2025 ArMA Health Care Awards Presented to Local Champions, Leaders During Arizona Physicians Month

Twelve Arizona leaders, physicians, and organizations were honored by the state's largest physician-led organization for their dedication to supporting, delivering, and advocating for high-quality health care in Arizona.

2025 ArMA Health Care Award Recipients

Distinguished Service Award: Jennifer Hartmark-Hill, MD

Presented to an individual or organization providing outstanding service to the community, the Distinguished Service Award is ArMA's highest honor. This year, the award was presented to Jennifer Hartmark-Hill, MD. A distinguished medical educator, research mentor, and social justice advocate, Dr. Hartmark-Hill has spent her career championing the intersection of medicine, education, and public health. Her dedication to service is evident in her work providing primary care to vulnerable populations, including her efforts at Federally Qualified Health Centers and her leadership with Street Medicine Phoenix, where she has played a crucial role in delivering care to individuals experiencing homelessness. Read more.

David O. Landrith Humanitarian Award: Sara Beste, MD

The David O. Landrith Humanitarian Award is presented to an individual who acts unselfishly to improve their community, as the award’s namesake — ArMA’s long-time lobbyist and vice president of policy and political affairs — did before his passing in 2015. This year’s recipient of the David O. Landrith Humanitarian Award is Sara Beste, MD. As St. Vincent de Paul's Co-Director of Pediatric Medicine, Dr. Beste creates a vital bridge between hospitals and community care. Read more.

ArMA & ADHS Public Health Service Award: Holly Geyer, MD

Presented jointly by ArMA and the Arizona Department of Health Services, the ArMA & ADHS Public Health Service Award recognizes an Arizona individual, organization, or educational program for their significant contributions to public health. This year’s recipient is Holly Geyer, MD, an associate professor of medicine and consultant in Mayo Clinic Arizona’s Division of Hospital Internal Medicine. A nationally recognized expert on opioids and addiction neurobiology, Dr. Geyer has authored more than 200 journal articles, book chapters, abstracts, and educational pieces. Read more.

Award in Memory of Edward Sattenspiel, MD: Lindsay Ackerman, MD

This award is given in memory of Edward Sattenspiel, MD, a former ArMA president and champion for health care in Arizona, in recognition of an individual’s long-term commitment to organized medicine. ArMA is proud to name Lindsay Ackerman, MD, as this year’s recipient for her dedication to advancing organized medicine. She has served on the American Academy of Dermatology’s American Medical Association Delegation since 2005 and has influenced national dermatologic policy through AAD task forces, the Women’s Dermatologic Society, and the Dermatology Foundation Advisory Council. Read more.

Health & Fitness Award: Teresa Bertsch, MD

The Health & Fitness Award recognizes someone dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our communities. This year’s recipient, Dr. Teresa Bertsch, has made an extraordinary impact on mental health access and clinician wellness across the state. Dr. Bertsch is the chief medical officer and chief wellbeing officer for The NARBHA Institute and chief executive officer of its behavioral health accountable care organization, The Alliance. In these roles, she oversees medical strategy, quality, and transformational initiatives across NARBHA’s affiliates. Read more.

Walk the Talk Award: Ashley Chambers, JD

ArMA’s Walk the Talk Award recognizes those who go above and beyond in support of medicine, particularly in health policy. This year, ArMA proudly honors Ashley Chambers, JD, for her unwavering commitment to advocating for children’s health in her capacity as Arizona Families for Vaccines’ Executive Director. She also serves as director of legal affairs for SAFE, where she specializes in coalition-building and policy translation to make complex legal issues accessible to diverse stakeholders, including community groups, businesses, and policymakers. Read more.

Walk the Talk Award: Brandi Giles, RN

ArMA’s Walk the Talk Award recognizes those who go above and beyond in support of medicine, particularly in health policy. ArMA is proud to recognize the achievements of Brandi Giles, RN. Brandi significantly impacts vaccine and public health advocacy through her roles with the Arizona Families for Vaccines and Mountain Park Health Center. In these roles, she works tirelessly to promote vaccine access, combat misinformation, and empower communities to make informed health decisions. Read more.

Wallace A. Reed, MD Award: Hahn Soe-Lin, MD

The Wallace A. Reed, MD Award, named after the anesthesiologist who opened Arizona’s first free-standing ambulatory surgical facility, recognizes innovation in healthcare. This year’s award is presented to Dr. Hahn Soe-Lin. Dr. Soe-Lin was recognized for his innovative program, the Knowledge Donor Program, which addresses a major gap in medical education wherein 22% of surgical residents don’t complete their training due to a lack of hands-on experience. Read more.

C.H. William Ruhe, MD Award: Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson

The C.H. William Ruhe, MD Award recognizes excellence in innovation, creativity, and successful implementation of new ideas that enhance continuing medical education, graduate medical education, or other professional learning in Arizona. This year, we are proud to present the award to the University of Arizona College of Medicine ‒ Tucson's Department of Psychiatry, which is led by Jordan Karp, MD. The department has spearheaded efforts to comprehensively prevent and treat psychiatric disorders, conduct cutting-edge research, prepare future clinicians, scientists, and educators through rigorous, experiential education, and strives to provide responsive community outreach and compassionate service. Read more.

National Leadership Award: Priya Radhakrishnan, MD

The National Leadership Award recognizes an Arizona physician who has made a significant impact through leadership in a national medical organization. This year, we proudly honor Priya Radhakrishnan, MD. As the American College of Physicians’ Chair Emeritus of the Board of Governors, Dr. Radhakrishnan is at the forefront of national advocacy efforts, championing transgender health, physician mental well-being, and reproductive healthcare access. Read more.

Rising Star Award: David Baltazar, DO
The Rising Star Award recognizes a medical student, resident, fellow, or early-career physician who shows exceptional enthusiasm and leadership in organized medicine. This year’s recipient is David Baltazar, DO, a passionate physician advocate who is already making a significant impact on Arizona's healthcare landscape. Dr. Baltazar is an early career physician and dermatologist who has demonstrated impressive leadership since being appointed to ArMA’s Resident & Fellow Section Governing Council in 2020, where he later served as chairperson. He now sits on ArMA's Board of Directors, its American Medical Association Delegation, and several key committees, including the Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee. Read more.

President’s Award: Libby De Bie, CAE

The President's Award is a prestigious honor given by the association's outgoing president. It recognizes an individual who provided invaluable support to the president throughout their term. This year, ArMA's 133rd President, Nadeem Kazi, MD, AGAF, recognized Libby De Bie, CAE. Libby served as ArMA’s Chief Executive Officer for eight years before retiring earlier this year. During her tenure, the organization made tremendous strides, from leading the physician community through the COVID-19 pandemic to addressing the state’s dire healthcare workforce shortage. Read more.

ArMA's 134th President, Jason Jameson, MD, presented this year's awards and highlighted the unique contributions each recipient has made to healthcare in Arizona. “Our awardees’ tireless efforts and groundbreaking work serve as an inspiration to us all, and it is through their dedication that we continue to make strides towards a healthier and more compassionate world,” shared Dr. Jameson during the ceremony. To learn more about our awardees and their achievements, visit our website.

A large gathering of healthcare community leaders and physicians was present for the 2025 ArMA Health Care Awards Ceremony, which took place during the association's annual Uplift Fundraising Gala at the Sheraton Hotel at Wrigleyville West in the Phoenix Metro area on Saturday, April 5.

The evening began with an announcement of Governor Hobbs’ proclamation of April as Arizona Physicians Month, an observation to recognize "...physicians' invaluable contributions in Arizona… [and] …to celebrate their service, commitment, and impact on patient care, public health, and medical innovation.” The Governor’s proclamation, co-signed by Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, was on display for attendees.

After honoring awardees, the gala concluded with a live auction, which raised funding for the ArMA Foundation's initiatives to address childhood obesity, promote 'Blue Zone' communities, further patient screening for the social determinants of health, and support medical student education.

To view the full press release online and download digital assets, visit ArMA's Newsroom: www.azmed.org/page/releases.

Digital Assets

[Images] ArMA Health Care Award Recipients

[Image] Douglas Laher, MBA, CAE, CMP, Headshot
[Image] Jason Jameson, MD, Headshot
[PDF] Governor Katie Hobbs' Proclamation of Arizona Physicians Month