The Arizona Center for Rural Health is honored to partner with the Western Region Public Health Training Center (WRPHTC) to offer continuing education units for this year’s conference. The WRPHTC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Day 1: Tuesday, June 2
7:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast
Daniel Derksen, MD, Walter H. Pearce Endowed Chair & Director, Arizona Center for Rural Health, Professor of Public Health, Medicine & Nursing
University of Arizona Health Sciences Associate Vice President for Health Equity, Outreach & Interprofessional Activities. He is a tenured Professor of Public Health in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health with joint appointments in the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing. His current service, education and research activities include informing legislative, regulatory and program policy to improve access to health care and health insurance coverage; narrowing health disparities; developing, implementing and evaluating interprofessional service-learning sites; and working to assure a well-trained and distributed health workforce to meet the health needs of all Arizonans.
Carlos R Gonzales, MD, FAAFP, Associate Professor Family and Community Medicine, Senior Director Indigenous Health Affairs, University of Arizona Health Sciences
Dr. Gonzales received his B.A. from Carleton College- Northfield, MN- 1977; M.D. from University of Arizona, College of Medicine- Tucson, AZ- 1981; a FM Residency at UNMH- Albuquerque, NM- 1984. Carlos is a sixth generation Tucsonan of Yaqui and Mexican descent. He participates in the Traditional Easter Ceremonies at the New Pascua Yaqui Pueblo. Also leads Yaqui-Inipi Way Sweat Lodge Ceremonies.
Marcus Johnson, Deputy Director, Community Engagement & Regulatory Affairs, AHCCCS
As Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Regulatory Affairs at AHCCCS, Marcus Johnson oversees teams responsible for federal and tribal relations, state legislation, communications, strategic planning, and program integrity. He comes to AHCCCS by way of health philanthropy, public health, and health care. Prior to AHCCCS, Marcus served as Director of State Health Policy and Advocacy for Vitalyst Health Foundation, where he oversaw the organization’s public policy agenda and strategies to support integration of the physical, mental, and social determinants of health. He has contributed to numerous policy changes across Arizona and is committed to advancing systems that are designed to improve community health. Marcus earned his Master’s degree in Public Health and a B.S. in Physiology from the University of Arizona. Outside of work, Marcus enjoys exploring Arizona with his family, trying to keep pace with two small children, and remaining a stubbornly optimistic fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
Josue Macias, Executive Consultant, H.R.1 Implementation, AHCCCS
Humphreys: Strengthening the Rural Health Workforce Pipeline
Building the Bridge: Developing A Community-Responsive Implementation Model for Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Arizona Critical Access Hospitals
Arizona's rural communities are facing a worsening substance use disorder (SUD) and overdose crisis. Overdose mortality has declined nationally, but the Arizona’s rates have actually increased, exacerbated by urban-rural disparities in treatment. Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) are the main—and sometimes only—healthcare access point for hundreds of thousands of rural Arizonans. However, most CAH facilities lack the resources to consistently provide evidence-based SUD. "Bridge to Treatment" is a promising model that has transformed SUD care in the rural communities of neighboring states by increasing staff training, MOUD prescribing, naloxone distribution, treatment engagement, and placement of peer navigators. However, no such program has been implemented in Arizona’s rural hospitals.
We will adapt a three-component “Bridge to Treatment” model for Arizona’s CAHs, integrating (1) technical assistance and education; (2) Peer Recovery Support Specialists; and (3) a telehealth Addiction Medicine consultation service through the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center. A pilot will be conducted at Benson Hospital in Cochise County, in partnership with Cochise Harm Reduction, a peer-led community organization. We are designing this program from the ground up, in collaboration with rural partners, beginning with a formative interviews to assess need, fit, and feasibility.
Phillip Summers, Assistant Professor, University of Arizona, Department of Emergency Medicine
Phillip Summers is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Arizona. He is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine. His clinical work, teaching and research focus on the intersections of emergency and addiction medicine. He seeks to reduce harm, uplift dignity, overcome structural barriers and improve quality of care for people who use drugs or experience other forms of marginalization.
Bryna Koch, Assistant Research Professor, University of Arizona, College of Public Health
Bryna Koch is an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Arizona, Zuckerman College of Public Health, Department of Public Health Practice, Policy, and Translational Research. Dr. Koch has 18 years of experience in public health policy analysis, research, and evaluation. Dr. Koch’s work at the Arizona Center for Rural Health (AzCRH) began in 2016 and focuses on analysis of rural public health and healthcare systems, including health workforce analysis to inform public health and health care organizations.
Doyle/Rees: Advancing Priority Health Initiatives in Rural Communities
Cross-Sector Solutions for Perinatal Behavioral Health in Rural Arizona: A Multi-Agency Panel from a Medicaid Pilot
This session features a multi-sector panel from the AHCCCS Pregnant and Parenting Women (PPW) Pilot, a Medicaid-supported initiative in rural northern Arizona designed to improve access to perinatal behavioral health services. Pregnant and parenting women in rural and tribal communities face significant barriers, including workforce shortages, transportation challenges, housing instability, and gaps in Medicaid coverage, often resulting in fragmented, crisis-driven care.
Panelists representing medical care, behavioral health, county public health, the justice system, housing services, and Indigenous-serving organizations will share how they collaboratively implemented a coordinated entry and navigation model to connect women to behavioral health, medical, and social supports. The discussion will highlight practical strategies for cross-sector collaboration, culturally responsive care, telehealth implementation, and addressing system-level barriers in a resource-constrained rural setting.
Through facilitated discussion and audience engagement, participants will gain actionable insights and replicable approaches to improving care coordination and continuity for pregnant and postpartum women. This session offers a solution-oriented framework for rural communities seeking to strengthen perinatal behavioral health systems and improve maternal health outcomes.
Matt Martin, PhD, LMFT, CSSBB, Clinical and Research Associate Professor, Arizona State University
Matt Martin is a Clinical and Research Associate Professor in the College of Health Solutions and Associate Director of the Safety Net Advancement Center (SNAC) at Arizona State University. His work focuses on advancing healthcare equity and quality through applied research, practice transformation, and workforce development. Dr. Martin has extensive experience partnering with healthcare organizations across Arizona to evaluate and improve clinical processes. His projects have been supported by federal and state agencies as well as private foundations.
Dr. Stephanie Babbitt, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer, The Guidance Center
Stephanie Babbitt, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer at The Guidance Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, since 2022. She joined the organization in 2020 as a psychologist, providing mental health care before advancing to leadership. Dr. Babbitt earned her PhD and Master’s from Idaho State University and completed her APA-accredited internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Utah. She previously practiced in Salt Lake City, specializing in integrated care and evidence-based treatments. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University, reinforcing her connection to the region.
Nina Hanenson Russin, DBH, Postdoctoral Scholar, Safety Net Advancement Center, Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions
Dr. Russin received her Doctor of Behavioral Health degree from Arizona State University in 2024, and is currently a postdoctoral scholar with the Safety Net Advancement Center at the ASU College of Health Solutions. Her research focuses on biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying chronic pain development and persistence, and behavioral strategies for self-management of chronic pain. Prior to pursuing her doctoral degree, Dr. Russin spent 30 years as a nationally recognized journalist, including 10 years as a weekly columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Abineau/Fremont: Building Resilient and Accessible Rural Health Systems
Leveraging AI and Digital Health to Increase Access to Urgent Health Communication in Rural Communities
PHapp is a free, privacy-first public health communication platform designed to improve timely, equitable dissemination of urgent health information in resource-limited rural communities. Existing emergency communication systems are often fragmented, one-directional, and inaccessible to populations with limited English proficiency or inconsistent access to smartphones—challenges that are amplified in Arizona’s rural and climate-vulnerable regions.
PHapp addresses these gaps through a unified, multilingual alerting system that integrates verified information from public agencies into a single, location-based feed delivered via SMS, email, web, and mobile applications. Alerts include clear, actionable guidance and links to local resources such as cooling centers and clinics. The platform also incorporates human-supervised AI translation into more than 50 languages and enables two-way community reporting to enhance real-time situational awareness.
A pilot deployment in Southern Arizona, conducted with public health agencies, community organizations, and academic partners, evaluates PHapp’s impact on reach, engagement, and response behaviors. By reducing informational fragmentation and expanding access across languages and delivery modes, PHapp offers a scalable model for maximizing limited communication resources and improving health outcomes in rural communities facing climate-driven health risks
Sameer Halai, CEO for We Health Public Benefit Corporation and Adjunct Faculty University of Arizona College of Public Health
University of Arizona adjunct faculty member Sameer Halai is Founder and CEO of WeHealth PBC, a public benefit corporation focused on strengthening community resilience and public health preparedness through technology innovation. With a background spanning public health, social computing, and human-centered design, he has led the development of digital tools that support risk communication, preparedness, and community engagement. He is the creator of PHApp, a public health communication platform designed to help health agencies deliver timely, trusted, and actionable information to communities. His work emphasizes privacy-preserving technologies, AI-enabled communication, and scalable public health infrastructure.
Kacey C. Ernst, PhD, MPH, Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics University of Arizona, College of Public Health
Kacey C. Ernst is Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Arizona. Her work focuses on infectious disease epidemiology, climate, weather and health, vector-borne diseases, and community-engaged public health research in the U.S. and globally. She has experience in applied public health, including prior service with the Arizona Department of Health Services. Dr. Ernst collaborates with WeHealth on the development and evaluation of PHApp, a digital public health communication platform designed to support trusted, scalable, and community-centered health messaging and preparedness efforts. She is mPI on the Southwest Center on Resilience for Climate and Health (SCORCH).
Mona Arora, PhD, MsPH, Director, Community Engagement Core, Southwest Center On Resilience for Climate Change and Health Assistant Research Professor, Environmental Health Science, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona
Mona Arora is an Assistant Research Professor in the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and a leader in public health preparedness, climate resilience, and rural health equity. She led the ADHS-CDC COVID Health Disparities Initiative through the Arizona Center for Rural Health, advancing partnerships and community-based strategies to address health inequities in underserved and rural populations. Her work focuses on strengthening public health systems to respond to complex challenges including pandemics, disasters, and extreme weather including addressing extreme heat exposure in rural communities. Dr. Arora has extensive experience in emergency preparedness, workforce development, climate, weather and health, and community-engaged public health practice. She is mPI on the Southwest Center on Resilience for Climate and Health (SCORCH).
Please visit with our Exhibitors:
Platinum:
Gold:
Silver:
Arizona Area Health Education Centers
Arizona State Public Health Laboratory
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice
Health System Alliance of Arizona
Copper:
Arizona Center for Telemedicine and Digital Health
Arizona Psychiatry Access Lines
Arizona Department Of Health Services
Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies
Solari Crisis & Human Services
Western Region Public Health Training Center
Bronze:
Fibromyalgia National Health Organization
Humphreys: Strengthening the Rural Health Workforce Pipeline
OB Skill Development for Non-birthing Critical Access Hospitals and EMS agencies
Erin McMahon EdD, CNM, FACNM, Associate Clinical Professor, College of Public Health, University of Arizona
Dr. Erin McMahon has been a certified nurse-midwife for 26 years. She is the Founding Program Director for the DNP Nurse-Midwifery Specialty at the University of Arizona College of Nursing and the Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery at the University of Arizona College of Public Health. She has been teaching in the classroom for over 14 years and precepting midwifery students and resident physicians for over 20 years. Dr. McMahon is an American College of Nurse-Midwives Fellow and past member of the American Midwifery Certification Board. She has served on national committees for the revision of the ACNM Core Competencies of Basic Midwifery Practice. Dr. McMahon is a volunteer member of the Arizona Board of Nursing Scope of Practice Committee and was recently invited to serve on the Arizona Governor’s Rural Maternal Mental Health Advisory Committee.
Jill Bullock, Associate Director, Arizona Center for Rural Health
Ms. Bullock has over 30 years of experience working in health services in a variety of organizational settings from hospitals to community organizations. Ms. Bullock has worked with the Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (AzFlex) since 2011 and as the Flex Coordinator since 2014. As The Associate Director for the Center for Rural Health program Ms. Bullock is responsible for managing program resources to fulfill the program mission in accordance with priorities, time and budget requirements.
Doyle/Rees: Advancing Priority Health Initiatives in Rural Communities
Strengthening Agricultural Mental Health Capacity in Rural Arizona Through Outreach and Culturally Responsive Care
Farmers and ranchers experience elevated stress and suicide from the demands of agricultural work coupled with rural life. Economic uncertainty, changing weather, long work hours, and geographic isolation create chronic stress that directly impacts mental health. These challenges are compounded by social stigma, limited access to behavioral health services in rural communities, and a shortage of providers trained to deliver culturally responsive care that reflects agricultural values and lived experience.
This session highlights a statewide farm stress initiative led through Arizona Cooperative Extension that integrates agricultural producer mental health outreach with rural healthcare workforce development. Funded by the Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership (WRASAP), this work reflects how land-grant institutions and partners are expanding agricultural mental health capacity across the western United States.
Participants will learn about AgriSafe’s FarmResponse training, developed by the AgriSafe Network, a WRASAP partner. Using the Total Farmer Health Model, FarmResponse equips rural healthcare providers to recognize agricultural stress and engage producers using culturally responsive and evidence-based approaches. In 2025, the Arizona Farm Bureau funded FarmResponse scholarships for rural crisis response units across the state, demonstrating statewide commitment. Building on this momentum, UA Extension WRASAP funding will support 20 FarmResponse scholarships for conference participants.
Gayle Gratop, Assistant Agent- Family, Consumer, and Health Sciences, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Coconino County
Gayle Gratop, HTR, is a registered horticultural therapist and the Family, Consumer, and Health Sciences Extension Agent for the University of Arizona Coconino Cooperative Extension. Her educational background includes degrees in environmental studies, horticulture, and agricultural education. Her Extension programs focus on supporting agricultural producer mental health, horticultural therapy, school gardens, and nutrition education. Additionally, she is a doctoral student in the Interdisciplinary Health program at NAU where her dissertation research investigates stressors, coping, and mental health needs for female agricultural producers in Arizona. Gayle also serves as the Arizona representative for the Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Network.
Abineau/Fremont: Building Resilient and Accessible Rural Health Systems
Maximizing Rural Health Revenue and Care Delivery through Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) has emerged as a vital tool for rural health providers to enhance clinical outcomes while establishing sustainable new revenue streams. By leveraging updated 2026 reimbursement codes, practices can now deploy a team-based care model—utilizing community outreach workers, medical assistants, and pharmacists—to deliver high-touch monitoring under provider supervision. This session provides a deep dive into the specific CPT codes, documentation requirements, and time-tracking elements essential for compliance. Attendees will explore successful implementation strategies that prioritize patient-friendly technology and streamlined clinical workflows, ensuring a seamless setup and long-term engagement with minimal technical burden.
Donna Zazworsky, Maximizing Rural Health Revenue and Care Delivery through Remote Patient Monitoring, Life365
12:00pm-12:15pm: Address from Regional Director Tawney
Erin Tawney, Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Erin Tawney is a dedicated healthcare management and government relations leader with over 30 years of experience driving market development, strategic partnerships, and innovation within healthcare systems. As the newly appointed Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—Dallas Region, she represents HHS Secretary Kennedy throughout the region. She leads federal engagement across Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 90 federally-recognized tribes. She champions initiatives to enhance health care delivery, human services programs, and public health.
Before joining HHS, Tawney led business development at Fresenius Medical Care North America as Vice President of Market Development. In this role, she spearheaded growth initiatives for outpatient cardiovascular and renal laboratories by collaborating closely with physician investors, payors, and health systems to deploy patient-centric service models.
Tawney has also held business development roles at Abbott, Pfizer, and senior leadership roles at a regional nuclear pharmacy, as well as healthcare consulting. In these capacities, she led go-to-market strategies for advanced diagnostics and medical technology. Her proactive leadership consistently translated into operational initiatives that enhanced patient outcomes and healthcare delivery efficiency.
Tawney earned a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Arizona and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership and Ethics from Claremont Lincoln University. Personally, she is very passionate about root cause and precision medicine. She also has certifications in nutrition and genomics. Tawney is married with three adult children. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, playing pickleball, watching sports and finding new, healthy farm-to-table restaurants.
In her federal role as Regional Director, she applies this rich blend of healthcare business acumen and government relations skill to forge impactful alliances between federal, state, tribal, and local partners—expanding access, improving care infrastructure, and driving policy innovation across the southcentral states to improve the health of citizens.
12:15pm-12:45pm: Arizona Rural Health Association Awards
The Arizona Rural Health Association’s annual awards recognize outstanding leadership, service, and innovation that advance the health and well-being of rural and frontier communities across the state. These awards honor individuals and programs that have made meaningful contributions through policy, partnership, and practice, highlighting excellence in legislative leadership, community impact, and rural health system development.
Lupe Campos, President, Arizona Rural Health Association (AzRHA)
Lupe Campos is the President of the Arizona Rural Health Association (AzRHA). She joined the Board of Directors in 2023 and was elected President in 2025. In her role, Lupe supports statewide advocacy efforts to advance rural health priorities and strengthen policies that improve access to quality healthcare and health outcomes for rural communities across Arizona.
Lupe is dedicated to promoting health equity for underserved groups, including low income, rural, veteran, and tribal communities. She currently serves as the Community Outreach Manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice, where she drives community engagement and addresses the social drivers of health services. With over 25 years of experience, Lupe possesses extensive expertise in public programs. Her background includes working with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), where she helped members and community partners navigate complex health systems. She is passionate about and committed to making impactful and sustainable improvements in the communities she serves.
Carrie Foote, AzRHA President-Elect & Foote Forward Health Strategies, Healthcare Strategy Consultant
Carrie Foote serves as the President-Elect of the Arizona Rural Health Association. She joined the Board of Directors in January 2024 as Secretary and was elected to her current role in July 2025. In her work with AzRHA, Carrie supports statewide efforts to strengthen partnerships, education, and policy initiatives that improve the health of Arizona’s rural communities. She focuses on advancing practical, sustainable solutions that help rural communities thrive.
Carrie is a healthcare strategy consultant with more than a decade of experience designing and optimizing telehealth programs. She strengthens telehealth access in rural communities and supports organizations in launching and expanding telehealth service lines through comprehensive program planning, design, and implementation. Carrie partners with health systems, clinics, clinicians, and public agencies across the country to build effective and resilient virtual care strategies. She is the co-founder and principal consultant of Foote Forward Health Strategies.
Take advantage of the opportunity to connect with attendees and exhibitors:
Platinum:
Gold:
Silver:
Arizona Area Health Education Centers
Arizona State Public Health Laboratory
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice
Health System Alliance of Arizona
Copper:
Arizona Center for Telemedicine and Digital Health
Arizona Psychiatry Access Lines
Arizona Department Of Health Services
Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies
Solari Crisis & Human Services
Western Region Public Health Training Center
Bronze:
Fibromyalgia National Health Organization
Humphreys: Strengthening the Rural Health Workforce Pipeline
Training in Place: Building a Consortium-Based GME Model to Strengthen Rural Primary Care Workforce in Arizona
Rural and underserved communities across Arizona face persistent primary care workforce shortages, with only 35.4% of need currently met. Because physicians are more likely to practice near where they complete residency training, expanding graduate medical education (GME) in rural and community-based settings is a critical strategy for improving long-term workforce distribution.
This panel will present the development and early implementation of a consortium-based Sponsoring Institution (SI) model designed to expand primary care residency training in rural and medically underserved areas. The model serves as an alternative to traditional hospital-based GME by centering Federally Qualified Health Centers, Critical Access Hospitals, and other community-based partners as primary training sites.
Panelists will share practical insights on engaging rural partners, navigating an accelerated accreditation pathway, and addressing operational and funding challenges in resource-constrained settings. The session will also highlight how community health needs and social drivers of health are integrated into training design.
Attendees will gain actionable strategies for developing and sustaining rural GME programs, with an emphasis on partnership development, scalability, and strengthening local workforce pipelines to improve access to care in underserved communities.
C. Lauren Erdelyi, DrPH, PMP, PgMP
Program Manager, AzAHEC SI/GME Consortium
Arizona Area Health Education Centers (AzAHEC)
Dr. C. Lauren Erdelyi, DrPH, PMP, is Program Manager for the AzAHEC Sponsoring Institution / GME Consortium, where she leads development and operations to expand community-based graduate medical education across Arizona, with a focus on rural, tribal, and underserved communities. With nearly a decade of experience in public health and health systems, she specializes in building cross-sector partnerships, designing sustainable programs, and advancing workforce solutions that address health disparities. Dr. Erdelyi also serves as an instructor at the University of Arizona Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and contributes nationally through leadership with the American Public Health Association.
Kathleen (Katie) Brite Hillis, MD, Interim Vice Dean, Medical Education – Yuma Branch, Associate Dean, Community Engagement, Designated Institutional Official, AzAHEC PCC SI, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix
Dr. Kathleen (Katie) Brite Hillis, MD (she/her/hers), is Interim Vice Dean for Medical Education at the Yuma Branch and Associate Dean of Community Engagement at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. She also serves as Designated Institutional Official for the AzAHEC Sponsoring Institution Consortium. A family medicine physician and Associate Clinical Professor, she has led efforts to expand community-based medical education, including rural and Tribal training across Arizona. Her work focuses on building partnerships between academic medicine and communities to strengthen the health workforce and improve access to care statewide.
Doyle/Rees: Advancing Priority Health Initiatives in Rural Communities
Addressing Extreme Heat Risk in Rural Communities: Building a Roadmap for Resilience
Extreme heat poses a growing threat to community health and well-being, directly threatening lives and amplifying existing health disparities. As one of the leading weather-related threats in the United States, extreme heat accounts for thousands of deaths annually, with at-risk populations — including older adults, individuals with chronic conditions, outdoor workers, and those without access to cooling — facing the highest vulnerability. In Arizona, the frequency and duration of extreme heat events continue to rise, heightening the burden on public health systems, emergency response infrastructure, and essential community services. Rural areas are uniquely challenged by limited healthcare capacity, gaps in cooling resources, and communication barriers that can hinder timely heat response.
To better understand and address these public health preparedness challenges, the Southwest Center on Resilience for Climate Change and Health (SCORCH), in partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Arizona Center for Rural Health, and local organizations, convened five Rural Heat Listening Sessions across Arizona. These sessions engaged practitioners from over 64 organizations to examine local impacts of extreme heat and identify frontline preparedness strategies. Through these multidisciplinary conversations, participants provided firsthand perspectives on heat-related morbidity and mortality, emergency communication practices, resource needs, and programmatic gaps.
Key findings highlight that while rural health agencies are acutely aware of escalating heat risks, their response capacity is often limited by workforce shortages, resource constraints, and fragmented funding streams. Participants emphasized the urgency of strengthening interagency coordination, expanding cross-sector partnerships, and aligning preparedness efforts with local needs. Opportunities include developing early alert systems, enhancing public health messaging, increasing access to cooling centers, and integrating heat mitigation into hazard planning and recovery frameworks.
This session will present a framework that rural public health and healthcare organizations can use to enhance heat preparedness and response. Session attendees will have the opportunity to learn from each other and develop strategies to protect their communities during periods of extreme heat.
Mona Arora, PhD, MsPH, Director, Community Engagement Core, Southwest Center On Resilience for Climate Change and Health Assistant Research Professor, Environmental Health Science, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona
Dr. Mona Arora is an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Arizona, College of Public Health and Co-PI for the Southwest Center on Resilience for Climate and Health (SCORCH). She has over ten years of experience in disaster preparedness and resilience. Her research focuses building community resilience to global “wicked problems,” including pandemics, disasters, and climate. She works collaboratively across sectors and with community partners to understand current challenges in addressing heat risk and vulnerability. Her current projects include developing rural heat resilience across Arizona communities and understanding the impacts of medications on heat-related risks. She is passionate about integrating arts and parks to improve health outcomes and working with youth and community partners such as libraries to build community-centered solutions to society’s pressing challenges.
Jennifer Botsford, Bureau Chief, Resiliency and the Environment, Arizona Department of Health Services
Jennifer Botsford joined the Arizona Department of Health Services in 2005 after graduating with her Master’s of Science in Public Health from Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She managed the Environmental Toxicology Program for eight years. Jennifer served as the Program Director of the Arizona Biomedical Research Centre for 6 years, before returning in 2020 to the Office of Environmental Health as the Office Chief. She currently also serves on the Human Subjects Review Board at ADHS.
Maiya Block Ngaybe, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Adjunct Faculty, University of Arizona.
Maiya Block Ngaybe is a public health professional committed to advancing health equity through research, teaching, leadership, and community engagement. As a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Arizona College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture, she leads community-engaged projects at the intersection of health and the environment, including SCORCH rural health listening sessions on heat with rural and tribal populations. She also serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, where she teaches and mentors students in global health, WASH, and health promotion.
As a former NIH Fogarty Fellow and PhD graduate in Health Behavior Health Promotion, her work uses mixed methods, participatory approaches, and health economics to understand health behaviors and design effective interventions. Her recent research has focused on HIV prevention preferences in Uganda, vaccine acceptance, resilience informatics, implementation science, and environmental health in Southern Arizona. Across her academic, global health, Peace Corps, teaching, and community leadership experiences, she remains dedicated to bridging science and practice to improve health outcomes locally and globally.
Abineau/Fremont: Building Resilient and Accessible Rural Health Systems
Building a Patient-Centered Continuum: Measurable, Cross-Sector Collaboration in Rural Behavioral Health is Possible
Rural communities facing behavioral health and addiction crises need formal, cross-sector collaboration to address fragmented systems and workforce shortages. This session will guide leaders and cross-sector partners on how to convene effective teams, engage local leadership, and implement shared pathways that reduce ED visits, improve workforce satisfaction, and strengthen care transitions. Using real rural success stories, we will demonstrate how leveraging local resources and clear data tracking can remove barriers and build equitable, community-led solutions.
Renee Schulte, Senior Consultant, Rural Policy Partners
Renee Schulte, a recognized expert in behavioral health policy and a former state legislator, brings over two decades of leadership experience across national, state, and local levels. As a founding member of Rural Policy Partners and a licensed mental health therapist, Renee combines her expertise in government relations to develop innovative solutions for complex healthcare challenges. With a unique blend of public and private sector experience, she delivers impactful presentations on topics such as revolutionizing rural mental wellness and the intersection of behavioral health and the justice system. She currently serves as the Chair of the Iowa Board of Parole.
Supporting Rural Infrastructure with the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity
Mary Foote, Director, Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity
Mary Foote serves as Director of the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), where she strengthens Arizona's workforce and economy through coordinated development strategy and economic research. With 15 years of experience in economic development, business attraction, and workforce strategy, she brings a unique combination of financial expertise and public sector vision to her role.
Before joining OEO, Mary revitalized the Greater Arizona Development Authority, securing $1.4 million in infrastructure funding for underserved communities. As CEO of Pipeline AZ, she transformed the organization into Arizona's leading technology platform for career mapping with 150,000 users. She previously served as Vice President at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
Mary holds a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Business and Philosophy. She earned a Global Leadership Certificate from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and is a Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.
Humphreys: Strengthening the Rural Health Workforce Pipeline
The Arizona AHEC’s Community Based Experiential Training (CBET)
The six Arizona AHEC Regional Centers will discuss their respective roles in the placement of over 1,400 unique health profession trainees (in FY25) in nearly 325,000 rotation hours in rural and underserved Arizona communities. The Regional Centers will discuss the multiple ways in which they provide trainee support, and their extensive community and academic partner collaborations, including with the ten Rural Health Professions Programs. These and other Center successes make Arizona AHEC one of the largest-reporting AHECs in the country.
Leila Barraza, J.D., M.P.H.; Professor; Department Chair, Public Health Practice, Policy & Translational Research; Director, Arizona Area Health Education Centers Program
Leila Barraza is Professor at Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona. She is the Director of the Arizona Area Health Education Centers program (AzAHEC). She also serves as a Senior Consultant with the Network for Public Health Law – Western Region Office. Her research interests include studying the impact of laws and regulations on population health. Barraza received a Master in Public Health from the Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona in 2004. She worked for the Center for Rural Health (formerly Rural Health Office) at the Zuckerman College of Public Health following the completion of her master’s degree. Barraza provided assistance to rural and tribal hospitals and clinics regarding new medical designation opportunities, health practitioner recruitment, emergency medical services, and funding opportunities. She received her J.D. with a Certificate in Law, Science, and Technology from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, in 2008. Following her graduation from law school, Barraza served as a law clerk for the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One from 2009-2012. Prior to joining the Zuckerman College of Public Health as an Assistant Professor in 2014, Barraza served as Deputy Director of the Network for Public Health Law – Western Region Office, and a Fellow and Adjunct Professor in the Public Health Law and Policy Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Barraza has been published in several scholarly journals, including JAMA, AJPH, Public Health Reports, Jurimetrics Journal, Annals of Health Law, and Journal for Law, Medicine, and Ethics. Barraza has also provided numerous presentations at national and local conferences on a variety of critical public health law issues. She instructs a public health law course for public health and law students and has given special lectures in health law and public health law courses.
Yolanda Perez, MPH, Center Director, Southern Arizona AHEC
Yolanda Perez, MPH is the Director of the Southern Arizona Area Health Education Center (SAAHEC) at El Rio Health, where she leads strategic initiatives to strengthen the healthcare workforce across rural and medically underserved communities. With extensive experience in program development, grant management, and cross-sector collaboration, she oversees workforce training programs, academic partnerships, and continuing education initiatives that expand access to quality care.
Gloria Vasquez, Center Director, Central Arizona AHEC
Gloria Vasquez serves as Director of Workforce at Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers. With over 16 years of nonprofit leadership experience, she has advanced initiatives in attainable homeownership, food security, veteran resources, and healthcare workforce development. Gloria earned a BS in Marketing from the University of Arizona, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and an MPM from Arizona State University. She serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Arizona Democracy Resource Center and the Phoenix Conservatory of Music, and has been an active member of the Junior League for ten years. An Arizona native, she resides in Buckeye.
Jeffrey Axtell, Center Director, American Indian Health AHEC
Jeff Axtell obtained a BS in Healthcare Admin. at NAU, as well his MPH at U of A. Jeff started as Deputy Director for Cochise County HD; he went on to Flagstaff Medical Center where he was the Director of the Children’s Health Center and also oversaw the two Cancer Centers. Jeff worked with North Country Healthcare as manager for the Williams FQHC and then became the CEO for Native Americans for Community Action, an Urban Indian Health Organization. Jeff joined the Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care in 2022 and currently serves as the Director of the AIH-AHEC.
Shannan Gonzalez, Center Director, Southwest Health Education Collaborative AHEC
Born and raised in Yuma County, Shannan developed an early appreciation for the challenges and strengths of rural and border communities, particularly in accessing quality healthcare. With eight years of experience in physician and advanced practice provider recruitment, Shannan has worked to connect skilled clinicians with underserved areas, gaining valuable insight into workforce shortages and sustainable staffing solutions. Shannan attended Arizona Western College, continued at Northern Arizona University, and earned an MBA from Capella University. Now serving as Director of the AHEC Western Region, Shannan leads regional efforts in Yuma, La Paz and Mohave counties to strengthen healthcare workforce pipelines.
Marica Martinic, MPH, Center Director, Colorado Plateau Center for Health Professions AHEC
Marica Martinic is the Education Director at Elk Ridge Community Health (ERCH), providing administrative oversight for its embedded Area Health Education Center (AHEC), the Colorado Plateau Center for Health Professions (CPCHP), and supporting the Elk Ridge Community Health Family Medicine Residency Program and Psychiatry Residency Program (in development). Marica completed her Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice at the University of Arizona and has over twenty years of experience in development, implementation, and evaluation of nonprofit community health programs.
Jennifer Smith, MBA, MS, C.Ped, Center Director, Center for Excellence in Rural Education AHEC
Jennifer J. Smith, MBA, MS, C.Ped., is Executive Director of the Center for Excellence in Rural Education (CERE), an Area Health Education Center serving Gila, Graham, and Greenlee Counties in rural Arizona. A Payson resident since 1992, Jennifer brings deep roots and firsthand perspective to advancing rural health workforce development across some of Arizona’s most underserved communities. She leads initiatives connecting students, preceptors, and healthcare organizations to build sustainable local pipelines—keeping rural-trained providers in rural practice. She serves on MHA Foundation Board and as President of the Rim Country Educational Foundation, furthering her commitment to education and community health.
Doyle/Rees: Advancing Priority Health Initiatives in Rural Communities
Caring for New Families: Perinatal Mental Health Support in Rural Settings
Participants will begin by developing a foundational understanding of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). The session will review common signs and symptoms, as well as key risk and protective factors, and explore how these conditions may present differently across individuals, family systems, and close-knit rural communities. Emphasis will be placed on distinguishing typical postpartum adjustment from clinically significant concerns, while recognizing rural challenges such as stigma, geographic isolation, limited access to providers, and reduced anonymity. This knowledge will strengthen participants’ confidence in early identification, even when formal screening tools or specialists are not readily available.
The workshop will then introduce practical, evidence-informed strategies to support
families in low-resource settings. Participants will learn and practice approaches such as strengths-based communication, validation and normalization, collaborative safety planning, and warm referrals adapted for rural systems, including tele-health and regional networks. Emphasis will be placed on leveraging community assets like primary care providers, home visiting programs, faith-based organizations, and peer supports.
Kelly Donohue Cooper, Licensed Psychologist, PSI Arizona Board Chair, PMHAAZ Board President
Dr. Kelly Donohue (she/her) is a licensed Psychologist and is board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in the specialty area of Counseling Psychology. Her areas of expertise include the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of maternal mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, and serious mental illnesses. Additionally, she currently serves on the board of the Arizona Chapter for Postpartum Support International. She has presented at both regional and national conferences and is the co-author of several peer reviewed articles. Current research interests include evidence-based practices for co-occurring developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses, and maternal health equity. She is a strong advocate for mental health equality, and has completed her clinical work primarily in rural parts of Arizona where there is a limited network of mental health professionals. As a mother of two young toddlers with professional and lived experience, she is passionate about providing support to parents and their families during the perinatal period.
Abineau/Fremont: Building Resilient and Accessible Rural Health Systems
Unburdening a burdened system: The use of Point of Care biomarkers to address unmet needs in the healthcare system
This presentation will explore the clinical impact and diagnostic considerations of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Attendees will gain insights into the role of point-of-care biomarkers in these critical conditions, examining how they can streamline clinical decision-making and deliver meaningful benefits for both patients and healthcare systems.
A Qualitative Analysis of Veteran’s Health Care Within the Prescott, Arizona VA System: Perceived Improvements & Consistent Barriers to Care.
Dylan Harvey, Student Researcher, Arizona State University Honors College
Dylan Harvey is an undergraduate student at Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, studying Biomedical Sciences with plans to attend medical school. He completed his honors thesis examining barriers to healthcare for veterans in the Prescott, Arizona VA system. Originally from Prescott Valley, Arizona, and the son of a disabled veteran, Dylan is especially passionate about improving rural and mental healthcare systems
Applying the 7 Vital Conditions for Health
Capacity Building for Public Health
Elev8 Initiative, Healthcare Excellence Through Education the GRHC-UA LIC Journey
Policy Scan of School Health Policies on the Navajo Nation
Mark Siemon, PhD, RN, PHNA-BC, CPH, CNE, Public Health Nurse, Population Health Care Consulting, PLLC
Mark has been a Public Health Nurse for over 30 years. He was a Commissioned Officer with the U.S.P.H.S working in Chinle and Tsaile, AZ, and he was the Director of the Pueblo of San Felipe Health and Wellness Department in NM. He has a dual Master’s degree in Public Health and Community Health Nursing (MPH/MSN) and a PhD in Nursing with a concentration in Health Policy. He is nationally certified in Public Health Nursing (PHNA-BC), Public Health (CPH), and Nursing Education (CNE). He is currently working as a Public Health Nurse in the Four Corners Region of Arizona.
Daytona Raye, MS, GHWIC Program Coordinator, Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board
Daytona Raye, MS is Dine/Navajo from Rock Point, AZ. Her clans are: Tachiinii, To’ahani, Tlaashchi’, Tabaahi. She is a strong advocate for educational, cultural and professional well-being for our Native American communities. She has worked in public health and education in tribal, state and federal programs. She obtained her master’s degree in Community Health at the University of New Mexico. For the past 7 years she has taught part time at a tribal college - Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) in Albuquerque, NM and works full time as the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country Program Coordinator (GHWIC) for the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, Inc (AAIHB) and Alb. Area Southwest Tribal Epi. Center.
In her profession, she focuses on Indigenous well-being through community health promotion and disease prevention initiatives. Recently, Daytona signed up for a half marathon. When she is not training, she enjoys her time with family, taking care of her parents, her dogs and reading
Sustaining Arizona’s Community-Based Preceptor Workforce: Insights from a Survey of Rural Health Professions Program Preceptors
Bryna Koch, DrPH Assistant Research Professor, Arizona Center for Rural Health
The Case for Integrating Social Care
Kristina Belinte, MHA, MLS, Social Determinants of Health Senior Advisor, Contexture
Kristina Belinte, MHA, MLS, is the Social Determinants of Health Senior Advisor for CommunityCares at Contexture, Arizona’s Health Information Exchange. She leads statewide partnerships with healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and tribal entities to improve care coordination and address social determinants of health through closed-loop referral technology. Kristina has more than 10 years of experience in behavioral health, community health, and healthcare operations, with a focus on underserved and Native American communities. She earned her Master of Health Administration from The George Washington University and her Master of Legal Studies in Health Law and Policy from the University of Arizona.
The Impact of the Arizona Health Start Program on Maternal and Child Health
Patrick Wightman, Director, Population Health, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistcs, University of Arizona
Patrick Wightman, PhD, MPP, is the Director for Population Health at the University of Arizona Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics. Dr. Wightman is a Health Economist specializing in program evaluation, health services research, population health, and population health data. He earned his degrees in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and was a MacArthur Foundation Network on Transition to Adulthood Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Michigan. Prior to joining the UA, he was a Sr. Economic Analyst with the Oregon Health Authority.
The Unequal Burden of Artificial Intelligence: Environmental and Health Costs of Energy-Intensive AI
Imran Hossain Mithu, PhD Student, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona \
Imran Mithu is a PhD student in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Arizona’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. His research focuses on the environmental and health effects of AI data centers, particularly energy consumption, water use, and community exposure risks. He also examines the environmental factors underlying Alzheimer’s disease, using data analytics and spatial modeling to inform equity-focused policies.
Weighing the Risk: Youth Cannabis Prevention Education – a Joint Effort
Sean P. Cronin, Project Manager, University of Arizona, Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction
Sean P. Cronin, BA, is a Program Manager at the University of Arizona Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction, where he leads workforce development and community education initiatives focused on health, substance use, and prevention. He manages statewide and federally funded public health programs and specializes in developing digital and in-person trainings on cannabis and other substances for diverse audiences. Working at the intersection of public health, education, and design, Cronin collaborates with interprofessional teams to translate scientific and clinical information into accessible, evidence-informed learning experiences and public-facing educational media.
Alyssa R. Padilla, Director of Operations, Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction
Day 2: Wednesday, June 3
7:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast
Sheila Sjolander, MSW, Deputy Director, Public Health Services, Arizona Department of Health Services
Sheila Sjolander serves as the Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), overseeing Public Health Services. Sheila has been a dedicated public health leader at ADHS for more than 25 years, most recently serving as Interim Director of ADHS, and holding prior roles as Assistant Director for Prevention Services and Bureau Chief of Women’s and Children’s Health. She has led the agency’s collaborative work for the Arizona Health Improvement Plan and spearheaded ADHS’ role in the Rural Health Transformation Program. She has a Master of Social Work degree, and has received numerous awards, including the Outstanding Achievement in Rural Women’s Health from the Arizona Rural Women’s Health Network in 2016, the Harold B. Woodward Award from Arizona Public Health Association in 2016, and the CHW Champion Award from the Arizona Community Health Worker Association in 2017.
Humphreys: Strengthening the Rural Health Workforce Pipeline
Pay Now or Pay Later: The Financial Consequences of Untreated Perinatal Mental Health
This presentation highlights the economic and health system impact of untreated maternal mental health conditions and the role of the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line (APAL) in mitigating these costs. Untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are associated with increased rates of preterm birth, obstetric complications, emergency department utilization, and prolonged maternal and infant morbidity—driving substantial and preventable healthcare spending. Using APAL program data and existing health economics literature, this session will outline the downstream costs of delayed or absent mental health care during pregnancy and postpartum, including impacts on maternal functioning, infant outcomes, and family stability. The presentation will then describe APAL’s statewide consultation model, which provides real-time psychiatric guidance to frontline providers, improving timely treatment and care coordination without requiring new specialty workforce.
Saira Kalia, Director, Arizona Psychiatry Access Line (APAL)
APAL's Director, Dr. Saira Kalia, is a highly accomplished perinatal psychiatrist and educator, with a wealth of experience in both clinical care and administrative leadership. She has held various roles at Banner University Medical Center, including serving as Medical Director for Outpatient Psychiatry and Associate Program Director for the Adult Psychiatry Residency Program. Her leadership and resourcefulness secured funding for two groundbreaking initiatives: the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line in June 2023 and the Arizona Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line in April 2024.
Her contributions to the field of perinatal psychiatry include launching the Psychiatry Department's Perinatal Psychiatry Training Track and Clinical Service. Dr. Kalia provides national trainings for the Postpartum Support International (PSI) organization and has made contributions to the National Curriculum of Reproductive Psychiatry and the American Psychiatric Association's first Textbook of Women's Reproductive Mental Health.
Doyle/Rees: Advancing Priority Health Initiatives in Rural Communities
Expanding High-Acuity Care in Rural Settings: A Tele-ICU & Inpatient Dialysis Model for Critical Access Hospitals
Rural and Critical Access Hospitals face significant barriers in delivering higher-acuity care due to limited specialty access, workforce shortages, and geographic isolation. These challenges often result in delayed treatment, increased transfers, and fragmented care, disproportionately affecting Indigenous populations. At Sage Memorial Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital serving the Navajo Nation, these gaps were evident in the management of critically ill patients and those requiring dialysis.
This presentation describes the implementation of a Tele-ICU and inpatient dialysis program designed to expand local care capacity. Through 24/7 tele-intensivist and tele-nephrology partnerships, targeted workforce development, and phased implementation, the hospital operationalized inpatient dialysis using limited infrastructure. Strategies included cross-training nursing staff, deploying two self-contained dialysis machines, and establishing standardized clinical and operational protocols.
This model reduced interfacility transfers, improved continuity of care, and enhanced access to culturally aligned services closer to home. It also improved operational efficiency and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Attendees will gain practical, scalable strategies to implement telehealth-enabled specialty services, strengthen rural workforce capacity, and improve equitable access to high-acuity care in resource-limited settings.
Dr. Kenneth Anaeme, MD, FACP, FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Navajo Health Foundation - Sage Memorial Hospital
Dr Kenneth Anaeme has over 30 years of medical experience in various settings and across multiple countries. He graduated MBBS with distinction in Pharmacology from the University of Ibadan Medical School in 1988. He relocated to the United States in 1992 and underwent residency training in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is triple Board certified in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine and Undersea/Hyperbaric Medicine.
Following a successful career in private practice in Chicago, Illinois and Phoenix, Arizona, Dr Anaeme was chosen to become the Chief Medical Officer of the Navajo Health Foundation- Sage Memorial Hospital in February 2023. Dr Anaeme is interested in the alleviation of health disparities through the improvement of access to high quality, efficient health care for all segments of the population.
Ernasha McIntosh, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, is a Family Nurse Practitioner and healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience serving rural and underserved communities in northeastern Arizona. She currently serves at Sage Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in Ganado, Arizona, where she holds leadership roles as Assistant Chief Medical Officer and Assistant Emergency Department Director, while also practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in both the Emergency Department and Rural Health Clinic. Ms. McIntosh is dedicated to workforce development and serves as a clinical preceptor for nurse practitioner and physician assistant students. She previously held executive leadership positions including Chief Nursing Officer and Interim Outpatient Medical Director, as well as extensive experience in infection prevention, nursing supervision, and acute care. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University and a Post -Master’s Emergency Nurse Practitioner certification. Her clinical expertise is supported by advanced certifications in trauma, cardiac, and pediatric life support, and her career reflects a strong commitment to advancing rural healthcare quality, access, and education.
Abineau/Fremont: Building Resilient and Accessible Rural Health Systems
Preparing Rural Arizona Providers for the 2027 Medicaid Work Requirements
This session will prepare rural Arizona providers for upcoming Medicaid work requirements under OBBBA by breaking down key timelines, exemption criteria, and anticipated impacts on coverage. Drawing on lessons learned from Arkansas’s earlier implementation, it will highlight common challenges such as administrative burden and language access barriers. Participants will leave with practical, actionable steps to support patient outreach, minimize coverage disruptions, and strengthen protections for vulnerable Medicaid populations.
Ed Hendel, Co-Founder and CEO, Sky Island AI
Ed Hendel is Co-Founder and CEO of Sky Island AI, a Tucson-based company that developed the Virtual Case Manager, an AI call center that helps Medicaid enrollees navigate the upcoming work requirements. Ed spent a decade in healthcare AI and data science, including roles at UnitedHealth Group and Evolent Health, where he served as Associate Director of Data Science. In 2017, he founded the Medicaid Data Science team at Banner University Health Plans in Tucson. He chaired the 2026 national Medicaid Managed Care Conference in San Diego, and holds a Master's from Harvard.
Humphreys
Arizona voters will face several important ballot propositions in the November 2026 election—many with significant implications for public health, health policy, and the systems that shape community wellbeing. This session will provide a practical overview of the major statewide ballot measures that will appear on the 2026 ballot and analyze them through a public health lens.
Participants will learn how various propositions could affect population health outcomes, health system financing, public health authority, and the social determinants of health. The presentation will examine measures referred by the Arizona Legislature as well as potential citizen initiatives, highlighting how policies related to healthcare access, public health authority, taxation, housing, environmental protections, and individual rights can influence health at the community level.
The session will also explore how ballot propositions function within Arizona’s policymaking environment and why they have become an increasingly important pathway for major policy decisions in the state. Using recent examples and current 2026 measures, the presentation will outline the potential health impacts—both intended and unintended—of these proposals.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the 2026 ballot landscape, the policy mechanisms involved, and the potential implications for rural communities and health systems. The session will also discuss how public health professionals can responsibly analyze and communicate about ballot measures while remaining grounded in evidence and professional ethics.
This presentation is designed for public health practitioners, healthcare leaders, rural health stakeholders, and policymakers who want to better understand how Arizona’s ballot process intersects with population health and rural health outcomes.
Will Humble, Executive Director, Arizona Public Health Association
Will Humble is a long-time public health enthusiast and is currently the Executive Director for the Arizona Public Health Association (AzPHA). His 40 years in public health include more than 2 decades at the Arizona Department of Health Services, where he served in various roles including as the Director from 2009 to 2015. He continues it be involved in health policy in his role as the Executive Director for the AZPHA.
Will is a believer in using evidence-based health policy to improve health outcomes and in leading and managing with emotional intelligence. Follow him on Twitter @willhumble_az
Humphreys: Strengthening the Rural Health Workforce Pipeline
From Incarceration to Infrastructure: Leveraging Lived Experience to Strengthen Rural Health Systems
Rural communities experience disproportionate rates of incarceration, substance use disorders, untreated trauma, and behavioral health access gaps. Yet rural health systems often fail to formally integrate justice-impacted individuals into solution-building roles. This exclusion reinforces cycles of recidivism, workforce shortages, and mistrust between communities and providers.
This presentation examines how lived experience—particularly from individuals impacted by incarceration, addiction, and trauma—can be systematically integrated into rural health infrastructure to improve access, engagement, and outcomes.
Drawing from real-world program development in rural Arizona, this session outlines a replicable framework for transitioning justice-impacted individuals from system recipients to system contributors. Attendees will explore strategies for peer integration, stigma reduction, law enforcement collaboration, and cross-sector alignment between behavioral health, community organizations, and crisis response systems.
Shaun McClure, President NAMI Payson, Host Stigma Shift
Shaun McClure is a mental health advocate, public speaker, and community leader based in rural Arizona. After spending more than two decades cycling through incarceration, addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges, Shaun transformed his lived experience into a mission of service, education, and stigma reduction.
He currently serves as President of NAMI Payson and works as an Ending the Silence specialist with NAMI Arizona, helping bring mental health education and suicide prevention awareness to schools and communities across rural and tribal regions of the state. Shaun is also the creator of “Stigma Shift,” a platform focused on mental health, resilience, recovery, and personal growth through honest conversation and community engagement.
Drawing from firsthand experience, Shaun speaks on topics including trauma, addiction, incarceration, recovery, resilience, confidence, and purpose-driven transformation. His work blends practical tools, lived experience, and a direct, relatable approach that resonates with audiences ranging from students and community organizations to healthcare and justice-system professionals.
Shaun’s mission is simple: to help people understand that their past does not have to define their future, and that healing, growth, and purpose are possible—even after years of struggle.
Doyle/Rees: Advancing Priority Health Initiatives in Rural Communities
Upstream Impact: Engaging Primary Care to Improve Preconception Health and Reduce Maternal Morbidity in Rural Arizona
Maternal morbidity and mortality remain significant concerns in Arizona, particularly in rural communities facing limited access to care, workforce shortages, and unmet social needs. Many adverse outcomes are preventable and linked to modifiable risk factors, yet opportunities for intervention are often missed before pregnancy. This presentation reframes preconception health as a core responsibility of primary care, emphasizing the role of physician assistants and other frontline providers in early risk identification. Grounded in the principle that “Every visit is a preconception visit,” this session highlights how routine encounters can improve maternal outcomes.
Attendees will explore practical, time-efficient strategies to integrate preconception screening into primary care workflows, including assessment of chronic conditions, behavioral health, medication safety, and social determinants of health. Mental health screening approaches informed by Postpartum Support International and free, accessible support resources will be highlighted. The Preconception Counseling Checklist from the Reproductive Health National Training Center will serve as a roadmap for implementing a systematic, team-based approach adaptable to diverse primary care settings to optimize health prior to pregnancy and reduce preventable complications.
Sherron Cook DHSc, MS, PA-C, Assistant Professor of Practice, University of AZ Physician Assistant program.
Dr. Sherron Cook, a Northern Arizona native, is a physician assistant and educator dedicated to improving rural and Indigenous health across Arizona. She earned her PA degree from A.T. Still University and a Doctor of Health Science in 2019. Her career spans Indian Health Service, Tribal 638 programs, Urban Indian Health organizations, and Federally Qualified Health Centers throughout Arizona. Dr. Cook also serves as program faculty and mentor, supporting Indigenous students and future clinicians at the University of Arizona Physician Assistant Program. She is passionate about advancing health equity and addressing disparities in Native American populations.
Nicole Caniglia, MSPAS, PA-C, Assistant Professor of Practice, University of AZ, Physician Assistant Department
Nicole Caniglia is an Arizona native and physician assistant committed to expanding access to quality primary care across Southern Arizona. Her clinical experience spans the full spectrum of primary care, and she has practiced in a diverse range of settings, including traditional office-based clinics, senior living communities, home health care, and correctional medicine. Nicole has worked as a clinical preceptor for PA students for many years and has recently transitioned into full-time academia at the University of Arizona, where she aims to support the development of future providers and strengthen the healthcare workforce serving rural and underserved Arizona communities.
Abineau/Fremont: Building Resilient and Accessible Rural Health Systems
Transforming Dental Settings into Prevention Powerhouses: Tackling HPV and Oral Cancer Through Immunization
The COVID-19 pandemic led to declines in childhood immunization rates, prompting the need for innovative strategies to improve vaccine access and delivery. Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. (CCHCI) implemented a vaccine–dental integration program to reduce missed opportunities by offering pediatric and adult immunizations within dental appointments. This approach supports comprehensive care by providing multiple services during a single visit.
To assess feasibility and patient willingness, CCHCI’s Research Team surveyed 1,270 patients. Acceptance rates were 61.8% among adults and 50.2% among caregivers of pediatric patients. Based on these encouraging findings, CCHCI hired a full time nurse dedicated to reviewing immunization histories, discussing vaccine needs with patients, and administering vaccines onsite during dental appointments.
A key outcome involved improved acceptance of the HPV vaccine. Historically challenging due to misconceptions linking it to adolescent sexual activity, administering HPV vaccines in dental settings shifted conversations toward cancer prevention, specifically oropharyngeal cancer. This reframing aligns with clinical guidelines recommending vaccination beginning at age nine and helps reshape perceptions surrounding HPV immunization.
Overall, integrating vaccination services into dental care maximizes patient interactions, enhances accessibility, and supports efforts to improve immunization rates across diverse populations.
Implementing HR1: A Cross-Agency Discussion
This interactive panel discussion will bring together leaders from Arizona state agencies to explore cross-agency efforts related to HR1 Rural Health Transformation implementation and the impact on rural and public health systems. Panelists will discuss current priorities, opportunities for collaboration, implementation challenges, and strategies to strengthen access, infrastructure, and health outcomes for rural communities across Arizona.
Daniel Derksen, MD, Walter H. Pearce Endowed Chair & Director, Arizona Center for Rural Health, Professor of Public Health, Medicine & Nursing
University of Arizona Health Sciences Associate Vice President for Health Equity, Outreach & Interprofessional Activities. He is a tenured Professor of Public Health in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health with joint appointments in the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing. His current service, education and research activities include informing legislative, regulatory and program policy to improve access to health care and health insurance coverage; narrowing health disparities; developing, implementing and evaluating interprofessional service-learning sites; and working to assure a well-trained and distributed health workforce to meet the health needs of all Arizonans.
A very special thank you to our 2026 Arizona Rural Health Conference Sponsors
Arizona Center for Telemedicine and Digital Health
Arizona Psychiatry Access Lines
Arizona Department of Health Services
Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction
Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies
Solari Crisis & Human Services
Western Region Public Health Training Center
Bronze: