ArMA's Inaugural Heartbeat Gala Recognizes Four Members of College’s Faculty

The Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) hosted its inaugural Heartbeat Gala and recognized four members of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix’s faculty among its list of award recipients for the 2024 ArMA Health Care Awards.

The Heartbeat Gala celebrated exemplary Arizona individuals, physicians and organizations who are the driving forces of medicine, from advocacy to education to community. The black-tie event also raised funds to benefit the ArMA Foundation.

Meet the Award Recipients

Andrew J. P. Carroll, MD

Dr. Carroll — an assistant clinical professor for the U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix’s Department of Family, Community and Preventative Medicine — received the Award in Memory of Edward Sattenspiel, MD.

Dr. Sattenspiel is a former ArMA president and champion for health care in Arizona. The award honors an individual with a long-term commitment to organized medicine.

Dr. Carroll was selected for his work as a strong and consistent advocate for beneficial health policy, both locally and nationally, within the American Academy of Family Physicians.

“It’s through mentorships and opportunities available only through our professional organizations that we find our newest leaders,” Dr. Carroll said. I’m happy to see ArMA enhancing opportunities for our young students and physicians by encouraging leadership tracks for our newest advocates.”

Daniel J. Briceland, MD

Dr. Briceland received the National Leadership Award from ArMA for his service as the 127th president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Briceland’s term as president was characterized by a passion that led the academy to witness unprecedented engagement levels.

According to the nomination, Dr. Briceland’s leadership was instrumental to the academy’s efforts to “address scope of practice and foster comprehensive mentorship for aspiring ophthalmologists.”

Craig D. Norquist, MD

Dr. Norquist, a clinical assistant professor for the college’s Department of Biomedical Informatics, was awarded the Public Health Service Award. ArMA recognized Dr. Norquist for his extensive efforts to address public health issues — such as opioid prescriptions.

Dr. Norquist holds roles as HonorHealth’s chief medical information officer, as well as program director for their Clinical Informatics Fellowship.

“To be honored with this award means so much to me because a roomful of mentors recognizing you means so much more than anything else,” Dr. Norquist said. “Public health is often overlooked, but it’s so crucially important. There’s so much more that we can do and will do if we do it together.”

Gretchen B. Alexander, MD

The final award presented of the evening was the Distinguished Service Award, which is the organization’s highest honor. Dr. Alexander, an associate clinical professor in the college’s Department of Psychiatry, was recognized for her outstanding service to the community.

A board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Alexander served as ArMA President from 2017–2018. An advocate of organized medicine in the community, ArMA noted that throughout her career, Dr. Alexander made a significant impact within Arizona’s health care community.

For Dr. Alexander, the most pressing issue for medicine is the fragmented state of the health care delivery system for patients and physicians.

“The level of dysfunction in the health care delivery system is an incredibly complex problem that has multiple causes, so it’s going to be complicated to fix,” Dr. Alexander said. “I’m not really sure what the solution is, but I do feel like organized medicine associations, like ArMA, have an important role to play in connecting physicians with legislators who are in a position to get laws passed and create a functional health care system.”