ArMA Welcomes 134th President Dr. Jason Jameson and Newly-elected Board Members

July 14, 2025

Alongside other elected leaders, our newest president will address some of the largest issues facing physicians and their patients, including health insurers’ red tape, Medicare physician payments, and healthcare equity.

PHOENIX, Arizona — The Arizona Medical Association is pleased to announce Jason Jameson, MD, as the organization's esteemed 134th president. Under his leadership, and alongside newly-elected board members, ArMA will continue to champion patient care and strengthen healthcare for all of Arizona.


Dr. Jameson is a dedicated healthcare advocate and the first urologist to lead the association. He has practiced medicine in Arizona since 2005 across clinical settings, including private practice, academic medicine, and government healthcare systems. He previously held leadership positions at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Arizona. Most recently, he transitioned to part-time consulting work and holds academic appointments at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science as well as the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix.


“We are at a critical point in time for healthcare,” Dr. Jameson stated. “From Medicaid funding to health insurers’ burdensome red tape, physicians and patients are up against many challenges and barriers. I’m honored to lead ArMA, the largest physician organization in Arizona, fighting for our patients to receive the high-quality care they deserve and also for physicians to practice medicine as they so choose, free from administrative burdens.”


Dr. Jameson’s presidency follows nearly two decades of active involvement within the association, including multiple terms on ArMA’s Board of Directors and key member committees. In 2025, he played a central role in advancing legislation to expand care team flexibility by allowing medical assistants to place urinary catheters, which was signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs earlier this year.


“Dr. Jameson is stepping up to lead Arizona’s House of Medicine at a pivotal and challenging time for physicians and patients. I have every confidence that he will leverage his thoughtful, visionary, and passionate leadership to shepherd in a brighter future for healthcare in Arizona,” said ArMA's outgoing president, Nadeem Kazi, MD, AGAF.


In addition to Dr. Jameson, the following individuals have been elected to ArMA's Board of Directors and began their terms on July 1, 2025:


  • James Nachbar, MD — President-elect
  • Plastic Surgeon — Scottsdale Plastic Surgery, LLC, Scottsdale
  • Ajay Bhatnagar, MD — Maricopa County Director
  • Radiation Oncologist — Prostate Cancer Institute of Arizona, Chandler
  • Ricardo Correa, MD — Executive Committee At-Large Director
  • Endocrinologist — Phoenix Allies for Community Health, Phoenix
  • Rachel Dunn, MD — Medical Resident Director
  • Family Medicine — University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix
  • Anna Leah Eisner — Medical Student Director
  • 3rd Year Medical Student — University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix
  • Sami Hashmi, MD — Early Career Director
  • Cardiology — HonorHealth, Phoenix
  • Sarah Lee-Davisson, MD — Pima County Director
  • General Surgery — Tucson Medical Center, Tucson
  • A. Chisom Okuagu, DO — Medical Resident Director
  • Family Medicine — University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix
  • Sarah Patel, MD — Treasurer
  • Sleep Medicine — Sonoran Sleep Center, Glendale
  • Vishal Verma, MD — Maricopa County Director
  • Internal Medicine — Abrazo Health, Glendale


The new board members join a dynamic group of leaders dedicated to advancing the organization’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 and patient communities.


“We are honored to welcome these accomplished, driven individuals to our board — each of whom brings an extraordinary level of experience, insight, and above all, a selfless commitment to the betterment of healthcare in Arizona," stated ArMA CEO Douglas Laher, MBA, CAE, CMP. “Their dedication to the physician community and to the patients we serve will strengthen ArMA’s ability to lead with integrity, advocate with purpose, and drive meaningful change across our state.”


In addition to welcoming new members, ArMA extends its heartfelt gratitude to its outgoing board members for their service and leadership, including: 133rd President William Thompson IV, MD; Rural Director Bahrat Magu, MD; Executive Committee At-Large Director Timothy Graham, MD; Arizona Medical Political Action Committee Chair Gary Figge, MD; Pima County Director Christopher Bailey, MD; Medical Student Director Jennifer Codd; Medical Resident Director Viktorya Tannenbaum; and Medical Resident Director Thomas Varkey, MD.

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 .