National Preparedness Month – Make a Plan
As 2020 has shown, emergencies and disasters can strike when we least expect. Recent local, national, and international events illustrate the need to be prepared for both known and unexpected threats. In an effort to better prepare individuals, families, and communities, state and federal governments have designated September as […]
Positive News for AZ Counties in the Moderate Transmission Level, Moving into Next Phase of Safely Reopening
Today’s Business Dashboard update has positive news that extends beyond the state’s most-populous counties — Maricopa and Pima — moving to the next phase of safely resuming certain business operations with enhanced mitigation measures. As of today, a total of 8 counties, Apache, Cochise, […]
Public Health Continues to Expand Access to Testing for All Arizonans
Over the last several months, ADHS has worked with partners in local public health, healthcare, and community organizations to expand access to community-based COVID-19 testing across the state so that anyone who needs or wants a test can get one. We are currently evaluating existing testing locations and their coverage […]
Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal Counties Likely to Meet Moderate Benchmarks for Businesses to Reopen this Thursday
Over the last few months, Arizonans have worked together to help slow the spread of COVID-19. From wearing masks, physically distancing, and limiting congregating — their efforts have been a success and a model for the country.
This responsible approach has resulted in three of our major […]
Updates to Hospital Bed Usage Dashboard
Today we made an update to the Hospital Bed Usage and Availability section of our Data Dashboard to provide more information about how COVID-19 is impacting hospital bed usage in Arizona’s intensive care and inpatient units. Previously, the data we presented provided a picture of […]
New Method for Determining Inpatient and ICU Bed Availability Launched Today
Throughout the COVID-19 response, ADHS has partnered with hospitals to ensure Arizona’s healthcare preparedness to address a surge in COVID-19 cases. Early in the outbreak, Governor Ducey issued executive orders to support healthcare surge capacity, including issuance of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected order, which provided hospitals time […]
Cara M. Christ, M.D., M.S. became Director for the Arizona Department of Health Services in May 2015. Dr. Christ has served the agency for more than nine years. Among her many accomplishments at ADHS, Dr. Christ collaborated with health partners and stakeholders to develop strategic plans for infectious disease prevention and control including the Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. She was involved in leading statewide efforts during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, and worked with partners to find solutions to improve childhood vaccination programs. In 2012, Dr. Christ managed the development and implementation of 20 Articles of Arizona Administrative Code for Health Care Institutions allowing integration of physical and behavioral health services statewide. Dr. Christ obtained her master's degree in microbiology with an emphasis in molecular virology and public health. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Follow the Director on Twitter @DrCaraChrist.
