David Baltazar, DPT, DO, FAAD

TThe Rising Star Award recognizes a medical student, resident, fellow, or early-career physician who demonstrates exceptional enthusiasm and leadership in organized medicine. This year’s recipient is Dr. David Baltazar, a passionate physician advocate already making a significant impact on Arizona's healthcare landscape.

Dr. Baltazar is an early career physician and dermatologist who has demonstrated impressive leadership since being appointed to ArMA’s Resident & Fellow Section Governing Council in 2020, where he later served as chairperson. He now sits on ArMA's Board of Directors, its American Medical Association Delegation, and several key committees, including the Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee. He also serves as a physician liaison for ArMA’s Resident & Fellow Section, where he serves as a mentor to physicians-in-training.

In these influential roles, he has been a tireless advocate for physician-led, patient-focused care, working to ensure that physicians remain at the forefront of healthcare decision-making in Arizona. His advocacy goes beyond simply representing his colleagues. His actions align with his words as acts as a major champion for ArMA’s advocacy efforts, including healthcare policies to stabilize and increase physician reimbursement and ensure the sustainability of medical practices.

His advocacy directly impacts the strength of Arizona’s medical community and amplifies the physician voice on public health policy and healthcare legislation.