Say Hello to Ajay Bhatnagar, MD

May 1, 2023
Portrait of Leah Sanford in glasses, smiling against a gray background with a purple frame and award badge.

We are pleased and excited to introduce you to our monthly Member Spotlight for May, Ajay Bhatnagar, MD. Dr. Bhatnagar is a radiation oncologist and the founder of the Prostate Cancer Institute of Arizona. Additionally, Dr. Bhatnagar serves as a Rural Director on ArMA's board. 

In his interview with our Member Spotlight, Dr. Bhatnagar shares up-close and personal insight into starting a practice from scratch, a story highlighted on AZ News 7. Through trials and tribulations, the theme of "never giving up" umbrellas an inspiring account of pursuing avenues that lead to physician fulfillment and quality patient care. Learn all about Dr. Bhatnagar's journey with medicine below!

What has been the biggest change in your career?


The biggest change in my career was last year when I left the cancer center in Casa Grande, AZ, where I have been since 2007, to start my own practice. Multiple reasons led to this decision, but I definitely was not planning on this significant change. However, I am so glad I had the courage and determination to start my own practice, which is not easy in the current health care environment where most doctors are employed, especially in my specialty. Though to start your own practice in this current period, you really need to research and figure out how to make it work. In my situation, I knew that I had be innovative and unique and find a niche where I at least have a chance to be successful. I also knew I had to figure out a way to have minimal capital investment, which is quite contrary in my area, where building cancer centers can cost tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. Fortunately, I had always been performing a procedure for prostate cancer called Low Dose Rate (LDR) brachytherapy (aka prostate seed implant) which basically has gone away due to the more lucrative (higher reimbursing) treatments available for localized prostate cancer. However, this treatment has a valid role in prostate cancer treatment; therefore, I decided to start a practice exclusively focusing on offering this treatment to men in the Phoenix metro region, which is the only practice in AZ of its kind. 

 

Can you explain how you got your practice started?


I know it can be daunting and overwhelming to do this as a physician, so I decided to hire a consulting company to help me start my practice which was another great decision that I am very glad that I made since no matter how smart you are- you cannot do everything yourself! So the consulting company helped me get started with all the details from start to finish, such as helping me choose the right EMR for my practice, helping me hire my employees, hire a marketing firm to get branding and a website. And then the most important part of starting a medical practice is getting credentialled with the insurance companies. While everything else took 6 months

 to get opened, the insurance credentialing still lingered and is still not completely done, but I am almost there, making it a year-long process. 

 

What would you tell other members who are considering starting their own practice? 


YOU CAN DO IT! Once you are fully committed and determined to make it happen, it will happen. You need to be patient, which can be challenging as physicians since we're engrained to be constantly busy, but it takes time to establish a practice, and nothing is on your timeline. And don't worry about the haters and doubters, as there will always be people wanting you to fail but do your best to ignore them and stay focused on your vision and the belief that you can do this! I strongly believe the dramatic increase in physician burnout is due to our lack of control, but it doesn't have to be that way. 

So, it's time we take back control and start running our own practices. I would welcome any ArMA member considering taking this bold step to contact me, as we need to support one another. ArMA's

Private Practice Physicians Section was created for this reason!

What inspires you?


I am inspired by helping people. Specifically, as a radiation oncologist, I strive to utilize my expertise and experience to achieve the best outcomes for my patients. 

 

What is one message you would give to your 18-year-old self?


Anything is possible as long as you're committed to making it happen. Nothing is impossible.

Why is ArMA important to you?


ArMA is important to me for multiple reasons, but I'll stick to these two. First, I am convinced that no other organization better represents me and my physician colleagues at the state level than ArMA. Second, ArMA (which includes the members and the staff) has been an excellent support group for me to help me with my career during the past decade, including this most recent decision to start my own practice. I am extremely appreciative of ArMA's support this past year during this career transition. 

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 .