Our Leadership & Staff
Physician-led. Patient-focused.
The Arizona Medical Association is led by volunteer physicians, fellows, residents, and medical students. Our leaders dedicate their time, talent, and efforts to empower the pursuit of our mission.
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
James Nachbar, MD | 135th President
James Nachbar, MD, is a plastic surgeon based in Scottsdale. After opening an independent practice in 1995, Dr. Nachbar joined the association and has been actively involved ever since, including multiple terms on ArMA’s Board of Directors and decades of physician advocacy at the Arizona State Capitol. Dually trained as a physician and lawyer — and with a background in computer coding — his unique expertise makes him a strong leader suited to solve difficult, complex problems.
Dr. Nachbar earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine. He went on to complete a surgical residency at the University of Arizona and a plastic surgery residency at the University of Virginia. Following his training, he became faculty at the University of New Mexico, where he also served as residency program director in plastic surgery. In 2018, he earned a law degree and was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona. He has owned and practiced at Scottsdale Plastic Surgery, LLC, in Scottsdale since 1995.
Heidi Tavel, MD
President-elect
Katherine Glaser, MD
Secretary
Sarah Patel, MD
Treasurer
Jason Jameson, MD
Immediate Past President
Laura Mercer, MD
At-large Executive
Committee Member
Ricardo Correa, MD
At-large Executive
Committee Member
Ronnie Dowling, MD
American Medical Association Delegation Chair
Sarah Lee-Davisson, MD
Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee Chair
Other Directors
Allan Anderson, MD
Pima Director
Ajay Bhatnagar, MD
Maricopa Director
Jasleen Chhatwal, MD
Pima Director
Sarah Coles, MD
Rural Director
Stephen Curtin, MD
At-large Director
Danielle Dircks, MD
Resident Director
Michael Dunn, MD
Maricopa Director
Rebekah Feinberg
Medical Student Director
Sami Hashmi, MD
Early Career Director
M. Zuhdi Jasser, MD
AMA Delegate
Jane Lyons, MD
Maricopa Director
Nadeem Kazi, MD
ArMA Foundation Chair
Tammy Penhollow, DO
At-large Director
Mustafa Suppah, MD
Fellow Director
Eyuel Terefe, MD
Rural Director
Curtis Triebswetter
Medical Student Director
Vishal Verma, DO
Maricopa Director
Meet Our Staff Members
The Arizona Medical Association's award-winning staff are experts in association management, physician advocacy, and more. They are here to serve the physician community's needs and carry out the strategic initiatives determined by ArMA's leadership.
Committee, Board & Other Chairs
Access, Community & Inclusion Task Force
Committee Chair: Ricardo Correa, MD
ArMA's Access, Community & Inclusion Taskforce is focused on fostering the equitable practice of medicine, championing health care for all patients, and strengthening the diverse communities we serve. Through a variety of internal and external initiatives, the group's mission is to build a future where every physician is represented, every aspiring physician is encouraged, and every patient has access to care.
Accreditation & Medical Education Committee
Committee Chair: Shakaib Rehman, MD
The ArMA Committee on Accreditation and Medical Education, through recognition of the ACCME, serves as the official accreditation body for Arizona organizations to provide quality continuing medical education for physicians and various healthcare professionals. The primary goal of the Committee is to foster quality continuing medical education programs committed to physician competence and performance, and improved patient outcomes. This Committee is comprised of representatives from CME providers in Arizona as well as members of ArMA’s current leadership. This is a working Committee that requires active participation from all of its members. The Committee meets four times annually.
Questions? Contact Peggy Paulson.
ArMA-AMA Delegation
Delegation Chair: Ronnie Dowling, MD
ArMA's American Medical Association Delegation represents Arizona's physician community on the national stage of organized medicine by attending several conferences each year. The delegation provides Arizona's perspective on key healthcare issues, including reimbursement, private practice viability, and more.
Questions? Contact Doug Laher.
ArMA Foundation Board of Directors
Board Chair: Nadeem Kazi, MD
Members of the ArMA Foundation Board spearhead the association's philanthropic programs and initiatives, including efforts to support medical education, patient health, and physician well-being.
Questions? Contact Doug Laher.
ArMPAC Board of Directors
Board Chair: Gretchen Alexander, MD
The Arizona Medical Association Political Action Committee's (ArMPAC) Board of Directors provides financial support to candidates for statewide offices who have vowed to support physicians and the patients they serve.
Questions? Contact Amanda Sheinson.
Articles & Bylaws Committee
Committee Chair: Priya Radhakrishnan, MD
The ArMA Articles & Bylaws Committee is dedicated to keeping ArMA’s structure orderly and up-to-date. This Committee meets on an “as needed basis” in order to respond to ArMA’s evolving role and needs. Committee members should have a solid understanding of ArMA’s structure. All members of this committee will have been members of the association at least five years prior to their appointment.
Questions? Contact Doug Laher.
Finance Committee
Committee Chair: Sarah Patel, MD
The Committee on Finance meets annually to review ArMA’s budget for presentation at the Executive Committee and final approval at ArMA’s Board of Directors. The treasurer serves as the chair of the committee. The committee acts in an advisory capacity in budgetary and financial matters, and new committee members should have a financial background and a familiarity and interest in ArMA’s financial matters.
Questions? Contact Mechelle Moore.
Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee
Committee Chair: Sarah Lee-Davisson, MD
The ArMA Legislative Committee consists of approximately 25-30 members who are appointed to the committee by ArMA’s president. In general, the committee meets twice a year to review issues that are under consideration by state or federal agencies, licensing boards, the legislature, or Congress. The committee examines issues of concern to physicians, health care organizations and patients, and is responsible for establishing the positions that ArMA takes in negotiating or advocating on those particular issues. It is common for the Legislative Committee to review between 250 and 350 pieces of legislation each year, in addition to reviewing other rules and regulations affecting the field of medicine.
Questions? Contact Amanda Sheinson.
Membership Committee
Committee Chair: Corinna Saldanha, DO
The Membership Committee is charged with promoting ArMA membership. Committee responsibilities focus on membership engagement, recruitment, and retention. The composition of the committee will reflect the diversity of ArMA membership in terms of geography, specialty, employment sector, gender, and career level. ArMA is looking for members who are enthusiastic to get involved, eager to make a difference and passionate about the work that ArMA does.
Questions? Contact Doug Laher.
Public Health Committee
Committee Chair: Pamela Murphy, MD
The ArMA Public Health Committee consists of physicians and public health professionals. This committee discusses medical issues related to public health in our state. Recent discussion topics have included disaster preparedness, influenza, and reporting communicable diseases, among others. The committee is intended to be the arena in which ArMA’s public health professionals have the opportunity to champion issues that need attention and evoke positive changes for Arizona’s citizens.
Questions? Contact Amanda Sheinson.
