Arizona Rural Health Association is a not-for-profit corporation. While we continue to serve as the University of Arizona Center for Rural Health (CRH) advisory body, we've expanded to cover many other areas involving advocacy for rural healthcare programs.

The mission of the Arizona Rural Health Association is to be a leader in partnerships, education and policy for improving the health status of rural communities in Arizona. 

The first Board of Directors was elected at the 1995 Annual Rural Health Conference following membership on the Rural Health Office Advisory Committee. The Board has met regularly since AzRHA was established as an independent non-profit corporation.  The board serves as elected leadership for the AzRHA and provides all stewardship and oversight of the association.

2023 Board of Directors

Holly Figueroa
President, Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona | Health Choice

Elizabeth Hall-Lipsey
Past President, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona

Vijette Saari
Secretary, Candelen

Jack Beveridge
Treasurer, Empowerment Systems Inc.

Cynthia Flores, DNP, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P
Children’s Advocacy Center of Southern Arizona

Emmett Suckow
University of Arizona, Health Sciences Physiology & Medical Sciences

Lupe Campos
Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona | Health Choice

At Large

Alden Joe, ACHE
Consultant

Amy Snell, MSN, WHNP-BC
Banner Page Hospital

Carol Lewis, MA
Yavapai County Community Health Services

Daniel Derksen, MD
Director, Arizona Center for Rural Health

Kristine Erps Stewart
Arizona Telemedicine Program

Robert Guerrero, MBA
Rep Office of U.S. Senator Mark Kelly

Vicki Phillips, LMSW
Community Bridges, Inc.

Williard Van Nostrand, MD
Pima Emergency Physicians, Inc.

Standing Committees: 

All AzRHA members are welcome and encouraged to join us.

Membership & Communication Committee:

This group works to build our membership base, communicate with  current and prospective members, and maintain our member management system, website, social media and e-mail communication systems. We meet on the first Friday of each month.

Program & Policy Committee:

This committee meets to discuss current federal and state issues and formulate positions on policies that impact rural health in Arizona, as well as recommending new programs and initiatives with which AzRHA should become involved.

Executive Committee:

The executive committee solves larger issues and focal points of the association and serves as the central governing body of the board of directors.  It meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

Board of Directors:

The association's board of directors is the collective body of elected stakeholders who govern the association and ensure business, compliance and operations are run successfully.  The board meets on the third Thursday of each month.