ArMA Member Spotlight: Meet Dr. Thomas Varkey

August 7, 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, Thomas C. Varkey, MD, MBA, MEd! Dr. Varkey is a second-year post-grad at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix and an adjunct faculty member at Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University. Recently, Dr. Varkey was honored at ArMA’s Health Care Awards ceremony as the recipient of the Rising Star Award.

In his interview for the Member Spotlight, Dr. Varkey shares his inspirations, achievements, and current projects. With a remarkable amount of energy, Dr. Varkey is always striving to improve his craft and working diligently to understand each patient.


Learn more about Dr. Varkey’s journey with medicine below! 

What inspires you?


I’m often inspired by the work of my colleagues and their dedication. In the last few weeks, I have developed a deep appreciation for the nurses that diligently monitor the patients on the stroke floor that I rotate on. Seeing their keen eye for warning signs and quick action to ensure the safety of those under their care inspires me to be equally diligent.


What success in your career are you most proud of?


One of the greatest accomplishments of my career was hearing a thank you from an individual I did not recognize. One of the nurses at the hospital I work recognized me from my days as an adjunct instructor at Grand Canyon University, he told me that during my tenure as an on-ground instructor, I had shown him how much I cared and how this had changed the trajectory of his career. While this is not an award or prize that I can place on a CV, it showed that even tiny interactions can have an impact for years to come.

What's a project you're working on right now?


I'm currently working on a medical education paper focused on improvements in the fellowship program websites for Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine. I find that many programs around the country struggle with finding the best way to ensure that potential applicants can get the information they need. I think by providing a useful written article on the current deficits I will be able to better enable these programs to create useful websites.


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


If I was not pursuing the practice of medicine, I would be teaching at the Colangelo College of Business. I love working with students and I love teaching, therefore I would continue to teach at my alma mater and second home here in Phoenix, Grand Canyon University.

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

What would you like remembered about you?


In college, I had an instructor who asked this question in a different way and asked that we write our tombstones If I had a choice, I would want it to read, “Good man, Good father, Good Husband” – a title that if earned would be one that I would wear proudly. If I could be remembered for anything it would be for being good.

What do you like best about living in Arizona?
I love the hiking and the mostly nice weather (forget July, hahahaha). It's great to be able to go outside at any time and just go for a walk in the sunshine and air.

How would you describe your approach to patient care?


I approach each patient like they were my fiancé, I want to really figure out what the root cause is and fix it. I take the time to sit with them and try to really listen. It sometimes takes me a little longer to finish the encounter, but in the end, I know I did everything within my power to “get it right”.


What prompted you to become involved in organized medicine?


I was a part of the Texas Medical Association in medical school and wanted to be a part of an organization in Arizona to advocate for myself, my colleagues, and our patients at a state level. A doctor can only be as useful as their impact on the ways that we allow our craft to be honed. I wanted to make a difference for the benefit of my friends and family. 

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 .