The strongest advocate, ally, and resource for Arizona’s physicians and physicians-in-training — fostering the practice of medicine, championing patient care, and strengthening the communities they serve.
ArMA is the strongest advocate, ally, and resource for Arizona’s physicians and physicians-in-training. Together, they are fostering the practice of medicine, championing patient care, and strengthening the communities they serve [citation:1][citation:9]. The association is physician-led and patient-focused, serving every member of Arizona's physician community — across all specialties, all corners of the state, and all stages of their careers [citation:1].
The Arizona Medical Association’s roots date back to 1892, when Dr. Joshua Miller and four colleagues sent a letter to all Arizona physicians calling for the organization of a Territorial Medical Society. Dr. Miller was elected the first president of what would become the Arizona Medical Association [citation:5][citation:9]. Over the last 130+ years, ArMA has established itself as the leading advocate for Arizona physicians and physicians-in-training [citation:1].
ArMA is the leading voice for the physician community at the Arizona State Capitol and beyond. The association meets with dozens of legislators, tracks hundreds of bills, and spends thousands of hours advocating for the physician community [citation:8].
Recent advocacy efforts include House Bill 2194 (prior authorization reform requiring insurers to provide a point of contact and comprehensive explanation with denials), opposing naturopathic IV antibiotic expansion, and negotiating licensed midwife legislation [citation:4]. ArMA also successfully advocated for legislation prohibiting AI as a final sign-off on claim denials, and for SB1395 which reduces the licensure timeline for international medical graduates in residency programs from 36 months to 12 months [citation:12].
ArMA provides world-class continuing medical education programming to physicians in every stage of their careers [citation:2]. Available programs include:
Physician Leadership Course — An 11-week, CME-accredited, self-paced course offered in conjunction with the Washington State Medical Association. Cost: $2,900 ($2,350 for ArMA members) [citation:2].
DEA Course: Controlled Substance Prescribing and Substance Use Disorders — 8 hours of training required by the DEA MATE Act. Cost: $299 ($199 for ArMA members). Registration open until May 30, 2026 [citation:2].
ArMA's 2026 Annual Meeting, themed The Future of Medicine, will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Creighton University Health Sciences Campus in Midtown Phoenix [citation:7][citation:11]. The full-day program includes education sessions on AI in Healthcare, a keynote address from AMA President Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, a Poster Symposium showcasing research from the next generation of physicians, policy discussions, and a Presidential Address from Dr. James Nachbar, ArMA's 135th President [citation:3][citation:7]. Registration is open to members and non-members [citation:7].
Website: For membership, advocacy, education, or general inquiries, visit azmed.org.