Clinical Programs and Centers of Excellence - High-Risk Obstetric Hospitalists | The University of Arizona College of Medicine

Overview

The High-Risk Obstetric Hospitalist Team provides around-the-clock, expert care for patients with medically complex pregnancies and obstetric emergencies at the Level IV Perinatal center, Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix and Banner Desert Medical Center. Working in close partnership with the Maternal–Fetal Medicine (MFM) service, our hospitalists bring advanced clinical skills in managing high-acuity conditions, coordinating care across disciplines and ensuring timely, evidence-based interventions.

Our physicians are highly trained in critical obstetric procedures — including emergency cesarean delivery, management of massive obstetric hemorrhage and intensive care support for critically ill pregnant patients. Seamless collaboration with MFM is central to our practice, supported by joint rounds, shared decision-making and integrated care pathways.

In addition to providing exceptional bedside care, the team plays a key role in quality improvement, patient safety and medical education. We actively lead simulation training, obstetric safety initiatives and multidisciplinary case reviews, and we serve as mentors for residents and medical students.

Grounded in professionalism, empathy and cultural awareness, the High-Risk Obstetric Hospitalist Team is committed to advancing a culture of safety, continuous learning and compassionate, patient-centered care for every mother and baby we serve.

Faculty

Benjamin Cordy, MD	Assistant Professor Undergraduate: The University of Washington, Neurobiology, Computational Neuroscience, Communication Studies Medical School: The University of Washington Residency: U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix, Obstetrics and Gynecology Fellowship: U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix, Surgical Critical Care Specialties: Critical care medicine, OB/GYN Areas of Expertise: Critical care medicine, obstetrical critical care, high-risk obstetrics, medical bioethics, health care communication. Publications
Cari L. Cowling, MD	Assistant Professor Site Lead, Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix OB Hospitalist Undergraduate: Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Science in Genetics Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas, 2005 Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas, 2009 Specialty: OB/GYN Area of Expertise: High-risk obstetrics
Shefali Gandhi-List, MD	Assistant Professor Undergraduate training: Vanderbilt University Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine Residency: The Ohio State School of Medicine/Mount Carmel Health Integrated Training Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialty: OB/GYN Area of Expertise: Improving the safety and quality of the care of hospitalized high-risk pregnant patients
Carrie Geer, MD	Service Line Director, OB Hospitalist Undergraduate training: The University of Michigan College of Engineering – Bachelors of Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Master's degree: Tufts University – Friedman School of Nutrition, Masters of Science in Nutrition Communications Medical School: The University of Vermont College of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine Residency: The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, OB/GYN Specialty: I have worked with the high-risk obstetrics team at Banner – University Medical Center in Banner Desert Medical Center for the last nine years. I enjoy working as part of a team with our maternal-fetal medicine colleagues to take care of high-risk pregnancies, including prenatal care, antepartum care, OB triage, deliveries and postpartum care.
Madison Hustedt, MD	Assistant Professor Undergraduate: Brigham Young University Medical School: Yale School of Medicine Residency: U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix Specialties: OB/GYN and high risk obstetrics Areas of Expertise: High-risk obstetric hospitalist working alongside maternal fetal medicine to manage medically complex pregnancies in a high acuity setting and attending to obstetrical emergencies such as cesarean sections, hemorrhages and ICU level obstetric care.
Brian MacArthur, MD	Associate Professor Co-Chair GME Quality and Safety Committee Undergraduate: Pomona College, Linguistics Medical School: Oregon Health and Science University Residency: Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center Specialty: OB/GYN Area of Expertise: Dr. MacArthur has worked as a high-risk OB hospitalist in the Banner system since 2013 and also spent time as division medical director, OB/GYN chief of service, and residency program director prior to taking on the role of OB Medical Director for Quality and Safety. He is active in undergraduate and graduate medical education and considers Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix his professional home. Publications
Lelan D. McCann, MD	Assistant Professor Undergraduate: BS in Biochemistry at Arizona State University Medical School: U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix Specialty: OB/GYN Area of Expertise: High-risk obstetrics Publications
Marquia Redden-Grier, MD, MBA	Assistant Professor Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Residency: Indiana University Specialty: OB/GYN Area of Expertise: Trained in general OB/GYN with experience in high-risk obstetrics since 2016. Publications
Michael J Smith, MD	Assistant Professor Undergraduate: Texas A & M University Medical School: LSU Medical School, New Orleans Residency: Orlando Regional Medical Center, OB/GYN Specialty: OB/GYN Area of Expertise: High-risk obstetrics
Danielle Williams, MD	Assistant Professor Medical School: U of A College of Medicine – Tucson Residency: Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix Specialty: OB/GYN Area of Expertise: High-risk obstetrics