Advocacy in Action: Dr. Gary Kirkilas II on Taking Pediatric Care and Policy on the Road

April 24, 2025

Dr. Gary Kirkilas II on Taking Pediatric Care & Policy on the Road

Dr. Gary Kirkilas doesn't practice medicine in a typical office. His clinic is a 40-foot mobile medical unit that travels to shelters throughout Phoenix, providing essential pediatric care to children and families facing homelessness. However, his mission goes far beyond the exam room. After seeing the real-world consequences of youth cannabis use and advertising targeting children, Dr. Kirkilas began pushing for policy changes to protect some of Arizona’s most vulnerable patients.

That commitment brought him to the Arizona State Capitol, where his advocacy efforts are recognized by fellow advocates and legislators he’s collaborated with over the years. Through his work with the Arizona Medical Association and the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, he shaped public health policies and elevated physician voices in conversations that matter.

In our "Advocacy in Action" interview, Dr. Kirkilas reflects on what moved him to act, what it takes to advance change, and how others in medicine can become more engaged in shaping the future of care.


How many times have you served in ArMA’s Doctor of the Day program? What has been the most memorable part?


"I believe it has been 4 times now. My most memorable moment was just this last legislative session when I was being introduced in the Senate & House while standing in the gallery. During my introduction I was able to meet eyes with several different legislators on the floor that I’ve worked with in the past four years on the cannabis advertising bill. It was nice being recognized by our legislators as someone who is working for the common good for Arizona children."


Click here to read into House Bill 2179, the marijuana and advertising legislation Dr. Kirkilas authored, as he mentioned above.


You’ve turned advocacy into action by authoring ArMA-supported legislation. What inspired you to take that step, and what was the process like?


"As a pediatrician who travels daily to different shelters/schools within the inner city, I have come to see how youth substance use negatively affects their potential to lead a healthy and happy life. I’ve also seen in my travels many cannabis advertisements that directly target youth. I know youth targeting is just one small part of the problem, but it’s one small part that I can take on to better my patient’s lives and potential."

 

How have you expanded your reach outside of the Arizona State Capitol?


"I’ve made several trips to the U.S. Capitol to speak on behalf of several agencies that are also trying to stem the tide of youth substance use. It critically important to remind our federal legislators that any attempts to make cannabis legal federally will absolutely have impacts on our youth. I’ve also made appearances at medical and parenting conferences to help spread awareness that our youth are being targeted."


How has organized medicine supported your advocacy efforts?


"Partnering with groups like the Arizona Medical Association and the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has really been a game changer for me. They have a wealth of advocacy and lobbying experience as well relationships with legislators that I have benefited from. They have stood at the war front with me for several years and have been a tremendous source of support."


What advice would you give to physicians who are hesitant to get involved in advocacy?


"JUMP IN! Most physicians are unaware of how many legislative bills that get introduce that would directly affect their profession and patients. We absolutely need to be present and vocal with our profession, if we don’t, we only have ourselves to blame if bills gets signed into law that negatively affect us."


How do you prepare for a day at the Capitol to be the best advocate?

"I try to read up on the legislators that I’m going to meet with to see if we have some commonality. This is an important starting point to get partnership rolling."


What hopes do you have for Arizona’s physician advocacy in the future?


"I would hope for a more robust showing of both practicing physicians and those who are retired to come down to the capital and testify on bills. I would also hope that more Arizona physicians would contribute financially to the Arizona Medical Political Action Committee, or ArMPAC.


This may seem like a shameless plug, but I can tell you from first-hand experience, it is an absolute necessity. Other allied health professionals contribute greatly to their PACs and, as a result, have made great strides in their scope of practice. Physicians can no longer sit by idly: we must have a strong voice, and that can only happen when we all support ArMPAC."


Click here to explore Arizona Medical Political Action Committee (ArMPAC)'s advocacy priorities and the House of Medicine's potential with your backing support.

ADHS Issues Standing Orders for Flu, COVID-19 Vaccine Access

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
Statewide orders keep pharmacists and physicians authorized to vaccinate Arizonans amid uncertainty over the next ACIP meeting. Statewide Orders Cover the 2026-27 Flu & COVID Season The Arizona Department of Health Services has issued statewide standing orders supporting access to the 2026-27 influenza and COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Arizonans seeking a flu or COVID-19 vaccine should contact their physician or pharmacy to confirm availability. Why the Orders Were Issued Arizona pharmacists may administer vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for international travel, or vaccines authorized under a prescription, including a physician-issued public health standing order. With the timing of the next ACIP meeting uncertain, ADHS worked with the Arizona Board of Pharmacy to issue statewide standing orders for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which function as a prescription allowing pharmacists and physicians across Arizona to administer them to anyone who wants one. ADHS Medical Advisor Weighs In "Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to protect our communities. The Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines help us limit the spread of disease, reduce pressure on our healthcare system and reduce costs," said Dr. Richard Carmona, ADHS public health medical advisor and the 17th U.S. Surgeon General. "We have issued these standing orders to ensure safe and timely access to the vaccines in alignment with scientific and evidence-based guidance." What Arizonans Should Know The standing orders do not require every pharmacy to offer vaccinations, and they do not guarantee insurance coverage for administration. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan, so Arizonans should check with their insurance provider before scheduling an appointment. 

Arizona Asks Supreme Court to Halt Prison Health Care Takeover

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
State attorneys seek an emergency stay after lower courts reject bids to delay receivership of the prison health care system. State Makes a Last-Ditch Appeal Attorneys for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry asked the U.S. Supreme Court this week to delay a court-ordered receivership of the state's prison health care system. The request comes after both a federal district court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause the takeover. In the recent application, former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, a representative of the department, argued that the state deserves more time to make its case before surrendering control of its operations, including oversight of its employees and health care budget. Roots of the Case The dispute began in 2012 when inmates sued the department, alleging the prison system's inadequate medical, mental health, and dental care amounted to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. The case went through years of litigation and a failed settlement agreement. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver ruled that the health care system was "grossly inadequate." The court ordered the prison healthcare system to comply with more than 150 "quality indicators," but according to court-appointed monitors, the department failed to comply with 131 of the measures. In light of this finding, Silver named Annette Chambers-Smith, former director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, to take over as receiver effective Oct. 19. Arguments on Both Sides Clement argues receivership should be the last resort and that Silver moved to it too quickly. He asserts that the department has made measurable progress, including growing its health care staffing by more than 50%, expanding substance-use treatment access, and adopting a new care model. Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project, which represents the roughly 25,000 people incarcerated in Arizona prisons, called the department's request a "Hail Mary" and said Silver had given the department years of opportunities to comply before ordering receivership. What Happens Next The Supreme Court has not yet set a deadline for the plaintiffs to respond to the stay request. Separately, the 9th Circuit is now reviewing the merits of the receivership order itself. The department filed its opening brief on Sept. 15, and the plaintiffs' response is due Oct. 15. Information in this article was sourced from the Arizona Mirror .