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AZ REACH Recognized Through National Public Health Honor

Today
Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Villarroel - Recipient of the 2026 AAFP Public Health Award!

The Arizona REACH program has been recognized on the national stage through a prestigious honor awarded to one of its founding champions.

Dr. Lisa Villarroel, Chief Medical Officer for Public Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Public Health Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the health of the American public.

In announcing the award, the AAFP specifically highlighted Dr. Villarroel's leadership in several statewide initiatives, including AZ REACH, noting that these efforts have improved coordination, access to care, education, and public health infrastructure across Arizona while serving as models for other states and federal programs.

For Dr. Villarroel, however, the recognition reflects something larger than any individual accomplishment.

“AZ REACH has been instrumental in this recognition,” she wrote to the REACH team. “The opportunity to work with each of you has been one of the most rewarding and impactful parts of my career.”  

Since its launch, AZ REACH has connected rural hospitals and clinicians with specialist expertise, helping patients receive timely, high-quality care closer to home. The program's success has been built through collaboration among healthcare providers, public health leaders, academic partners, and rural communities across Arizona.

Dr. Villarroel's recognition underscores the far-reaching impact of that partnership. It is a testament to the physicians, nurses, specialists, hospital leaders, care teams, and community partners who have worked together to expand access to care for rural and underserved populations throughout the state.

As AZ REACH continues to grow, this national recognition serves as a reminder that innovative solutions developed in Arizona are helping shape the future of rural healthcare across the country.

Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Villarroel on this well-deserved honor, and thank you for your leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to improving health for all Arizonans.