People Behind the Purpose
Recognizing providers who bring skill, compassion, and innovation to our patients every day…
JODI P. CARTER, MD
EVP & Chief Medical Officer (Interim)
Dr. Jodi Carter began college with plans to become a journalist, drawn to the stories that connect people. But while reporting on families at a hospital, she discovered she wanted to do more than tell their stories. She wanted to be part of them. “It turns out I was supposed to be a doctor so I could be invited into people’s lives at integral, critical times, every day,” she says.
That human connection shapes Dr. Carter’s approach to medicine and leadership today. Since joining Valleywise Health in 2021, she has cared for children and families while leading efforts to improve quality, strengthen physician engagement and advance clinical care. Now, as Interim Chief Medical Officer, she brings more than 20 years of experience and a collaborative approach to improving care across the health system.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be welcomed into crucial moments in people’s lives,” she says.
ARPANA JAIN, MD, MBA FACS, FABA
Burn Surgeon, Director of Laser Program and Ambulatory Care
Dr. Arpana Jain was drawn to burn care by the extraordinary resilience of burn survivors. “They are some of the bravest people on the planet,” she says. For nearly a decade at Valleywise Health, that admiration has fueled her commitment to helping patients not only survive devastating injuries, but heal, regain function and move forward with their lives.
At the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center, Dr. Jain has helped expand outpatient scar care and build a laser treatment program designed to improve recovery long after a patient leaves the hospital. Most recently, that includes the advanced HELIX laser, which can treat deeper scar tissue to help soften scars and improve function. For Dr. Jain, the people around her are just as remarkable as the innovation.
“The team is phenomenal,” she says. “Everybody is extremely passionate and very talented. You don’t get that everywhere.”
WENDY WATSON, MD, MPH, DFAACAP
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Training Program
For Dr. Wendy Watson, Valleywise Health has always felt a little like home. Her parents met while working at what was then Maricopa County General Hospital, and years later, Dr. Watson completed her child psychiatry training at Valleywise Health. Today, she leads that same program, training future child psychiatrists and helping expand access to mental health care for children and teens across the Valley.
She also finds purpose in connecting with the community and helping families understand where to turn for support. “People are desperate for good information about mental health and a little guidance about where to go for help,” she says. That commitment extends to efforts like Swim for the Light, which raises awareness and support for behavioral health programs at Valleywise Health.
ALEXZANDRA HOLLINGWORTH, MD, MED, FACS, D.ABA
Trauma Surgeon, Chief of Staff and Vice Chair of Surgery
Where others may see chaos, Dr. Alexzandra Hollingworth sees a team ready to act. As a trauma surgeon and neurocritical care specialist, she cares for some of the most critically injured patients at Valleywise Health, where every second and every detail can make a difference.
“A lot of people look at trauma and they see chaos, but for us, it’s very organized,” she says. “This is where I can thrive.”
Since joining Valleywise Health in 2017, Dr. Hollingworth has found purpose in caring for patients at the moments they need her most. She credits a deeply connected team and shared commitment to patient safety and quality for making that possible. “I’ve worked all over, but at Valleywise, I get to take care of patients that need me the most.”
CHARLES MCKENZIE, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Charles McKenzie believes everyone deserves access to compassionate, high-quality care. After witnessing firsthand the exceptional care his son received at the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center following a severe burn injury, he felt called to give back to the organization that helped his family through one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Today, Dr. McKenzie combines his passion for helping others with his expertise in dentistry to improve the recovery experience for burn survivors. Drawing on his experience as both a dentist and the father of a burn survivor, he has developed innovative tools that help patients maintain their oral health and independence throughout recovery.
“Something like an electric toothbrush sounds so simple, but it can make a world of difference in a burn survivor’s life,” Dr. McKenzie says. “This act of generosity and kindness helps protect a patient’s health while making the long road to recovery a little easier.”
