Healthcare Leadership Awards 2017

Outstanding achievement in digital health winner: 

Arizona Telemedicine Program

Founded more than two decades ago, the Arizona Telemedicine Program was developed in response to perceived disparities in healthcare services between the urban and rural populations in the state. A true pioneer, ATP has labored to bring innovative telemedicine services into the mainstream as a healthcare delivery system in Arizona and around the world.

Outstanding achievement in medical technology winner:

SynCardia Systems

SynCardia is the manufacturer of the world’s first and only FDA, Health Canada and European CE approved total artificial heart, which is used as a bridge to transplant, helping them survive until a donor heart becomes available.

Outstanding healthcare executive winner:

Stan Holm, CEO, Abrazo West Campus

Under Holm’s leadership, Abrazo West completed a $26 million expansion and added five service lines and more than 50 surgeons to the medical staff. In addition, Abrazo West became a designated Level 1 Trauma Center and ranked among the best in Tenet on balanced scorecard.

Outstanding healthcare innovator winner:

Kent Dicks, founder and CEO, Life365

Dicks is a serial Arizona entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience providing strategic leadership in new and emerging markets. He is considered a thought leader in the mobile and digital health space. He has founded three successful companies in Arizona and Life365 was named Startup of the Year at the 2016 Arizona Governor’s Celebration of Innovation.

Outstanding medical director winner:

Janice Johnston, MD, co-founder and medical director, Redirect Health

Dr. Johnston and husband, Dr. David Berg, founded Arrowhead Health Centers, which housed numerous practices under one roof, a model that created major healthcare savings. They realized the value of this care model and co-founded Redirect Health in 2013 to help employers create healthcare plans that are affordable

Outstanding medical philanthropy winner:

Nicole Cundiff, CEO and co-founder, Colleen’s Dream

Cundiff co-founded Colleen’s Dream in 2012 after her mother, Colleen Drury, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In 2016, Colleen’s Dream gave $273,000 to ovarian cancer research, taking its total contributions since 2013 up to nearly $600,000.  The foundation awarded 36 research grants to 27 institutions in three years.

Outstanding medical researcher winner:

Jeffrey M. Trent, PhD, president and research director, TGen

Trent serves as co-principal investigator of the Stand Up to Cancer Melanoma Dream Team, which focuses on using molecularly-guided therapy for patients with BRAF wild-type (BRAFwt) metastatic melanoma.

Outstanding medical startup winner:

Akos MD

Akos uses a mobile interface to provide patients unparalleled access to qualified virtual care coordinators and board-certified physicians 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via a virtual smartphone or tablet consultation.

Outstanding physician winner:

Richard Towbin, MD, division chief of radiology, Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Dr. Towbin has invented and patented four medical devices and pioneered dozens of radiological procedures, driving a sea of change in pediatric practice in areas as diverse as cancer, cardiology and orthopedics. His work may be based in Arizona, but it impacts children around the world.

Outstanding wellness program winner:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

BCBSAZ educates, engages and empowers employees to take responsibility for their own health. In addition to medical management programs, BCBSAZ promotes wellness through fun contests and challenges. Popular programs include the Healthy W8 Challenge, an eight-week nutrition and exercise tracking program. In 2016, 348 employees lost a reported 949 pounds.