ArMA Member Spotlight: Heidi Tavel, MD!

November 27, 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, Heidi Tavel, MD, FASA! Dr. Tavel is a faculty anesthesiologist at the Banner – University Medical Center in Tucson and has been an ArMA member for nearly a decade. This year, Dr. Tavel became the chair of ArMA's Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee. Her leadership and guidance in this role are vital to ArMA's advocacy efforts at the Arizona State Capitol and beyond.

In her interview for our Member Spotlight, Dr. Tavel shares details about her approach to patient care and what inspires her to learn, change, and grow. 


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

What inspires you?


My kids inspire me. I want to help create a world with a bright future and a sustainable environment for them and the generations to come after them.


What are your recent show recommendations?


If you haven’t watched Netflix’s new “Life on Our Planet”, check it out. This is a fabulous 8-part series that follows the origin of life on Earth to the present day. It’s a really great series and you can learn a lot about natural history.


What has been the biggest change in your career?


Change can be hard, but change can open amazing new windows you didn’t know were possible. Change brings new opportunities for growth.

How has a book changed your perspective on life?


I have recently become interested in paleontology and reading all kinds of books and articles from this field. Learning about the history of our planet and life on this planet gives a helpful perspective on humans’ short time on Earth, and the climate change we are going through currently.



How would you describe your approach to patient care?


One patient at a time. Take care of each and every patient with thoughtful decision-making to help them have the best, safest, and most enjoyable experience possible.


Why is ArMA important to you and your colleagues?


ArMA is an advocate for Arizona physicians and the Arizona patients we serve. ArMA membership, participation, and leadership help us all to take better and safer care of our communities.

Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital Launches Largest Expansion in Its History

By Admin User • August 7, 2026
Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital Launches Largest Expansion in Its History Investment Expands Inpatient and Procedural Capacity to Meet Rising Demand for Cardiovascular Care The Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix announced last week that it is undertaking the largest expansion in its history. The new construction will add inpatient and procedural capacity to serve more Arizonans in need of heart and vascular care. Meeting Arizona's Growing Demand for Heart Care Abrazo explained that the expansion is necessary to support Arizona's continued population growth, which is driving increased demand for cardiovascular services. The added capacity will allow the hospital to not only treat more patients requiring cardiac, vascular, and critical care, but also continue its participation in clinical research and innovation.  Part of a Multi-Year Investment Strategy In its press release, Abrazo describes the expansion as the latest phase of ongoing, multi-year investments intended to advance care and meet the evolving healthcare needs of communities across the state. The hospital did not report an anticipated completion date for the project. Source: Abrazo Health

Arizona Erases $1 Billion in Medical Debt for Nearly 671,000 Residents

By Admin User • August 7, 2026
Hobbs Highlights Milestone in Ongoing Partnership With Undue Medical Debt Gov. Katie Hobbs announced this week that more than $1 billion in medical debt has been erased for nearly 671,000 Arizonans, marking a significant milestone in the state's ongoing partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. How the Program Works The initiative, first launched in 2024, purchases qualifying medical debt from hospitals and collection agencies for a fraction of its value before eliminating the debt entirely for eligible patients. Who Qualifies According to the governor's office, recipients do not need to apply for the program. It is available to Arizona residents who: Receive low- and moderate-income Have medical debt that represents a substantial share of their annual income A Flashpoint in the 2026 Election Season Healthcare affordability has been at the forefront of Arizona's political conversation as the 2026 election season intensifies. Supporters argue that relieving burdensome medical debt can improve: Families' financial stability Creditworthiness Willingness to seek needed healthcare Critics of similar programs have generally questioned whether debt forgiveness addresses the underlying drivers of rising healthcare costs or simply treats the financial consequences after care has been delivered. As debates continue over healthcare affordability and access, Arizona's medical debt relief initiative is expected to remain a prominent example in broader discussions about how states can help patients facing significant medical expenses.