-being of seasonal residents.
MEDICARE AND INSURANCE CHANGES | Physicians and practices can ensure added diligence in navigating the specifics of Medicare coverage and any changes in insurance plans that out-of-state patients might have which could affect billing and treatment plans.
Winter and Spring in Arizona offer a delightful reprieve from sweltering summers, making this a perfect time to get outside and experience the beauty of our deserts. Visiting these local public gardens not only allows you to bask in the pleasant weather but also serves as a reminder of the importance of connecting with nature for overall well-being. As you take a break from your demanding schedule, consider the benefits of outdoor time—both for your own mental health and as a model
for your patients. We encourage you to explore these beautiful gardens and savor the tranquility they provide, creating a refreshing balance to the busy life of a physician. Happy exploring!
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN |
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix | Currently celebrating their 85th anniversary, the Desert Botanical Gardens is a living museum of plants, wildlife, conservation efforts, and art. Attend one of their many
beautiful and educational events or simply enjoy a stroll through the saguaro.
JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN | 1125 N. 3rd Avenue, Phoenix | Established as a joint project cementing the bonds of friendship between Phoenix and its sister city, Himeji Japan, The Japanese Friendship Garden, named Rohoen, is a peaceful and thoughtful oasis featuring a stroll garden, stone footbridges and koi pond.
BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM | 37615 E. Arboretum Way, Superior | Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is home to over 4 thousand varieties of desert plants from around the world, spread throughout 135 acres of gardens in the scenic Sonoran Desert.
TUCSON BOTANICAL GARDENS | 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson | The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a small but mighty public garden connecting people with nature. Of particular note is the Cox Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion—a tropical oasis featuring hundreds of butterflies and currently celebrating its 20 year anniversary.
Desert Botanical Garden
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE — PHOENIX IS SAFEGUARDING A COMMUNITY
In our rapidly evolving medical landscape, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Phoenix is positioning itself at the forefront of change by integrating cutting-edge tools like personalized medicine, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data analytics into its curriculum.
The College of Medicine—Phoenix envisions a future where physicians are not merely practitioners but leaders, synthesizing vast amounts of information while maintaining their irreplaceable role as patient-centered caregivers.
For Dean Frederic Edward Wondisford, MD, MS, MBA, the mission of the College of Medicine—Phoenix also extends far beyond producing skilled physicians. It is about cultivating a commitment to the calling of medicine—a responsibility that transcends business models and embraces a profound social mission.
SERVING A COMMUNITY
A medical school may not be a directly externally-facing organization, but the College of Medicine—Phoenix is very aware of their role and responsibility to the people and society they serve.
“The school exists in a community,” Dr. Wondisford stated. “We have communities all around us.”
Arizona ranks among the bottom 10% nationally in primary care physicians per capita, with critical shortages in nearly all counties. Rural areas are disproportionately affected by these shortages, and training and pathways to pull in new providers are few and far between.
Arizona already faces a lack of funding for residency opportunities. To combat this, the College of Medicine—Phoenix is introducing a three-year medical curriculum tailored for students pursuing careers in primary care. The innovative program integrates clinical training in rural settings with guaranteed residency placements in those same communities.
“The studies have shown that if you spend more than three years at a place, you’re more likely to stay in that place,” said Dr. Wondisford.
“We don’t need to be acted upon by the future,” he said. “We need to be part of it.”
—Dr. Wondisford
By embedding medical students in underserved regions early in their training, the program aims to create a pipeline of physicians committed to these areas long-term. The initiative also offers financial and logistical incentives, such as scholarships and accelerated graduation, to address the financial barriers often deterring students from primary care careers.
Dr. Wondisford envisions this program as a cornerstone for future expansion, potentially establishing regional campuses in underserved communities like the Gila River Indian Community. These efforts reflect the College of Medicine—Phoenix’s commitment to serving the “four corners” of Arizona and ensuring that healthcare is accessible to all, not just those in urban centers.
The College of Medicine—Phoenix also serves its student community, taking steps to combat the threat of professional burnout later in their careers.
Wellness is in many ways a buzzword of the day. But it also represents a growing issue as more and more physicians are overwhelmed by issues in reimbursement, documentation, administrative duties, and huge patient loads due to the national shortage of providers.
“The most important thing we can do is make it easier for physicians to do their job,” Dr. Wondisford said.
Simplifying medical school curricula by reducing nonessential repetition and reducing administrative burdens are central to these efforts.
“Because this is a service business—it’s about taking care of people, and providing care regardless of social status, ability to pay, and so on,”
—Dr. Wondisford
“But our wellness includes not just our medical students, it includes our staff, our faculty, and our residents,” he said. To this end, the College of Medicine—Phoenix is working on plans to establish a dedicated Office of Wellness on campus. It’s a big undertaking, but this holistic approach aims to create a culture of wellbeing that extends from the classroom to the clinic.
The College of Medicine—Phoenix is also seeing a surge in psychiatry and mental health as an area of study.
“I think last year it was our second most popular residency choice,” Dr. Wondisford said. A positive development since communities across the country need practicing psychiatrists.
The increasing need for fully staffed mental health services also highlights the vital role that primary care and family medicine physicians play in addressing mental health concerns. As providers with some of the greatest access to their patients they often serve as the first line of defense, identifying and addressing symptoms, recommending follow-ups to specialists, and checking in during regularly scheduled physical exams to help monitor medication and treatment efficacy and be on the lookout for adverse effects or worsening symptoms.
Another essential community tie is with the medical and healthcare community surrounding the College of Medicine—Phoenix.
“We could not have a medical school here without volunteers,” Dr. Wondisford said.
In addition to dedicated full-time college employees, medical schools rely on the connections, experience, facilities, generosity, and specialized knowledge of currently-practicing healthcare providers. This network of professionals supports medical students on their journey in countless ways: guest-lecturing, mentoring, opening their facilities for student volunteers, workshops, networking and job-shadowing programs, providing clinical and research experiences, and dozens of other invaluable opportunities students rely on to enrich their education and prepare them for the profession of medicine.
NOT A BUSINESS
As the healthcare landscape evolves, Dr. Wondisford and the College of Medicine—Phoenix
remain steadfast in their mission to uphold the integrity of medicine by instilling values of service, fostering a love for learning, and advancing evidence-based and patient-centered practices.
This starts all the way back at the beginning at the admissions process—and perhaps even before.
“We are always looking for good people,” says Dr. Wondisford, and “motivated students who understand the mission and calling of medicine are key.”
“We’re also considering the way we admit those students,” he says.
Finding and admitting the best candidates includes efforts to ensure talent, experience and passion are not being overlooked due to lack of opportunity or over-emphasis on metrics alone.
One initiative in place to further this goal is the College of Medicine—Phoenix’s Pathway Scholars Program, which provides academic support and community for students who have
experienced unique challenges in preparing for medical school. The program has seen great success and Dr. Wondisford is enthusiastic about expanding.
Patient needs are best met by physicians who respect the wealth of values within their community and identify with patients’ individuality.
“Because this is a service business—it’s about taking care of people, and providing care regardless of social status, ability to pay, and so on,” he said.
He shared a poignant experience he had many years ago while trying to describe the ideals of medical education to his father—he had recently started a new job as a young assistant professor and described the role and operations of a prominent academic medical center. When he concluded, his father said simply, “Look, Fred, if that were a business I would close it.”
The story perfectly illustrates the social mission Dr. Wondisford feels is the particular custody of medical schools, precisely because medicine is not a business, despite having business elements.
If it were a business, he asked, would we do
research the way we do? Would we educate the way we do? The answer is probably no.
Learn more about University of Arizona, College of Medicine—Phoenix's partnership with Banner Health at phoenixmed.arizona.edu/news/ gme-expansion
“We have to guard those values carefully, so our graduates understand what they signed up for. Because people depend on you, people want you to help them, and they trust you—with their lives.” he said.
This philosophy informs how the College of Medicine—Phoenix approaches teaching, training, and research. Patient-centered care is the cornerstone of a physician’s responsibility, and the curriculum reflects this obligation.
Research is an integral part of patient care, Dr. Wondisford emphasizes, because all care, diagnosis, medication, treatment, and therapies are built on a foundation of evidence—the evidence that comes from research.
Work being done in the College of Medicine— Phoenix’s labs show this integration in real-time. Researchers like Dr. Shirin Doroudgar are pioneering personalized-medicine approaches for treatment, transforming stem cells from a patient’s blood to test specific heart medications and tailor treatments.
BEING ACTIVE IN THE FUTURE
As medicine ventures into uncharted territory, the University of Arizona College of Medicine—Phoenix is ensuring its graduates are ready to lead with both technological fluency and the human touch that remains central to the art of healing.
“We don’t need to be acted upon by the future,” he said. “We need to be part of it.”
Dr. Wondisford emphasizes the exponential growth of medical knowledge and the necessity for physicians to adapt to this influx of information. To meet this challenge, the College of Medicine—Phoenix is reinvigorating its biomedical informatics department.
Dr. Wondisford agrees with the College of Medicine—Phoenix’s founding Dean and pioneer in biomedical informatics Edward Shortliffe, MD, PhD, MACP, FACMI, who predicted that being able to use data effectively in all its forms was going to be the future of medicine.
The partnership with Banner Health underscores this commitment, particularly in areas like AI-assisted diagnostics and patient care improvement. As Dr. Wondisford notes, integrating AI into medical education ensures future physicians will be adept at using these tools not just for efficiency, but as an extension of their clinical judgment.
However, while AI has the potential to offer invaluable background support, it cannot replace the nuanced understanding that comes from patient interaction.
“Ninety-five percent of all diagnoses are made by the history and physical, not by lab tests,” he explains.
The College of Medicine—Phoenix’s unique approach to training reflects this philosophy. Its doctoring program provides students with a structured yet adaptable framework for engaging with patients, helping them build the skills needed to extract meaningful stories from even the most challenging interactions. Similarly, its innovative simulation-based education integrates AI, allowing students to encounter realistic scenarios where they must balance technical knowledge with human interaction and communication. ■
U of A College of Medicine—Phoenix
By the Numbers
Founded in 2007
1,200 Full time Faculty, 83% Physicians
Faculty Partnerships
Banner Health, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix VA Health, HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic, Valleywise Health, Abrazo Health, and Hospice of the Valley
502 Current Medical Students
910 Graduates
350 Residents/Fellows
130 New Medical Students Each Year
Research Focus Areas
Bioinformatics, Cardiovascular Disease, Cognition, Diabetes, Fibrosis, Genomics, Metabolomics, Neurosciences
Research Grants
The College has garnered more than $46.5M in research grants for FY 2024.
Centers of Excellence
Center for Applied NanoBioscience and Medicine, Center for Simulation and Innovation, Phoenix Children’s Research Institute, and Translational Cardiovascular Research Center.
Other Important Info:
To help address the significant physician shortage in Arizona’s rural and underserved communities, students may train in these areas through the Rural Health Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship, the Rural Health Professions Program Certificate of Distinction and the new three-year MD curriculum, which will launch in 2025.
phoenixmed.arizona.edu | 602-827-2002
A CLOSER LOOK AT ORGANIZED MEDICINE THROUGH THE EYES OF ARIZONA’S PHYSICIAN LEADERS
Power of The Unity
In today’s healthcare landscape, where policies are increasingly shaped far from the examining room, organized medicine ensures that the voices of physicians— and the needs of patients—remain central to the conversation. From advocating for physicians’ rights to influencing policies that directly affect patient care, organizations like the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) and the Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS) are indispensable to Arizona’s healthcare system.
But what does “organized medicine” mean in practice? How can physicians harness their collective strength to enhance their profession and improve patient outcomes? These questions led us to conversations with two influential physician leaders: Nadeem Kazi, MD, Board President of ArMA, and Jane Lyons, MD, Board President of MCMS. Their insights highlight the challenges and opportunities facing Arizona physicians and the critical role organized medicine plays in shaping the future of healthcare.
A LEGACY OF COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP
Organized medicine in Arizona dates to 1892, when MCMS was founded to address the challenges of frontier healthcare. That same year, MCMS leaders, including Dr. Joshua Miller, helped establish ArMA, creating a unified voice for physicians across the state.
Over the decades, ArMA and MCMS have tackled evolving challenges—from early licensing standards to today’s complex healthcare policies. This legacy of collaboration remains vital, especially as Arizona grapples with issues like physician shortages, administrative burdens, mental health, and healthcare access disparities.
“That’s what I call organized medicine,” Kazi said. “We all sit together, come from all over the state or the country, and talk about our issues, how to deal with them, how to manage them, and how to solve the problems that our colleagues and our patients are facing.”
ArMA, with its structured advocacy programs, PACs, and legislative resources, leads these efforts. They ensure that healthcare professionals’ voices are heard and that their concerns are addressed at the legislative level. MCMS, on the other hand, is dedicated to advocacy and policy, with a focus on raising awareness and fostering connections among members. By offering tools and resources, MCMS empowers its members to stay informed, engaged, and active in their practice. Together, both organizations work to ensure that healthcare professionals have the support and resources they need to navigate medicine and influence policy decisions.
“Organized medicine is also there to provide support to each other, and to support our practice, to support us as physicians to make sure we are able to provide the best quality healthcare that we can,” Lyons said.
“Organized medicine is also there to provide support to each other, and to support our practice, to support us as physicians to make sure we are able to provide the best quality healthcare that we can,”
—Jane Lyons, MD
ADVOCACY: THE VOICE OF PHYSICIANS AND PATIENTS
One of organized medicine’s most critical roles is advocacy. ArMA and MCMS work to influence legislation, reduce administrative burdens, and champion patient care.
“Healthcare in America is so complex, with so many competing interests, that we’re really here to be the voice for physicians and patients,” says Dr. Lyons. “So much of what we do in the examining room is decided by non-physicians—at the courts, at the state capital. Physicians must be at the table to ensure that laws and policies serve patients and the healthcare system.”
Shortly after completing his gastroenterology fellowship, Dr. Kazi’s colleague encouraged him to visit Arizona. “He convinced me to come for a year—I literally came to Arizona, to Casa Grande, for one year!” he said. “That was 27 years ago. I fell in love with the people.”
Dr. Kazi recalls witnessing a plethora of issues, including the high number of young people experiencing advanced liver disease and cancer. He and his professional colleagues encountered challenges within the healthcare system that motivated him to become actively involved in organized medicine at both the county and state levels.
“We started fighting for insurance reform, payment reform, and I thought, you know, ArMA is doing a lot,” he said.
Asked what prompted her passion for advocacy and organized medicine, Dr. Lyons recalls a pivotal moment during her first quarter of medical school, when she took an elective titled The Politics of Medicine
“My teacher opened my eyes to what happens in medicine that isn’t in the patient-physician examining room—all of the legal issues in the courts, all of the legislative issues at the state level and the federal level, issues in health insurance,” she said. “And once your eyes are opened, I think it’s hard to close them.”
An oft-quoted phrase from that class stayed with her: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”
“If we are not actively fighting for our profession, our patients, and healthcare, then we will be on the menu,” she said. “And there will be laws that might hurt physicians, hurt patients, and that can adversely affect the quality of Healthcare in America.”
ArMA and MCMS prioritize physician involvement at every level. “One of the big things we’ve been doing is directly connecting our member physicians, our board of director physicians, as well as trainees, residents and medical students with legislatures at the House and the Senate,” she said.
“We all sit together, come from all over the state or the country, and talk about our issues, and how to solve the problems that our colleagues and our patients are facing.”
—Nadeem Kazi, MD
Arizona’s physician-to-patient ratio ranks 15% worse than the national average, with every single Arizona county classifying as at least a partial Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).
Programs like ArMA’s Doc of the Day bring doctors to the Arizona State Capitol during legislative sessions, providing direct input to policymakers.
“These guys see a real picture of what’s going on with the debate,” says Dr. Kazi.
“I go every year,” adds Dr. Lyons. “We are there to provide medical care and I actually have been called to an emergency before, but you also get to meet your legislatures, you get to tour, you get to talk to the lobbyists, and then you get to sit in on the session, and so it really is amazing, especially if you are just starting to get into this.”
These efforts yield tangible results. According to ArMA’s 2024 legislative report, Arizona physicians, united through organized medicine, achieved several legislative victories, including:
Allowing medical assistants to complete prior authorizations ordered by clinicians, reducing administrative burdens.
Repealing Arizona’s outdated pre-statehood abortion ban.
Expanding protections against delayed insurance payments.
FIGHTING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE INTEGRITY OF MEDICINE
Organized Medicine also plays a crucial role in protecting public health, in part by upholding professional standards and ethics, ensuring high quality
patient care, and maintaining trust between physicians and the public.
“There is a triangle of major points in medicine that we need to focus on—access, quality, and cost,” Dr. Lyons said. “Our goal is to provide the highest quality care, ensure access to the most people, while containing cost. We are there to make sure that with the different laws that are being proposed, and the different court cases, we are asking how they are affecting these three things. Especially expanding access to healthcare and ensuring the highest quality healthcare,” she said.
Expanding access to quality healthcare is a prominent concern. In addition to the burdens placed on physicians by ever-increasing administrative duties, delayed payments, denied claims, the increasing financial insecurity of Medicare, and the devastating obstacles of complicated coding, prior authorization blocking patient care, and deliberately complex claims coding, Arizona is faced with a dramatic physician shortage.
According to the Cicero Institute, the United States is projected to have 120 thousand too few doctors nationwide by the year 2030. Arizona is currently ranked in the bottom half of all states for primary care and physician availability.
Arizona’s physician-to-patient ratio ranks 15% worse than the national average, with every single Arizona county classifying as at least a partial
Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). HPSA indicates an area where there are 3500 or more patients for every one provider. Low-income citizens and rural areas are disproportionally affected by these shortages.
Approximately 3.2 million Arizonans—40% of the state’s population—live in an area with a current health care shortage, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. A significant reason for this, both in Arizona and across the country, is a lack of residency spots, Dr. Lyons points out.
According to the National Resident Matching Program, Arizona has 108 medical resident and fellowship opportunities. For comparison, California has 594. But with a staggering number of seven medical schools in Arizona, that is not enough to keep graduates in-state. Studies repeatedly show that a significant majority of physicians tend to settle and practice medicine in the same state where they completed their residency training.
“When you go somewhere else and you spend 3-6 years (for fellowship and residency), you tend to stay there,” Dr. Kazi said. “So that is the problem we are facing: we have a student output, but we don’t have the resident programs or fellowship programs to have a doctor output.”
Securing additional Graduate Medical Education funding to open more residency spots will be key to closing this physician gap, as well as introducing incentive programs to encourage physicians to settle in extreme shortage areas.
Dr. Kazi says that securing the needed GME funding for Residencies and finding ways to address the rural healthcare shortage are the two main focuses of his presidency at ArMA.
“We have to be very careful,” Kazi said. “What we decide today is going to affect us the next 5-10 years, and that’s where the organized medicine comes in.”
“So far, we have achieved good things, but not enough. We are still working,” he said.
SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR PHYSICIANS!
Another pivotal role of organized medicine is to provide resources to help physicians navigate challenges like burnout, practice management, and staying current with medical advancements. They also offer networking opportunities, continuing education, and professional development.
As the physician supply lags behind patient demand, patients wait longer to see doctors, and doctors are overwhelmed by a patient load too great to bear. In the face of these challenges, on top of the high pressure and long hours of the profession, it is small wonder that physicians
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Approximately 3.2 million Arizonans
– nearly 40% of the state’s population – live in an area with a current health care shortage
across the state—and the country—are facing record rates of burnout and discouragement.
According to a survey published by the American Medical Association (AMA), in 2023, 48.2% of physicians reported experiencing at least one symptom of burnout. The good news is that this is a decrease from 53% in 2022. In fact, this is the first time in four years that the rate has dropped below 50%.
Despite this positive step, especially as we continue to recover and move forward after the COVID-19 pandemic, job burnout continues to be a top concern facing doctors today.
Most physicians enter the profession due to a passion for the work and feel significant satisfaction in the work they do. However, too often job satisfaction does little to mitigate the extreme stresses placed on them by an increasingly complex and adversarial national healthcare system.
The repercussions of this high burnout risk can be dire. In addition to the damage to individual physicians’ physical and mental health, the AMA survey also reports that physician burnout costs the US health care system an estimated $4.6 billion annually. This cost is due to reduced work hours and physician turnover
as suffering physicians feel they have no choice but to leave the profession to preserve their own health.
“I believe in work-life-balance, it’s a huge issue,” Dr. Lyons said. “This is not a normal or an easy job, or life. But we found a calling to it, and we want to do our best—so organized medicine can help you do that.”
MCMS is working to support physicians in a variety of ways, aiming to treat physicians as a whole person. Dr. Lyons describes MCMS member benefits as being both tangible and intangible.
She references advocacy efforts and collaborations with ArMA as a less tangible benefit—the effects may not always feel immediate, but the end goal is electing legislators who will be understanding and informed and creating legislation that will act in the best interests of physicians, patients, and healthcare.
“We also want to provide tangible benefits,” she said. “We do really want to support our small business groups, our medium groups, our solo practitioners. It is about providing resources in a changing environment.”
Among these tangible benefits, she lists MCMS efforts to provide affordable and accessible continuing medical education, partnerships with businesses who provide services that support physician practice, utilizing the Arizona Physician publication to connect and inform the physician community, and of course hosting social and networking events to provide muchneeded community support.
“You know, our days are so busy,” she said. “And while we might collaborate with other physicians, we are either passing the baton, or we are working on a shift by ourselves, and then we are not always having that meaningful connection. So really connecting us with other physicians, regardless of specialty—it takes some of that burden from us and relieves that frustration.”
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
As uncertain as the future of medicine and healthcare may seem at times, both Drs. Kazi and Lyons believe that organized medicine is not
going anywhere and will still be just as essential moving forward.
“We have no other option but to be organized and one platform, a united front,” Dr. Kazi said. “Organized medicine has to be there, and we have to make it strong.”
To physicians who may feel that their voice is insignificant in the broader healthcare landscape, or to those who believe medical professionals should remain apolitical: both are valid concerns, and they are heard.
Dr. Lyons understands that frustration and says, “when the autonomy of our profession is persistently attacked and eroded by those outside of healthcare, we are compelled to act.”
“As physicians, we must defend our profession to uphold the medical oaths we have taken to serve patients to the best of our abilities. If our capacity to provide care is jeopardized by those who seek to fracture our healthcare system, it is imperative that we unite.”
Together, as physicians and healthcare allies become greater in numbers, Arizona’s medical professionals can collectively strive for a better healthcare system. When physicians local and statewide perspectives are represented in shaping the future of healthcare —a voice for a better tomorrow, starts today. ArMA and MCMS will remain committed to ensuring, as they have done for over century, to support, defend, and protect a thriving medical community and improve outcomes for Arizona patients. ■
By Dominique Perkins Associate Editor Arizona Physician azphysician@mcmsonline.com
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
5 MCMS Education and Advocacy Events in 2025
FEBRUARY 8 | MCMS Orthopedic Shoulder and Knee Surgery CME | This Orthopedic Shoulder and Knee CME (1 credit hr) is presented by Adnan Saithna, MD, FAANA, a renowned Orthopedic Surgeon with over 23 years specializing in arthroscopic (keyhole) and minimally invasive surgery of the knee and shoulder, based in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona.
MAY 1 | MCMS Presents: Mental Health in Medicine: Reducing Stigma and Supporting Wellnes CME | This CME seminar will explore the challenges physicians face, such as burnout, stress, and emotional exhaustion, and emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where mental health is prioritized.
AUGUST 28 | Bridging the Gap: Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities CME | This CME program is designed to educate medical professionals on the impact of health disparities across different populations.
OCTOBER 9 | 2nd Annual MCMS Legislative Meet and Greet | Come join us as we host our 2nd Annual Legislative Meet and Greet—a unique opportunity to connect with policymakers, fellow medical professionals, and healthcare allies in Arizona.
mcmsonline.com/mcms-events
Arizona Physician took the opportunity to discuss multi-faceted and statewide otolaryngology practice, Valley ENT’s success with its physician President, Jordan Weiner, MD. As one of the leading ear, nose, throat, and allergy specialists in Arizona, Valley ENT prides itself for being patient-centric and helping their patients improve their quality of life.
AZP: Dr. Weiner, briefly share with us your medical background.
DR. WEINER: After graduation from Albany Medical College in 1994, I went on to train in otolaryngology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I then entered private practice in Scottsdale where I have practiced since 1999. My practice has encompassed all aspects of ENT, but I now specialize in surgery for obstructive sleep apnea.
AZP: Your focus at Valley ENT is obstructive sleep apnea. Tell us its importance and why early detection is critical for people.
DR. WEINER: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is unfortunately much more than noisy breathing or snoring during sleep. With sleep apnea, there is reduced airflow into the body. This occurs intermittently throughout the night. While most people with sleep apnea don’t wake up during sleep apnea events, the quality and depth of sleep are reduced leading to patients feeling unrefreshed in the morning and often sleepy during the day. Even memory and cognitive function are reduced. During these episodes of reduced airflow/breathing, tremendous stress is placed on the cardiovascular system and brain health is compromised as well. Over many
“While most people with sleep apnea don’t wake up during sleep apnea events, the quality and depth of sleep are reduced leading to patients feeling unrefreshed in the morning and often sleepy during the day.”
—Dr. Weiner
years, this leads to marked increases in the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, heart arrhythmias, heart failure, stroke and dementia.
It is for all of these reasons why treatment is vital both to help patients feel and function better but also to maintain health.
AZP: You are the President of Valley ENT and a practicing physician; how do you juggle your clinical and administrative duties?
DR. WEINER: Most of my time is still spent on patient care. While I do have occasional administrative tasks during business hours, most of my administrative work is after hours. I simply lose some free time…
AZP: Dr. Weiner, you are one the original founders of Valley ENT, share with us a brief history of Valley ENT.
DR. WEINER: After I entered practice following completion of my residency in 1999, I quickly began to observe the imbalances between physicians and the large entities that physicians deal with. This included principally insurance companies but also increasingly hospital systems. While these entities do legitimately serve the interests of their stakeholders, physicians’ interests are not considered. For insurance plans, this generally means reducing compensation for services to whatever degree their market clout allows. In some cases, they will pay physicians below the cost of providing care. For hospital systems, this can mean bringing in employed physicians to
“The practice of medicine is complex and challenging. Working together with our other medical team members makes our practice stronger.”
—Dr. Weiner
complete directly with the established physicians already in the community or in other cases cutting off physicians from patients enrolled in the hospital system’s closed provider network.
Around 2005, I began efforts to bring together high-quality otolaryngologists into the newly formed Valley ENT group. We formed the group in 2007 with 13 physicians. We have grown over time to 38 physicians, 22 audiologists and 4 physician assistants. We are now one of the largest ENT groups in the country. However, we do not grow at the expense of quality and reputation. If a potential physician or group doesn’t meet our requirements, they are not considered.
AZP: What services and programs do Valley ENT provide to patients? Which are the most popular.
DR. WEINER: At Valley ENT, we provide care for the full breadth and scope of otolaryngology. This encompasses patients from newborns to geriatric adults. As a specialty, otolaryngologists take care of disorders of the ear including all forms of hearing loss, nasal and sinus disorders, throat problems ranging from tonsil problems, throat cancer and voice disorders. We also manage breathing problems including nasal obstruction but also sleep apnea. Tumors of the
glands of the face and neck including the salivary glands as well as the thyroid gland are managed by us too.
If hearing loss is significant, most of our locations also provide hearing aid services under the direction of our doctorate-level audiologist, not technicians as might be found in big-box stores.
It’s hard to say what is most popular because each physician and each site is a little different. In some locations, pediatrics might be a very large part of the practice, and they deal a great deal with tonsil problems and ear infections. Another site may specialize entirely in sinus and nasal disorders or ear conditions.
AZP: You have physicians working alongside audiologists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, how has that helped your practice?
DR. WEINER: The practice of medicine is complex and challenging. Working together with our other medical team members makes our practice stronger. We could not take care of ear disorders without the expertise provided by our many audiologists. These professionals have doctorate
degrees in audiology to allow the most accurate diagnosis of ear conditions given the complexity of the auditory (hearing) system. They also provide our hearing aid services so that the patient has continuity of care with the same provider that helped diagnose the hearing loss. Our physician assistants and nurse practitioners can take care of many of the less complex problems common in ENT allowing the physicians to focus on cases of higher complexity requiring surgical management.
AZP: Share with us changes you have seen in otolaryngology in the past 10-15 years?
DR. WEINER: Like many other fields in medicine, otolaryngology has experienced some game-changing advances in recent years. For hearing disorders, the advances in hearing aid technology have been tremendous. Devices are small and far more sophisticated than ever before. This allows for far better hearing results for the patient. In the world of nasal disorders, the development of a
group of medications we call “biologics” has revolutionized the care of patients with inflammatory conditions of the nose and sinuses. These drugs in many cases have eliminated the recurrence of nasal polyps after surgery and thus reduced the need for multiple sinus surgeries. For throat cancer, there have been two very significant developments. One is the emergence of human papilloma virus (HPV) as the leading cause of most throat cancers, replacing cigarette smoking in 2017. This is significant because studies have shown that cancers caused by HPV are less likely to be lethal than similar cancers caused by smoking. Most patients now survive their throat cancer, a wonderful development we have witnessed. This better prognosis is leading to trials of reduced doses of radiation so that patients will not only survive their cancer but have fewer longterm side effects from their treatment. We have also seen the development of “immunotherapy” for cancer with drugs that help the immune system destroy the cancer. This has dramatically helped patients with melanoma for example.
Finally, for sleep apnea surgeons, we now have the ability to treat sleep apnea with an implanted
nerve stimulator that stimulates tongue muscles to keep the airway open during sleep. This has in many cases replaced older, more painful surgeries. Many more people are now getting treatment for their sleep apnea than ever before.
Learn more about Dr. Weiner by visiting azvent.com/providers/ jordan-weiner
AZP: Valley ENT is a truly statewide otolaryngology practice, how were you able to achieve that? Do you see a need for expansion or are you the right size as a practice?
DR. WEINER: We have grown into a statewide practice because of the benefits we provide to practices as a result of joining our group. We have developed and honed all aspects of the business side of medicine. This includes electronic medical records, a professional billing department, internal accounting, IT and human resources and most importantly, the professional management of these areas and the group as a whole. We can do this more efficiently due to our size and do so with a much greater degree of sophistication than possible for a small practice with a few providers. This is eminently scalable, which allows us to bring in a group in another part of the state with relative ease to the benefit of both parties.
I don’t think there is necessarily a “right size” for a practice. Clearly, growth at the expense of quality is undesirable. However, by continuing to grow, we continue to improve the scale of our practice, which reduces costs and allows even greater sophistication and professional management. I do predict that we will continue to grow in the coming years.
As your organization grows, what obstacles do you see in your path forward?
The biggest is by far the government. We have seen huge increases in reporting requirements to the federal government in the name of increasing quality and decreasing cost. The metrics that we report to satisfy the demands of the government are practically irrelevant to the practice of otolaryngology, but it is timeconsuming and expensive to do so.
What, if any, government intervention do you believe is needed to help practices like yours remain successful?
The question implies that government intervention is needed or helpful. Generally, the opposite is true. Thus, the expression laissez-faire or “let go”. If left alone, medicine can flourish. For example, it was the federal government that pushed people’s health insurance into their employment by making this a non-taxable benefit when provided by employers but not when paid for individually during the 1930s. Thus, people’s healthcare insurance became both tied to employment and dictated by the employer, not something an individual would generally choose. On the other hand, when the government restricts trade or harms one’s competition, it does for a time benefit the favored business. However, this is harmful to the consumer and the industry at large, and I would never ask for this type of favor (“intervention”) from government.
What does the future hold for Valley ENT?
The future for Valley ENT is very bright. We have developed into a large, sophisticated practice serving the ENT needs for much of the state of Arizona. We have a strong brand. Our size and scope should position us to be able to deal with both large insurers as well as hospital systems on a fair basis while maintaining our core values. ■
Valley ENT
By the Numbers
Founded in 2007
38 Physicians
4 Physician Assistants
1 Physical Therapist
22 Audiologists
230 Total Employees
Facial Cosmetic Surgical Procedures:
Blepharoplasty, BOTOX – Fillers and Chemical Peels, Deviated Septum, Chin – Neck Liposuction, Ear Surgery, Eyebrow Lift, Facelift & Neck Lift, Rhinoplasty, Nose –Sinus – Facial Fractures
Conditions Treated
EAR – Dizziness, Ear Drainage, Ear Fullness – Plugged Ear, Ear Infections, Ear Noise – Tinnitus, Ear Pain, Hearing Loss – Chronic & Sudden Onset
NOSE – Facial Pain – Pressure, Nasal Allergies, Nasal Mass – Growth, Nasal Obstruction, Nosebleeds, Runny Nose, Sinus Infections, Deviated Septum
THROAT – Hoarseness, Neck Mass/Growth, Tonsilitis, Throat Mucus, Difficulty Swallowing, Mouth Growths, Noisy Breathing,
IMMUNOLOGY – Asthma, Hives
18 Locations
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Mesa, Chandler, Flagstaff, Sierra Vista, Green Valley, Tucson
Connect with Valley ENT azvent.com | 602-258-9859
A Trailblazer’s Path is Rarely a Straight Line
Dr. Kathey Plenge couldn’t have predicted how her life would take shape. However, looking back, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Physician, neurologist, trailblazer, mother, master docent, leader, philanthropist, survivor and the first woman president of the Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS), her self-described “circuitous route” stands as a testament to the power of seizing every opportunity as well as making a few of your own and following where passion and curiosity lead you.
A JOURNEY OF OPPORTUNITY
Born on a little farm in Tennessee, the youngest of 8 children, Kathern Plenge, MD, had never heard of a woman doctor. In college, she began by studying home economics—skills she had developed growing up. But as she followed her interests and expanded her curriculum, adding courses in science, language and liberal arts, Plenge found many of her classes included the same classmates—boys preparing for medical school.
It didn’t take her long to realize: “I’m taking all the same courses they are, maybe I can be a doctor too,” she said.
At the time, women made up only 1-2% of medical school students. Plenge recalls a skeptical academic counselor who called her goal to apply “rather ridiculous.” Learn more about Dr. Plenge by
KATHERN PLENGE, MD
She was accepted to the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and loved every minute of it.
“It was just fascinating,” she said. “I loved it from the very beginning.”
Dr. Plenge accepted a pediatric residency in Tennessee. However, because she graduated in December rather than June, and because she is not
the type to let the grass grow under her feet, she took a job as an ER physician at a community hospital in Florida for the six months until her residency began. And here her life took another turn.
“That’s where I met my husband, and that, of course, changed my life,” she said.
She gave up the residency and stayed on at the
A MEDICAL JOURNEY
community hospital for two years, then moved to Virginia while she was expecting her first child.
Staying home for the months of her pregnancy and childbirth was a challenge for Dr. Plenge, who said she had never in her life gone so long without working. So, when her daughter’s pediatrician told her of a job opening during a three-month check-up, she leapt at the chance.
She worked in the county health department and pediatric practice, and when her husband accepted a job in Phoenix, Arizona, Plenge didn’t waste any time—she called up the local public health department and said, I’m here, and I’m ready to work!
Working part-time allowed her to also be at home with her two young children. When she decided she was ready to specialize, she approached
Learn more about Dr. Plenge by visiting
several colleagues and program directors and arranged opportunities for part-time work or job shadowing to explore the available programs.
Neurology captured her attention—she described it as both fascinating and terrifying— and she applied and was accepted to the Barrow Neurological Institute residency program.
She described the transition from professional medicine back to academics as a steep learning curve, and not one she would necessarily recommend. But the experience that she had gained gave her a wealth of information, and she thoroughly enjoyed neurology. So much so that she stayed with Barrow until she retired in 2001.
“Barrow was a wonderful training program,” she said. “I felt very lucky that I could do a residency there.”
TAKING ON NEW ROLES AND CHALLENGES
As she continued on her path, she stayed open to new opportunities to learn, grow, and connect.
She was active in organized medicine. In 1984 she became the first woman president of the Maricopa County Medical Society and remains an active member to this day.
A huge supporter of Continuing Medical Education, she appreciates the work MCMS puts into offering new CME opportunities to its members, as well as reaching out to include medical students in the work.
“I always thought it was important to support institutions that support you,” she said.
She served as medical director for the NeuroRehabilitation Unit at Barrow for ten years. She also worked with CARF International, an independent nonprofit accreditor of health and human services, which gave her the opportunity to connect with other rehab institutes, as well as the satisfaction of helping ensure that rehab facilities remained certified.
As she prepared to retire, she knew she wanted to find additional interests that would
Dr. Plenge also devoted time to philanthropy and research organizations, raising funds for pediatric research and PhD scholarships. She currently serves on the board of ARCS— Achievement Rewards for College Scientists and is active with PANDA—People Acting Now Discover Answers.
sustain her after leaving an all-consuming profession like full-time medicine. Having always loved art, she completed the Phoenix Art Museum’s Docent training program. She gave her first private tour to her wonderful staff at Barrow, thanking them for their role in supporting her through her Docent training. After retiring, she served in this role for over 22 years, as is now a Master Docent.
She also devoted time to philanthropy and research organizations, raising funds for pediatric research and PhD scholarships. She currently serves on the board of ARCS—Achievement Rewards for College Scientists and is active with PANDA—People Acting Now Discover Answers.
Three years ago, a major challenge emerged to shake the peaceful productivity of her retired life: she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. With no targeted therapies available, she underwent chemotherapy and radiation—a grueling treatment process.
“It’s a frightening experience,” she said. “But a great network of friends and great doctors took good care of me.”
A MEDICAL JOURNEY
Today, she is healthy, and grateful for a full life, a fulfilling professional calling, and all the choices and opportunities that led her here.
DECADES STUDYING THE BRAIN
Plenge’s remarkable career spanned decades and witnessed near-astonishing advances in medical technology, including revolutionary diagnostic and imaging tools and new research examining the relationship between genetics and neurological diseases.
“Early on we barely had CAT scans, and not MRIs,” she said. “MRI scanning changed the way you looked at things, the way you could see things.”
1990-1999 was christened The Decade of the Brain, reflecting a national interagency initiative to enhance public awareness of the benefits inherent in diligent, methodical brain research.
She keeps herself informed on new developments, technologies and techniques, and is excited for the possibilities the future holds, particularly new breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s detection and treatment.
“The genetic markers that they are finding in blood and spinal fluid for some of the diseases are amazing,” she said.
EMBRACING FUTURE CHANGE
Looking forward to the future of medicine and healthcare, Plenge sees plenty of reason for optimism, despite challenges. Exciting breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment are on the horizon, and, as Artificial Intelligence tools become more commonplace, she thinks it will be interesting to watch how it is implemented, and what safeguards will be necessary to ensure it remains some help instead of a hindrance.
“Medicine is changing,” she said. “But it always has been changing.” What will not
Dr. Plenge’s remarkable career spanned decades and witnessed nearastonishing advances in medical technology, including revolutionary diagnostic and imaging tools and new research examining the relationship between genetics and neurological diseases.
change, she says, is the desire to be a physician.
Holding on to that desire is a key part of Plenge’s advice to medical students and newly-practicing physicians as they learn to navigate a challenging and ever-changing healthcare landscape.
“You have to love it, to really want it—because it’s not easy,” she said. Rigorous training, long hours, heavy responsibility and significant pressure are all a part of the same package as the joy of discovery and the satisfaction of helping others heal.
She also stressed the importance of cultivating a well-rounded life—building a support system, taking what time you can to care for yourself, and developing interests outside of medicine.
“Medicine can’t fulfill everything,” she said.
As a last piece of parting advice, she reminds us of all to keep our eyes open, watch and learn. Opportunity might bring something you hadn’t thought of before—like it did for her. ■
By Dominique Perkins Associate Editor Arizona Physician azphysician@mcmsonline.com
PRIVATE PRACTICE BENEFITS AND OBSTACLES
IN TREATING PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Physicians and advanced practice practitioners (APPs) who treat patients and their patients’ family members gain invaluable insight into family medical history, ideals, beliefs, family dynamics, and stressors.
This deeper understanding of your patients helps you to understand a patient’s overall health, identify potential risks related to hereditary conditions and make informed decisions about their care. In this article we will explore some of the benefits of treating family members and the obstacles you may encounter when relationships change.
Patients receive many health benefits from the physician’s understanding of their family history and social circumstances, as well as the convenience of having one primary care physician or APP. The family can schedule preventive care visits together, which is much more convenient for many active families. Patients may be more open to treatment when it is convenient for them. Additionally, they are likely more comfortable seeking care because of their close relationship with you. It’s
a positive and trusting relationship that results in complete patient care.
It does happen, however, that family situations can make treating multiple family members uncomfortable. People disagree, argue, separate, divorce, and that can change the relationship with their mutual medical providers. Often couples share access to private information. If that access is unexpectedly revoked, the party may react negatively. They will likely display common emotions like confusion, distrust, and anger which may then lead to aggressive and belligerent behavior. Violent behavior has become increasingly common over the past few years, and it is crucial to prevent it.
The MICA Risk Team frequently receives calls from members requesting assistance with issues like these. Here are some topics that come up in conjunction with disagreements between family members.
PATIENT PRIVACY
Privacy concerns arise when a patient and their family member(s) disagree about sharing private information. a patient may request that a spouse is no longer a HIPAA Authorized Representative and revoke access. Staff may now need to maintain confidentiality when the patient has previously shared openly with their spouse We see this when a patient chooses not to share certain diagnoses, lab test results, and/or treatments. It is fairly common for patients to request confidentiality of pregnancy or STD test results.
PATIENT TREATMENT PLAN
Patients and their family members sometimes disagree about recommended treatment, especially when a patient has a chronic condition or disease and has decided to forego certain treatments. Unfortunately, disagreements may disrupt office operations and upset other patients. It is not uncommon for a son, daughter, or spouse to call the office asking the physician to convince the patient to continue or to change treatment.
PATIENT DIVORCE
Divorce may place you and your practice staff in the middle of private disputes. Former spouses may insist that they still have access to medical records. Staff then must determine whether the party is authorized to receive the information. Explaining that they no longer have access frequently incites a negative response.
Former spouses may request to schedule appointments “when their ex- isn’t there,” because they are fearful of arguments or confrontation. Such requests place everyone in your office in an untenable situation and accepting unrealistic responsibility. When both parties present to the office at the same time, it could even lead to violence. When children are involved in a divorce situation, parents may have difficulty communicating kindly and conducting themselves responsibly. MICA’s article, Setting Boundaries with Divorced Parents Making Medical Decisions, provides additional guidance. [See excerpt below]
SETTING BOUNDARIES WITH DIVORCED PARENTS MAKING MEDICAL DECISIONS
Physicians, APRNs, PAs, and office staff who interact with these battling parents often feel uncertain about how to respond to their frequent demands. Parents may expect you to:
Take their side,
“Mediate” their disputes,
Accommodate their inappropriate requests, or
Read and interpret lengthy divorce documents.
Parents jockeying for control may act aggressively if you don’t do what they want. Their inappropriate demands, unnecessary phone calls and emails, and hostile behavior frequently disrupt practice operations.
While every call to the Risk Team is different, most practices say they hear one or more of the following demands from divorced parents who don’t get along:
“Don’t give the other parent access to my child’s medical records.”
“Don’t let the other parent’s family member/spouse make appointments or bring my child for an office visit.”
“I want the practice to call me whenever the other parent makes an appointment for my child.”
“When someone else brings the child for an appointment, I want the clinician to call/email me afterward and tell me everything that happened (including what the other parent said).”
“I wasn’t present at the appointment, but I object to the treatment plan, vaccinations, or other medical care that the other parent agreed to.”
Regardless of the nature of the dispute, divorced or separated couples should be expected to maintain a civil relationship while interacting with you and your practice staff. Your office policy, code of conduct, or responsibilities document should clearly communicate that expectation.
SETTING BOUNDARIES
The MICA Risk Team recommends having a Patient Code of Conduct in place as one way to establish the ground rules for patients in your medical practice. MICA’s Creating and Maintaining Positive Patient-Physician Relationships Guide includes information on establishing a code of conduct in your office. We recommend that you train practice staff to understand and use it to defuse potentially volatile situations. Some key issues addressed include:
Refusal to cooperate with practice policies
Threatening or intimidating gestures
Hostile or violent behavior
Statements to clinicians or staff that are harassing, threatening, offensive, or disrespectful It is a good idea to have patients sign your code of conduct as part of their initial registration, update it annually, and maintain the signed code of conduct in the patient registration portion of the electronic medical record. If a patient fails to comply with the practice expectations, produce a copy of the document and remind them of the expected behavior.
With good practice policies in place, you can continue to provide care to patients and their family members. Establishing and communicating expectations for patient behavior will help minimize potential conflict between patients or between patients and staff, and keep patients coming back. When patients feel valued and understand mutual boundaries , they will feel confident in their choice of physician for their family. ■
By Juliana Stanley, MBA, FACMPE Risk Management Consultant Mutual Insurance Company of Arizona (MICA) jstanley@mica-insurance.com
Heads Up!
PRIVACY RULE UPDATES NEED ATTENTION
Healthcare organizations are facing even more change than usual when it comes to protecting patient data privacy. In 2024, two HIPAA Final Rules were adjusted and dozens of states took action on data privacy legislation. Incorporating these new regulations into practical policies, staff training, and Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) is critical. Without timely attention and, in many cases, a change in process or technology, organizations could be facing unintended breaches and civil liabilities.
Here’s what you need to know and how to simplify implementation of the required changes.
HIPAA PRIVACY RULE FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE PRIVACY
This Final Rule, which went into effect on June 25, 2024, protects trust between individuals and healthcare providers by ensuring that protected health information cannot be used or disclosed to investigate or impose liability on someone for the mere act of seeking, obtaining, providing, or facilitating legal reproductive health care. The Final Rule encompasses a wide range of services including miscarriage treatment to prevent excessive bleeding, pregnancy termination, fertility or infertility diagnosis and treatment, assisted reproductive technology, and other diagnoses, treatments, and care affecting the reproductive system.
The Final Rule requires covered health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses to train staff, revise their Notice of Privacy Practices (NPPs), and update BAAs by December 23, 2024. Be sure your
agreement makes clear that the Business Associate is prohibited from disclosing PHI for any investigation or to impose liability for lawful healthcare in the state where it was provided.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (42 CFR PART 2 FINAL RULE)
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued the 42 CFR Part 2 Final Rule on April 6, 2024, which modified and aligned the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records to comply with HIPAA and HITECH regulations. This is designed to provide clarity for both covered entities and patients since confidentiality concerns often prevent patients from seeking treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorders. This Final Rule likely requires changes to privacy policies and updated BAAs. The BAA should also include language that makes clear the Business Associate is agreeing to the limitations and obligations with respect to its use and disclosure of PHI, specifically for substance abuse and reproductive health.
RAPID INCREASE OF STATE CONSUMER DATA PRIVACY LAWS
Since the United States does not have a comprehensive law to mandate consumer data privacy (like the European Union’s GDPR), individual states are crafting their own at a rapid pace. This is leaving healthcare organizations with increased compliance obligations and confusion as they try to distinguish between state and federal regulations. As of the writing of this article, 19 states have passed consumer privacy legislation with 17 more in process.
CHANGES ARE FORCING A BETTER COMPLIANCE PROCESS
As federal and state consumer privacy laws increasingly converge, particularly around protected health information (PHI), the complexity of compliance will continue to stack new rules on top of existing regulations like a dagwood sandwich that is difficult for staff and business associates to digest.
For many organizations, managing this complexity will require a change in process — and the help of technology. Eliminating multiple compliance and learning systems (especially manual processes) will save money and improve efficiency. If you’re still managing policy approvals, acknowledgements, signatures, and storage in separate platforms, you need full-cycle policy management software, like MedTrainer. Similarly, staying updated on changing regulations and adapting course content is very difficult without a healthcare-specific LMS.
I highly recommend taking a few moments to consider MedTrainer, an option that is receiving outstanding recognition for its simplicity and effectiveness. ■
By Brian S. Williams, MHA, MBA Vice President, Compliance Medtrainer brian.williams@medtrainer.com
PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT
Katherine Gallardo, MD, shares her focus on helping adults with ADHD and why she loves being a psychiatrist.
Q: Share with us your medical journey in psychiatry.
A: At an early age I figured out that I liked helping others and sharing kindness and wanted to do that in my career. In college, I discovered psychiatry would be a great way to merge my interest in medicine and the mind. Medical School rotations and volunteering at hospice further helped me cultivate an interest in psychiatry. Ironically, being more outgoing helped me learn how to talk to people and listen better. I was fortunate to match into an amazing residency program in Boston where I learned evidenced-based medicine working in many large hospitals and had a variety of clinic experiences including learning psychotherapy under the guidance of excellent supervisors. The countless hours of preparation were well worth it as I now greatly enjoy my work at the boutique clinic Choulet Performance Psychiatry, where I see patients for both medication management and psychotherapy.
Q: You’re a younger psychiatrist, can you share some of the advantages that may give you with patients?
A: Being on the younger side does indeed help me keep up with my younger patients, and to that end I would say that I am still very young at heart. This energy serves me well as I see adult patients of all ages (18 and up) at Choulet Performance Psychiatry. My area of expertise is working with adults with ADHD, and that’s where my “young” energy can serve especially well. I would gently remind everyone that plenty of adults above the age of 40 have come to me after a loved one recommended, they be assessed for ADHD and I’ve been able to help them as well. My comfort and experience with ADHD come from working at the Harvard University Health Service during the last year of residency. That experience also helped me get more comfortable with the general issues of both undergrad
and grad students and I love watching and supporting them in their achievements and growth. Staying grounded in curiosity and non-judgment helps me ask more thoughtful questions to better understand my patients.
Q: You focus on adults with ADHD, tell us more about that.
A: ADHD is a diagnosis that many adults and especially women may not have gotten growing up. What tends to get attention (and appropriately so) is highly disruptive behavior in young boys. What does NOT get attention is daydreaming and procrastinating because these symptoms are more subtle and don’t present immediate problems in the moment. Unfortunately, life gets more complicated as people age. For adults with ADHD there tends to be a certain tipping point where they are expected to perform in the same way as those without ADHD and it becomes overwhelming. That’s typically when adults will come see me and ask for help. The ADHD brain does not
work in a linear fashion by default, it is more like a cloud of thoughts with intricate connections that may sometimes greatly help and in other circumstances create chaos. Keep in mind that ADHD is highly comorbid with depression and anxiety and sometimes people may come in for help with those symptoms and diagnoses first. Either way, getting treatment is a major first step in a better direction.
Q: Can you share with us some of the mental health issues women deal with more so than men?
A: My areas of expertise are women’s mental health, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. On the topic of ADHD, it is far less often diagnosed in women. Many times, a woman will come to me for an initial evaluation with the issue that she’s being told she’s “anxious and scattered”, and that’s more or less my cue to evaluate for ADHD. Diagnosing ADHD and treating ADHD can result in profound relief because we can take the time to make more sense of things they likely did not recognize as symptoms. We can also begin to build a better framework for how to exist in and improve their lives in the present.
Q: You are a concierge psychiatrist, tell us why you’ve gone in that direction.
A: I really value my long-term relationships with patients and want to make them feel heard. Concierge Psychiatry at Choulet Performance Psychiatry in Scottsdale, AZ allows me to pay more attention to the needs of my patients and provide nuanced treatment that helps them toward wellness. It’s extremely meaningful to me to see people improve their lives over time.
Q: Tell us what you love about being a psychiatrist.
A: Where to begin? I really enjoy the educational aspect of my career in that I get to help patients better understand themselves. Because each patient is unique and brings a different perspective to their reason for visit, I am constantly learning and offered opportunities to expand my knowledge and grow. It is a privilege to work with patients and my colleagues at Choulet Performance Psychiatry. ■
KATHERINE GALLARDO, MD Choulet Performance Psychiatry kgallardomd.com
info@chouletperformance.com (480) 448-6571
TOP SPECIALTY | SURGERY
OVERVIEW | Arizona Advanced Surgery (AAS) provides patients with the highest quality surgical care and the latest surgical techniques. Surgeons at AAS deliver expert surgical care while minimizing disruption to patients’ lives. They routinely perform minimally invasive procedures that dramatically reduce risks and recovery time.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Bariatric surgery, colon & rectal surgery, general surgery, laparoscopic surgery procedures, plastic surgery, robotic surgery, surgical oncology, trauma surgery, and vascular surgery.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 45
LOCATIONS | 14 offices in Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Surprise
MAIN OFFICE | 2945 S Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202 480-969-4138
WEBSITE | arizonaadvancedsurgery.com
TOP SPECIALTY | PEDIATRICS
OVERVIEW | Pediatrix physicians and staff focus on the overall well-being of children. They believe each child is a special individual; thus, they consider the specific needs of the child at each visit. Likewise, Pediatrix address parents’ concerns to help families meet the needs of their children. In cases of children with special needs, Pediatrix coordinates referral care from specialists to ensure the process of care moves smoothly for parents. Children not only experience special attention at Pediatrix; they also receive the finest medical care.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Care of premature infants, care for children with special needs, adolescent care, ADHD management, pediatric nutrition & obesity prevention.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 8
LOCATIONS | 2 offices in Phoenix (Black Canyon & Happy Valley)
MAIN OFFICE | 15650 N Black Canyon Hwy, STE 100, Phoenix, AZ 85053 | 602-866-0550
WEBSITE | pediatrixmd.com
OVERVIEW | As the foremost urogynecology practice in Phoenix, Arizona, Valley Urogynecology Associates offers exemplary care to patients with urinary and gynecologic issues. Valley Urogynecology Associates emphasizes a strong quality of life for every patient. The team offers a variety of treatment options, from conservative nonsurgical care, like lifestyle changes and medication, to advanced treatments, including minimally invasive vaginal surgery and robotic surgery.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Hysterectomies, urinary incontinence, thermiVA, overactive bladders, fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, sacral nerve stimulation, bladder Botox, Vesicovaginal fistula, vaginal suspension, rectovaginal fistula, robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and urethral bulking.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 4
LOCATIONS | 1 office in Phoenix
MAIN OFFICE | 1616 E Maryland Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-788-1521
WEBSITE | valleyurogynecology.com
OVERVIEW | The doctors at Vascular & Interventional Partners are renowned in the Phoenix area for their knowledge and specialized procedural skills. Our expertise comes from decades of combined experience treating some of the most complex medical conditions in Arizona. Our team’s commitment to improving the health and wellness of our patients has helped us become one of the most respected interventional radiology (IR) divisions in the state.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Oncology, venous disease, neurovascular, men & women’s health, spine care, dialysis access, Gi interventions, arterial disease treatment, join pain treatment.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 7
LOCATIONS | 2 offices in Scottsdale and Glendale
MAIN OFFICE | 22455 N Miller Rd #B100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 | 480-613-3445
WEBSITE | vipinternational.com
OVERVIEW | Valley ENT is a multi-practice physician group that specializes in otolaryngology, allergy, audiology, and facial plastics. No matter the ear, nose, and throat problem, the physicians and providers at Valley ENT can take care of the problem with expertise and care.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Adult ENT services, allergies & asthma, facial/cosmetic surgery, snoring & sleep apnea, dizziness & balance, head & neck cancer, swallowing & speech issues, hearing loss & hearing aids, sinus conditions & nasal surgery, thyroid, parathyroid & salivary issues.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 39
LOCATIONS | 18 offices in Phoenix, Glendale, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, Flagstaff, Green Valley, Sierra Vista, and Tucson
MAIN OFFICE | 9097 E Desert Cove, STE 250, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 | 480-614-0499
WEBSITE | azvent.com
TOP SPECIALTY | NEPHROLOGY
OVERVIEW | DKA physicians are tireless advocates for Arizona patients vulnerable or already suffering from CKD and those experiencing end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Their mission is to meet the varied needs of each patient, provide value and excellence in their care, and work to improve every patient’s quality of life.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Chronic kidney disease treatment, kidney transplant management, kidney stone management, kidney transplants, dialysis, diabetic neuropathy, hypertension treatment, hematuria.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 14
LOCATIONS | 16 offices in Phoenix, Avondale, Chandler, Mesa, Casa Grande, Florence, Gilbert, Globe, Lake Havasu, Maricopa, Prescott, San Tan Valley, Show Low, and Sun Lakes.
MAIN OFFICE | 612 W Baseline Rd, Mesa, AZ 85210 480-834-9039
WEBSITE | desertkidney.com
OVERVIEW | DISC is an orthopedic spine center of excellence practice serving spine patients in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. DISC surgeons treat a wide array of spine conditions such as herniated disc, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. DISC provides compassionate and customized patient care to those suffering in pain.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Artificial disc replacement, endoscopic spine surgery, selective endoscopic discectomy, endoscopic visualized dorsal rhizotomy, and endoscopic foraminoplasty.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 5
LOCATIONS | 6 offices in Phoenix, Gilbert, Glendale, and Scottsdale
MAIN OFFICE | 1635 E Myrtle Ave, STE 400, Phoenix, AZ 85020 | 602-944-2900
WEBSITE | sciatica.com
OVERVIEW | AOC provides multiple levels of comprehensive primary ENT care including the diagnosis and management of all diseases of the ears, nose, throat, and sinuses.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Management of pediatric airway, cancer, skill base surgery, neuro-otology, advanced head & neck surgery, craniofacial surgery, ENT diseases, pediatric otolaryngology, laryngology, endoscopic sinus surgery, audiology & hearing aids, voice & swallowing disorders, thyroid & parathyroid.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 8
LOCATIONS | 3 offices in Phoenix, Glendale, and Mesa
MAIN OFFICE | 4530 E Shea Blvd, STE 180, AZ 85028 602-264-4834
WEBSITE | aocphysicians.com
TOP SPECIALTY | OPHTHALMOLOGY
OVERVIEW | Associated Retinal Consultants has an experienced team of Arizona eye specialists that diagnose and treat vision problems. Their focus is on the retina and macula (the back of the eye) and the vitreous humor (gel like tissue) in the eye.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Retinal diseases, ocular oncology, inherited retinal disease, retina surgery, and clinical trials.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 10
LOCATIONS | 13 offices in Phoenix, Gilbert, Goodyear, Mesa, Scottsdale, Peoria, Prescott Valley, Prescott, Casa Grande, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Payson, and Sedona.
MAIN OFFICE | 1750 E Glendale Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85020 602-242-4928
WEBSITE | associatedretinalconsultants.com
TOP SPECIALTY | RADIATION ONCOLOGY
OVERVIEW | Radiation Oncologists of Central Arizona, LLP (ROCA) has been offering compassionate, cutting-edge cancer treatment to Valley residents for over 20 years at the premier hospital-based cancer centers in metro Phoenix. ROCA physicians are internationally recognized leaders in advanced radiotherapy technology and have introduced state-of-the-art therapies to the Valley. ROCA physicians have also provided Arizona’s cancer patients access to clinical trials through collaborative research organizations.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, trigeminal neuralgia, abdominal cancer, acoustic neuroma, and arteriovenous malformations (AVM).
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 4
LOCATIONS | 1 office in Phoenix
MAIN OFFICE | 4611 E Shea Blvd, STE 120, Phoenix, AZ 85028 602-441-3845
WEBSITE | phoenixcyberknifecenter.com
TOP SPECIALTY | KIDNEY, LIVER, & PANCREAS SURGERY
OVERVIEW | Arizona Transplant Associates has continued to wage war on cancer for decades.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Whipple procedures, liver resections, liver transplants, kidney transplants, kidneypancreas transplants, pancreas transplants, and other pancreas & bile duct resections.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 6
LOCATIONS | 1 office in Phoenix
MAIN OFFICE | 2218 N 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-252-2543
WEBSITE | aztransplant.com
TOP SPECIALTY | OPHTHALMOLOGY
OVERVIEW | At Retinal Consultants of Arizona, they diagnose and find new innovative treatments for retinal conditions. Their goal is to provide patients the best possible outcomes for their unique retinal needs.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, flashes, floaters, macular degeneration, macular holes, macular pucker, posterior vitreous separation, retinal artery occlusions, retinal detachment, retinal tears, retinal vein occlusions, and uveitis
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 7
LOCATIONS | 15 offices in Phoenix, Gilbert, Mesa, Peoria, Scottsdale, Bullhead City, Flagstaff, Kingman, Payson, Prescott, Yuma, and Yuma Foothills
MAIN OFFICE | 1101 E Missouri Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85014 602-222-2221
WEBSITE | retinalconsultantsaz.com
OVERVIEW | At Arizona Preferred Surgeons, their surgeons are skilled in complex decision making and diagnosis, as well as treatment and management.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | From anal fistula & fissures, appendectomies, breast surgery, colon cancer surgery, colonoscopies & upper endoscopies, Crohn’s & Ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, fecal incontinence, gallbladder surgery, gastric resection, hernia surgery, hemorrhoids, and Nissen Fundoplication.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 3
LOCATIONS | 1 office in Glendale
MAIN OFFICE | 18699 N 67th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85308 602-995-0822
WEBSITE | azpreferredsurgeons.com
TOP SPECIALTY | PAIN MANAGEMENT
OVERVIEW | Mountain View Headache and Spine Institute provides one-on-one chronic pain management services. In addition to medication management, they offer a variety of pain-relieving therapies.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Bone Marrow Concentrate, injections, infusions, nutraceuticals, and manual therapy.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 3
LOCATIONS | 2 offices in Phoenix and 1 in Peoria
MAIN OFFICE | 2222 E Highland Ave, STE 110, Phoenix, AZ 85016 | 602-767-0007
WEBSITE | mountainviewheadacheandspine.com
TOP SPECIALTY | DERMATOLOGY
OVERVIEW | Arizona Dermatology is proud to be a leader in the skin care industry and they strive to provide the highestquality medical dermatology, skin cancer treatments, cosmetic procedures, and med spa aesthetic services in Arizona. They use advanced techniques, expertise, and state of the art technology that allow them to provide unparalleled skin care results.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Medical Dermatology (wart removal, acne treatments, psoriasis treatments, rosacea treatments, vitiligo treatments, melasma treatments), skin cancer (skin cancer screening, Mohs therapy skin cancer treatment), Botox, facial fillers, and Medspa services (intense pulse light therapy (IPL), micro-needling, chemical peels, vascular laser, dermaplaning, and microdermabrasion).
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 6
LOCATIONS | 5 offices in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Apache Junction, Mesa, and Show Low
MAIN OFFICE | 4835 E Cactus Rd, STE 155, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 | 602-996-3050
WEBSITE | arizonaderm.com
TOP SPECIALTY | PEDIATRICS
OVERVIEW | Pleasant Pediatrics was founded in 2008 by a devoted husband-wife team with a vision of providing compassionate, family-centered care. The Pleasant Pediatrics logo of three joyful children (inspired by the founders’ triplets) represents their inspirations and commitment to nurturing every child’s wellbeing.
SERVICES AND CONDITIONS TREATED | Routine well child exams, sports physicals for school, immunizations, TB skin testing, hemoglobin, urinalysis, rapid strep treatment, flu testing, pregnancy testing, antibiotic injections, circumcision, ear lavage, frenectomy (tongue tie), umbilical granuloma, and nebulizer treatments.
NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS | 16
LOCATIONS | 8 offices in Peoria, Glendale, Ahwatukee, and Phoenix
MAIN OFFICE | 9059 W Lake Pleasant Pkwy, STE E540, Peoria, AZ 85382 | 623-322-3380
WEBSITE | pleasantpediatrics.com
Arizona
326 E Coronado Rd, Suite 101
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 417-2303
information@arizonaphysician.com
Ann Cheri Foxx Leach, MD, D.ABA MCMS Board Director President, Nocio Interventional Pain Management
