ArMA Announces 133rd President Dr. Nadeem Kazi and Newly Elected Board Members

July 1, 2024

Alongside other elected leaders, ArMA's newest president strives to address some of the largest issues facing physicians and their patients, including commercial medical insurance, healthcare inequity, and childhood obesity.

PHOENIX, Arizona — The Arizona Medical Association is pleased to announce Nadeem Kazi, MD, AGAF, as the organization's esteemed 133rd president. Under the leadership of Dr. Kazi and its newly elected board members, ArMA will continue its mission to champion patient care and strengthen healthcare for the communities we serve.

Dr. Kazi is a practicing gastroenterologist, dedicated physician and patient advocate, and passionate philanthropist. After visiting Arizona in the late 1990s, Dr. Kazi was struck by the unusually high rate of young people experiencing advanced liver disease and cancer. In 1997, he began practicing medicine in Arizona and established a solo medical practice in Casa Grande. Throughout his 27 years of caring for patients in Casa Grande, he has become a pillar of the community and deeply respected by those he compassionately serves.

“I am deeply honored to contribute to the Arizona Medical Association’s rich legacy of serving physicians and their patients,” stated Dr. Kazi. “Throughout my practice, I have witnessed the power and success of collective action in healthcare again and again. From commercial medical insurance to inequity in healthcare, the largest challenges threatening Arizonans can only be met by organizations like ArMA. As president, I stand ready to tirelessly and loudly advocate for physicians and their patients.”

Dr. Kazi's presidential priorities include securing commercial medical insurance reform, increasing private practice viability, protecting quality health care, addressing healthcare workforce shortages, and implementing programs to curb the childhood obesity crisis.

“I’m very pleased that Dr. Nadeem Kazi will serve as my successor and the organization’s next president. He brings a wealth of experience, a visionary mindset, and a passion for our mission that is truly inspiring,” said ArMA's outgoing president, William C. Thompson IV, MD, FASA.

Dr. Kazi is a long-time, active member of ArMA, having served in nearly every leadership role within the organization. He is a leader who not only understands the complexities and challenges facing our healthcare community but also possesses the ability to creatively navigate them with foresight.

In addition to Dr. Kazi, the following individuals have been elected to ArMA's Board of Directors and will begin their terms on July 1, 2024:

  • Jason Jameson, MD — President-elect
  • Urologist — Urology Care Clinic, Tucson
  • Corinna Saldanha, DO — Secretary
  • Anesthesiologist — Valley Anesthesiology Consultants, Phoenix
  • Laura Mercer, MD — Executive Committee Member At-Large
  • OB/GYN — University of Arizona, Phoenix
  • Michael Dunn, MD — Maricopa Director
  • Family Medicine — Primary Care Practice of AZ, Gilbert
  • Ilana Addis, MD — Pima Director
  • OB/GYN — Banner University Medical Center, Tucson
  • Stephen Curtin, MD — At-large Director
  • Orthopedic Spine Surgeon — Tucson Orthopedic Institute, Tucson
  • Viktorya Tannenbaum, MD — Medical Resident Director
  • Pediatric Residency — Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix
  • Thomas Varkey, MD — Medical Resident Director
  • Neurology Residency — Banner University Medical Center, Phoenix
  • Jennifer Codd — Medical Student Director
  • 4th Year Medical Student — University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix
  • Adam Thompson — Medical Student Director
  • 3rd Year Medical Student — University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson


The new board members join a dynamic group of leaders dedicated to advancing ArMA's mission. Collectively, members of ArMA's Board of Directors are responsible for good governance, strategic leadership, financial management, and promoting the interests of Arizona's medical community.

"We are thrilled to welcome these accomplished individuals to our board," stated Libby De Bie, ArMA CEO. "With the support of our board, staff, members, and community partners, ArMA will continue to strive towards the goal of making Arizona the best state to practice medicine and receive care in the U.S.”

In addition to welcoming new members, ArMA extends its heartfelt gratitude to its outgoing board members for their service and leadership, including: Timothy Beger, MD (2016–2024), Robert Aaronson, MD (2016-2024), Ajay Bhatnagar, MD (2018-2024), Dale Guthrie, MD (2015-2024), Lee Ann Kelley, MD (2021-2024), Ricardo Verdiner, MD (2021-2024), Elizabeth Braunreuther, MD (2023-2024), Carleen Cuevas (2023-2024), and Eshaan Kashyap (2023-2024).

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 .