Say Hello to Carleen Cuevas

December 5, 2022
Portrait of Leah Sanford in glasses, smiling against a gray background with a purple frame and award badge.

Meet Carleen Cuevas, the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) Member Spotlight for December. Carleen is a third-year medical student studying at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, having received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Arizona State University. In addition to her studies, Carleen serves as the Chair of ArMA's Medical Student Section.

 

When asked what she would tell her 18-year-old self, Carleen writes, “I’d tell myself that the timelines and definitions of the right way to go about life are not reality. It’s okay, and even beneficial sometimes, to take the path less traveled.” The dedication of ArMA's medical student members is unmatched, a fact greatly exemplified by Carleen’s journey with medicine, which you can read below! 👇

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?


In my spare time, I enjoy being with my husband and 3 children on game nights, movie nights, or even camping and traveling. I also like to lift weights, run, crochet, and read good books. 


What place would you most like to visit?


I’ve always dreamed of seeing Antarctica but would not look forward to the ocean voyage there, especially through the Drake Passage. I do not have a strong stomach.


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


At 18, I was preparing to be a mom to my firstborn and was completely unsure about where my life would go. My confidence and self-esteem were very low, and I felt like I didn’t know who I was anymore. Looking back now, I would tell myself that while unexpected and nontraditional, this journey would teach me more about myself, life, and connecting with others and be just as applicable and important as anything I’d ever learn in a classroom. I’d tell myself that the timelines and definitions of the “right way” to go about life are not reality. It’s okay, and even beneficial sometimes, to take the path less traveled. 


What does a typical day in your life look like? 


A typical day in my life starts around 4 to 5AM so I can get a workout and some studying done before heading to the hospital or clinic I’m assigned to that day. I typically have a long commute since I don’t live close to downtown, so I enjoy listening to audiobooks or sometimes lectures to sneak in more studying while I drive. Then I’ll spend my day seeing patients, learning about their diseases and clinical care, or participating in didactics/simulations. Depending on the rotation, I will head home at some point in the afternoon or sometimes late evening. Once home, I may need an hour to finish studying or other tasks for the day before shutting everything down and spending time with my family. Not every day goes that smoothly, but I try to have at least some dedicated time for myself in the mornings and for my family in the evenings. 


What prompted you to become involved in organized medicine?


I changed my major to sociology after discovering how much it explained society and human behavior. I realized there is so much more that affects a person’s health than can be addressed in an exam room or operating room. I feel strongly that knowing medical education provides a unique and important perspective that should be heard in policy discussions. However, I was also aware that one individual alone could not do everything. I see organized medicine as an opportunity to have a greater impact on patient health than I could on my own.

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 .