Who's News in Arizona Healthcare

Watch this page for recent headlines on Arizona healthcare newsmakers.

Who's the new hospital CEO in town?

Which doctor was profiled for in the latest "race for the cure"?

Which nurses recently took home national honors as patient favorites?

Who's moving up & who's moving on? Find out below. Or for more info, see our "Healthcare Who's Who" page.

Recent healthcare newsmakers

June 2009

James Puffenberger, Regional health chief announces retirement. James Puffenberger announced Tuesday that he is ready to retire after five years of running Northern Arizona Healthcare.
Dr. James Reingold, Cardon physician first to earn certification. Dr. James Reingold, emergency physician with Cardon Children's Medical Center in Mesa, has passed the 2009 Pediatric Emergency Medicine Certifying Exam, making him the first physician at Cardon Children's to achieve this goal.
Dr. (Col.) William T. Humphrey, New commander takes over Fort Huachuca health center. In a traditional change-of-command ceremony the Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center and the post’s medical community got a new commander Thursday. With the handing off of the unit’s flag, Dr. (Col.) William T. Humphrey turned over the organization to Col. Carol A. Newman, who will be the second nurse to command the Medical Activity Department on the fort.
Susan Gerard, UpClose with Susan Gerard. Susan Gerard has spent the last 20 years molding and monitoring the state’s health care system. Her expertise has led to positions as the chair of the House and Senate health committees, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services and, most recently, as a member of the board of directors for the Maricopa County Special Health District.
Dr. Julio Rodriguez-Lopez, Valley surgeon heads up test of aneurysm treatment. Dr. Julio Rodriguez-Lopez, a vascular surgeon at the Arizona Heart Institute, this week treated the first U.S. patient in a new clinical trial to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms. Rodriguez, the director of peripheral vascular services at the Arizona Heart Institute, has been named the national principal investigator for the Phase II study, which is required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to enroll 160 patients.
Kathleen Goeppinger, Low-profile leader uses vision, skill to help develop campus. Kathleen Goeppinger built a thriving medical school from scratch in Glendale, but she really doesn't like talking about herself. The president and chief executive of Midwestern University doesn't even have her biography on the school's Web site.
Dr. Ram Krishna, Yuma doctor elected to national health board. In a first for Arizona, a Yuma doctor has been elected to a national board that helps regulate the industry and keep the public safe. Dr. Ram Krishna, an orthopedic surgeon, was elected last month by 70 of his peers to the board of directors of the Federation of State Medical Boards. Krishna will be one of 12 board members and hold the post for three years.

May 2009

Leland Peterson and Pamela Myerhoffer, Top Sun Health execs announce retirements. Two Sun Health executives with a combined 63 years of experience are retiring after leading the hospital network's growth over a span of four decades. Leland Peterson, president and chief executive officer of Sun Health Services, has announced plans to retire in August after 37 years of service. Pamela Meyerhoffer, who has served as president and chief executive officer of the Sun Health Foundation since January 1983, also has decided to retire.
Brian Bickel, Family helps draw new SAMC CEO to Douglas. It helps to have strong relationships, especially family relationships. That family relationship attracted new Southeast Arizona Medical Center CEO Brian Bickel to Douglas.

April 2009

Judy Rich, TMC erases interim label, names Rich CEO. After nearly two years with no permanent leader, Tucson Medical Center has a new president and chief executive officer. Judy Rich, who has been the interim leader in charge of TMC HealthCare since July 2007 as its executive vice president and hospital administrator, is now permanently leading the non-profit. Louise Francesconi, chair of the TMC HealthCare Board of Trustees, made the announcement Monday.

March 2009

Dr. Margarita Hernandez Guzman, Naturopathic doctor embraces 'whole person'. Dr. Margarita Hernandez Guzman likens a naturopathic doctor to being a private health investigator. Hernandez Guzman says doctors in naturopathic medicine don't just stop at addressing symptoms, but also see them as clues pointing to the cause behind the real problem. The Yuma doctor stressed that she believes mainstream medicine only scratches the surface.

See previous 2009 Arizona healthcare newsmakers or find older stories in the 2008 Arizona Health Newsmakers Archive.