Arizona Telemedicine Council

Arizona Telemedicine Council Schedule

Upcoming Meeting Dates: April 15, July 22 & October 21, 2026
Meeting Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm Arizona (UTC -7)
Location: via webinar until further notice

The Arizona Telemedicine Council was created by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee of the Arizona State Legislature. The Council has oversight for the Arizona Telemedicine Program and the development of its telecommunications network. Senator Robert (“Bob”) Burns, who initiated the legislation that created the Arizona Telemedicine Program, became the first Co-chairman of the Council, which has met quarterly in Phoenix since 1996.

Arizona Telemedicine Council
April 15, 2026
Agenda

Call to Order & Welcome ~5-10 minutes
- Robert "Bob" Burns
  - Chair, Arizona Telemedicine Council
  - Co-founder, Arizona Telemedicine Program
  - Chair, Arizona Corporation Commission, Retired
  - President, Arizona State Senate, Retired
  - Elected Member BOD CAP, Retired
  - Member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Retired
- Joseph Finkelstein, MD, PhD, FAMIA, FACMI
  - Director, Arizona Telemedicine Program
  - Professor of Medicine
  - Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, College of Medicine Tucson
  - University of Arizona
AI applications in Telemedicine and Digital Health ~ 20 minutes
- Joseph Finkelstein, MD, PhD, FAMIA, FACMI
  - Director, Arizona Telemedicine Program
  - Professor of Medicine
  - Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, College of Medicine Tucson
  - University of Arizona
Future of Telehealth: State Regulations of AI in Mental Health ~ 20 minutes
- Tara Sklar, JD, MPH
  - Faculty Director, Health Law & Policy Program, James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona
  - Associate Director of Telehealth Law & Policy, Arizona Telemedicine Program, College of Medicine Tucson, University of Arizona
Potential Role of AI in Telerehabilitation ~20 minutes
- Aref Smiley, PhD
  - Associate Professor, Arizona Telemedicine Program
  - College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona
AI-Powered Health Kiosks: Bringing the Clinic to the Community ~ 20 minutes
- Srikar Adhikari, MD, MS, FACEP
  - Professor, Emergency Medicine
  - Section Chief, Emergency Ultrasound
  - Director, Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship
  - Vice Chair, Faculty Affairs
  - College of Medicine – Tucson, University of Arizona
Arizona Telemedicine Program and Southwest Telehealth Resource Center Updates ~ 20 minutes
- Melanie Esher, MAdm
  - Senior Program Coordinator, Education & Outreach
- Joseph Finkelstein, MD, PhD, FAMIA, FACMI
  - Director, Arizona Telemedicine Program, College of Medicine - Tucson, University of Arizona
New Business
Adjournment

Disability-related accommodations:
Please contact us regarding any questions about disability-related accommodations that will facilitate your full participation in this event such as ASL interpreting, captioned videos, Braille or electronic text, etc.

Council Members

Governmental

Former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Robert Burns
Former Representative Regina Cobb, DDS (District 5)
Representative Gail Griffin (District 14)
Senator John Kavanagh (District 23)

Agency Members

Amanda Aguirre, MA, RD, President & CEO, Regional Center for Border Health, Inc.
Robin K. Blitz, MD, Director, Development Pediatric At Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital
Mark Carroll, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Health Choice Arizona
Don Herrington, Interim Director, Arizona Department of Health Services
Will Humble, MPH, Executive Director, Arizona Public Health Association
Neal Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center

Educational Members

Tim Hunter, MD, University of Arizona, College of Medicine (retired)
Lori A. Kemper, DO, Dean, AZ College of Osteopathic Medicine Midwestern University

Public Members

Joel E. Barthelemy, President and CEO, GlobalMed
Sean Clendaniel, Manager, Market Integration
Bart Demaerschalk, MD, MSc, FRCP(C), Neurology, Mayo Clinic Hospital
Michael C. Keeling, Esq., Keeling Law Offices
Melissa Kotrys, CEO, Contexture (umbrella organization of CORHIO and Health Current)
Alan Pitt, MD, Neuroradiology, Barrow Neurological Institute
Brad Tritle, CIPP, Partner, Alira Health
Donna Zazworsky, RN, MS, CCM, FAAN, Chief Clinical Officer, Cenpatico Integrated Care (retired)

Ex-Officio Members – Guests

Bruce Groll, Arizona Department of Education (Retired)
Steve Sowards, Banner Health System

Slideshow of the Past 25 Years of the Arizona Telemedicine Council

The Arizona Telemedicine Council meets on a quarterly basis. These meetings are open to the public
If you would like to attend or would like more information, please contact us via our contact page.