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