Quarles & Brady adds new partners in Phoenix

National law firm Quarles & Brady LLP has announced that 16 attorneys across the firm have been elected new partners, including four in Phoenix.
“These highly talented attorneys have become important contributors to our success by consistently demonstrating their commitment to a client-first mindset and to delivering high quality counsel,” said Mike Aldana, the firm’s managing partner. “With this well-deserved recognition, they now are positioned to play an even bigger role in our continued, long-term success.”
The new Phoenix partners are:
Christopher T. Dang, a member of the Health Law Practice Group in the firm’s Phoenix office. He counsels a range of health care industry clients from individuals and start-ups to established institutions. He regularly advises clients on FDA and DEA regulations as well as the professional practice requirements governing pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, physicians and nurses. He also assists health care clients navigate mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, contracting and business restructuring issues. Dang received his bachelor of arts and juris doctor from the University of Arizona.
Benjamin W. Graff, a Phoenix-based member of the Real Estate & Land Use Practice Group. With extensive experience in government relations and Arizona politics, he leads the firm’s land use, zoning, and municipal government relations team. Graff has become one of the preeminent attorneys furthering creative downtown infill development and has vast experience with zoning and entitling projects. He received his bachelor of arts and juris doctor from the University of Arizona.
Benjamin C. Nielsen, a Phoenix-based member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He serves clients with a wide variety of legal issues, including serving as a trusted advisor on areas of strategy, legal and regulatory compliance, and risk exposure. He handles all areas of business litigation, contract disputes, business torts, real estate litigation, mortgage disputes, tax lien foreclosures, and has defended clients in multiple class-action lawsuits nationwide. Nielsen received a bachelor of arts from Northern Arizona University and a juris doctor from the University of Arizona.
Lara M. Rhodes, a member of the Real Estate & Land Use Practice Group in Phoenix. She focuses on the acquisition, disposition and development of commercial real estate, portfolio transactions and commercial leasing. Her work includes representation of real estate investors on the acquisition, development and disposition of retail and mixed use properties, as well as representation of landlords in connection with drafting and negotiating office, retail and restaurant leases. Rhodes received her bachelor of science from Drexel University and her juris doctor from Arizona State University.
For more, visit www.quarles.com.

UAT names Walker new high school admissions manager

The University of Advancing Technology (UAT), a 100% STEM University in Tempe, announced the promotion of Robert Walker from Assistant Director of Admissions to High School Admissions Manager.

“Robert has shown incredible growth and drive over his 6 years here, and we couldn’t be more proud of him for what he has accomplished,” said Karla Aragon-Joyce, UAT Chief Operating Officer. Walker is also a recent dual Master’s graduate, earning both his Technology Leadership and Cyber Security degrees while employed at UAT.

Walker came to UAT from Kentucky in 2014, and he has taken on many different roles and challenges throughout his 6-year tenure. According to Dean Megan Benson, Walker has always come up with fun challenges for the admissions team to push them to achieve more. He is quick to learn and even more focused on soaking up all the knowledge and leadership experience he could. Never static, Walker is always willing to take on new roles, also going into the world of International admissions, working with the re-entry population, and a big part of the UAT Virtual Open Houses as the university altered its outreach methods for safety. He works hard at developing strong bonds with each team member and is committed to helping them reach their full protentional.

Walker earned his Bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University, where he began his career in Admissions as a tour guide. He is a servant to public service and has donated his time to numerous charitable efforts, including the Wounded Warrior Project and Red Cross. He is an alumnus of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Walker is also a “Tech Pop” musician, infusing his lyrics with subtle references to academic concepts situated in technology. From R&B ballads to bass-heavy, dance floor anthems, he embeds his music with interesting puzzles that tests his listener’s ear.

Gust Rosenfeld adds Frederick Cummings

Gust Rosenfeld, P.L.C., announced that Frederick M. Cummings has joined the firm’s Health Care Group and Insurance Group. Fred has extensive trial experience in the areas of health care, medical malpractice and medical products liability defense litigation. He also has significant experience in all aspects of complex litigation.

“We are very excited to add to the depth of our Health Care Group and Insurance Group. Fred’s significant experience in a broad range complex litigation matters gives our firm the ability to better serve our clients,” said Séan O’Brien, Chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group.

In his health care/medical malpractice defense practice, Fred has represented more than 1,000 physicians and dentists in malpractice suits before federal and state courts and in disciplinary and licensing proceedings before the state licensing boards. He also has defended lawsuits on behalf of a number of major Arizona hospitals, and has defended medical products manufacturers, distributors and retailers against products liability claims.

Fred earned his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and his B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University. He is AV® Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell® and has been included The Best Lawyers in America® ranking since 2007 and the Southwest Super Lawyers® rankings since 2008. Most recently he was named the 2021 Lawyer of the Year in Phoenix for Personal Injury Litigation by Best Lawyers in America®.

AzHHA announces John Amos as new board chairman

The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) Board of Directors today announced John Amos, president and chief executive officer of Yavapai Regional Medical Center as its new Board Chair. The board also voted to approve the addition of three new executives to the board.

The AzHHA Board of Directors represents hospitals and healthcare partners across Arizona and has authority over the governance and management of AzHHA. As a resourceful, influential and diverse hospital association, AzHHA works tirelessly to advance healthcare public policy and to implement programs that promote better healthcare for Arizonans.

Amos will begin his Chairman’s role within his third term on the AzHHA Board, having served since 2014. His background includes over 30 years in healthcare, including 15 years senior level administrative experience at Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott, Arizona. Amos will formally take over the Chairman’s position in December 2020.

The AzHHA Board also voted to appoint the following Arizona healthcare leaders to serve a 3-year term:

• Rona Curphy, The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital Chief Executive Officer/Chief Nursing Officer
Ms. Curphy is an outstanding senior executive healthcare leader. Prior to her appointment with the CORE Institute Specialty Hospital, Curphy served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Casa Grande Regional Medical Center since 2009 and as its Chief Nursing Officer since 2002. Ms. Curphy is also a Johnson & Johnson/Wharton Fellow having completed the program in Management for Nurse Executives and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

• Will McConnell, Ph.D., Kingman Regional Medical CenterPresident/Chief Executive Officer
Dr. McConnell recently moved to Kingman from Colorado to serve as the medical center’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). While in Durango, McConnell served in key leadership positions within Mercy Regional Medical Center for the past 10 years, the last three as Mercy’s CEO. During his tenure, Dr. McConnell made tremendous strides in quality, with CMS 5-star ratings since 2016, and a Becker’s Top 100 Community Hospital award. Additional focus on operational excellence, organizational leadership and the creation of a physician leadership council to enhance physician relations and medical staff development rounded out his tenure.

• Catherine Todero, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Creighton University Dean and Professor – College of Nursing, Vice Provost of Health Science Campuses
Dr. Todero was appointed as Vice Provost of Health Sciences Campuses in November 2019. She was appointed Dean and Professor of Nursing Creighton University, College of Nursing in June 2015. Dr. Todero’s research interests include circadian rhythms, shiftwork, and chronic disease/symptom management, including the use of telehealth as a disease management tool. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nurses and was also chosen for the Wharton Executive Leadership Institute.

“We are proud to welcome our three new healthcare executives to the board as they bring additional statewide perspective and leadership expertise to our 19-member board,” said AzHHA Board Chair Mike Patterson, chief executive officer of Havasu Regional Medical Center. “We also recognize the dedicated service of David French who will rotate off of our board after nine years of service.”

David French is the Board Chair for the Kingman Regional Medical Center. He served three consecutive terms for the AzHHA Board of Directors and has brought his unique expertise as a community hospital board member to the AzHHA board.

AzHHA board members each serve a three-year term on a rotating basis. A complete list of AzHHA’s Board of Directors may be found on our website:  https://www.azhha.org/board_of_directors.