ArMA Member Spotlight: George Bradbury III, MD!

May 6, 2024
Portrait of Leah Sanford in glasses, smiling against a gray background with a purple frame and award badge.

We are so excited to introduce this month's ArMA Member Spotlight, George Bradbury III, MD! Dr. Bradbury attended medical school at Johns Hopkins University. He completed his residency training at the University of Arizona and, shortly after, served in Yokosuka, Japan, as an orthopedic surgeon for the United States Navy. In 2006, Dr. Bradbury relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where he began his legacy of impacting the practice of medicine in the Southwest. Dr. Bradbury has been an ArMA member since 2009, and he currently serves on our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce.



Dr. Bradbury has always worked to inspire others. In 2022, he gave a powerful talk on the role and value of leadership in an independent medical practice (which you can view here). Learn all about Dr. Bradbury's journey with medicine below!

What has been the biggest change in your career?


"The transition from clinical medicine to focus on systemic problems of wellness and health. I have come full circle from my initial interest in Family Practice to a career in orthopedic surgery, back to leading a team of nurse practitioners delivering care to the sickest of the sick and poorest of the poor."


What inspires you?


"I am inspired by the possibilities of the future and the power of human connection."


What are your 3 favorite movies?


"Everything Everywhere All at Once". "Jaws." "Amadeus."


How has a book changed your perspective on life?


"Daniel Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow sparked my interest in human perception, thought, and behavior. He was a remarkable human who started the field of behavioral economics. That book set me down a path lined with many other books on related topics."


Where is your favorite place to grab a bite in Arizona?


"Feast restaurant in Tucson. Great food that changes monthly and never disappoints."


What success in your career are you most proud of?


"I hope I have inspired those I work with to believe in themselves and have a 'growth' outlook on their lives. If I inspire them to have a richer, more fulfilling life, that is enough."


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


"I am working with Catholic Community Services to develop a medical respite facility for people experiencing homelessness. When they are injured or ill, we will provide a stable discharge location after hospitalization. Our goal is to restore their health and provide support to regain housing and other basic needs on a permanent basis."


If you weren't pursuing medicine, what would you be up to right now?


"Advocating for a more equitable society."


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


"Don't be seduced by the 'certainty' of a linear path through life. The twists and turns of a non-linear path are far more rewarding. Go where your interests take you, not where you are told to go."


What do you like best about living in Arizona?


"This is an amazing state with many opportunities for outdoor activities. At one point in my life, it was ideal for the endurance sports training I was involved in."

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

What would people be surprised to learn about you?


"I did a solo swim from Europe to Africa."


What prompted you to become involved in organized medicine?


"When I entered private practice after the Navy, I recognized that the 'system' requires decisions be made on an ongoing basis. We operate in a dynamic ecosystem that destroys any 'set it and forget it' approach to strategy, policy, and process. We all feel comfortable seeing patients in the hierarchical vertical structure of the office where, presumably, everyone's role is clear. The focus there is on 'efficiency' and 'knowing'. When you enter the world of systems, the important relationships are less defined and horizontal. The focus there is on 'exploring' and 'learning'. My belief is the greatest opportunity to add value is on the system level. I recognize that not everyone agrees with that perspective, and yet I will defend it respectfully."

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 .