ArMA Member Spotlight: Bradley Butler, MD

October 16, 2023
Portrait of Leah Sanford in glasses, smiling against a gray background with a purple frame and award badge.

We are honored to introduce this month's ArMA Member Spotlight, Bradley Butler, MD! Dr. Butler is an emergency physician at Phoenix Veterans Affairs Medical Center. We have been honored to have Dr. Butler as a member since his medical school days at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson!


In his interview for our Member Spotlight, Dr. Butler shares stories about his service in the Navy Reserves — including his role as Specialty Leader for Emergency Medicine for Navy Reserve Medicine — and how he approaches caring for his patients. ArMA extends our thanks to Dr. Butler for his service to not only Arizona's patients and veterans but for his service to our entire country. 


Learn all about Dr. Butler's journey with medicine below!

What inspires you?


I think the better question is “Who” inspires me? For that question, I have many answers. Both of my parents inspired me to succeed in elementary and high school as well as serving as my inspiration to attend the University of Arizona, our family school (our kids were 4th generation Wildcats). My parents also inspired me to pursue my two career choices- medicine (my father’s side of the family) and education (my mother’s side of the family). I was torn during my college years and a student teaching honors biology at Tucson High School confirmed that teaching was not for me, and I went to medical school instead and have never looked back! 


My sister-in-law Kelli Butler inspires me to be politically active. As someone who served 3 terms in our state legislature as my state rep, she constantly serves as a model as someone who dedicates their time and money in service to our community and state.


My wife of 33 years inspires me and reminds me of the importance of family and always keeping close and hosting and attending family gatherings.


I have many friends and colleagues who are University of Arizona Wildcats who inspire me to always remember my alma mater and are examples to me of the critical importance of philanthropy and always “giving back” to those who need your help.


Finally, I have several military colleagues who serve as inspiration to me and remind me of the importance of selfless service to our great country which has given so much to all of us in America!


What has been the biggest change in your career?


Certainly, when I was finally able to pursue and achieve my goal of joining the military at age 40; it took me 2 wars and 20 years to finally get my childhood asthma waived, enabling me to achieve my goal of serving in our military. Since joining the Navy Reserves in 2009, I have deployed four times — more than most of my active-duty friends.

What success in your career are you most proud of?


I am most proud of my successes in the Navy Reserves, including being promoted to 06, serving as the Specialty Leader for Emergency Medicine for Navy Reserve Medicine, and soon serving for the next two years as the Deputy Corps Chief for all 650 Navy Reserve physicians in Washington, D.C., starting this January.

What would the title of your autobiography be? What would the last chapter be

about?


“Moderation is for wimps.” I have always lived life to the fullest, sometimes to my physical, mental, and/or financial detriment. The last chapter... TBD!


How has a book changed your perspective on life?


All of Stephen King’s books have changed my life in the fact that they made me a voracious reader by age 11. This skill/passion has been very beneficial as it has encouraged me to read so many diverse books throughout my life.


What's a project you're working on right now? Why is it meaningful to you?


I am working on funding a scholarship program modeled after the Flinn Scholarship, geared towards outstanding senior students at the UofA to encourage them to pursue graduate degrees at Arizona instead of going out of state. The goal is to have them spend 2-4 more years at the UofA to give them a more deeply rooted sense of connection to the UofA and the state of Arizona.


What would you be up to if you weren't pursuing medicine right now?


I would be a high school counselor in the Peoria Unified School District.


What would you like to be remembered about you?


That I passionately gave back to my alma mater, my community, my state, and my country.


What is one message you would give to your 18-year-old self?


Maybe consider a little moderation in your life 😊

What do you like best about living in Arizona?


Easy question- FAMILY!


What would people be surprised to learn about you?


That I am not entirely as intense as I seem to be.


What does a typical day in your life look like?


A lot of working out interspaced with a movie at a Harkins theater with some occasional work thrown in.

How would you describe your approach to patient care?


Always treating my patients like I would treat my own family (or, usually better, as most of my family members have had stitches performed on them on the bathroom floor in our house, often without anesthesia…)


How do you unwind after a stressful day?


A nice relaxing and delicious dinner with family.


How do you define success?


Finding a job that is so interesting and meaningful that you never consider it “going to work.”


What prompted you to become involved in organized medicine?


Too many of our colleagues either don’t know or don’t care that they are all benefiting from what organized medicine does for us and our patients. It is our responsibility to support (with our time, talents, and resources) the organizations that support us and our patients!

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 .