Keynote Speaker for Commencement Named

Banner Health President and CEO Peter Fine will deliver the commencement speech at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Class of 2019 commencement ceremony Monday, May 6.

This year’s commencement will begin at 3:30 p.m., at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix.

Graduation marks the completion of the students’ medical school journey, where they are formally awarded their doctor of medicine degrees, signaling the beginning of the next stage of their careers.

“Peter Fine has a unique perspective on medicine that will be valuable to our graduating students as they begin the next step of their training as resident physicians,” said UA College of Medicine – Phoenix Dean Guy Reed, MD, MS.

“This graduation will celebrate the hard work, dedication and achievements of the College of Medicine Class of 2019,” Dean Reed said. “Over the course of the next 40 years or so of their careers, we know that they will make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives in our community through skilled, compassionate care, innovation and leadership.”

Fine has led Banner through a significant transformation since he was named to lead Arizona’s largest health-care system in 2000.

Banner Health is one of the largest secular, non-profit health-care systems in the country. It employs more than 50,000 people and operates 28 hospitals in six states. The organization has expanded by opening urgent care centers, entered into partnerships in medical imaging and rehabilitation and plans to open a 120-bed hospital in Chandler in 2020.

Under Fine’s direction, Banner negotiated a 30-year academic affiliation agreement with the University of Arizona. The agreement included a $1.2 billion investment in capital projects and support for clinical enterprises at the University of Arizona Health Sciences.

Fine received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree in health care administration from George Washington University. He is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and previously served as a member of their Board of Governors.

*Photo Courtesy of: Shavon Rose, AZ Big Media