Dannah Raz, MD, MPH, division chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Phoenix Children’s, has been named to Modern Healthcare’s 40 Under 40 list for 2026. This annual national recognition highlights emerging leaders who are influencing the future of healthcare across clinical care, operations, policy, and research.
Modern Healthcare selects only 40 individuals nationwide each year for this honor. Dr. Raz joins other physicians and executives recognized for leadership and impact in their fields.
“Being recognized among so many inspiring leaders across the country is truly an honor,” said Dr. Raz. “This work is never done alone. Caring for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities requires deep collaboration across specialties and community partners. I’m grateful for the teams at Phoenix Children’s who share this commitment and make it possible to continually improve access, coordination and outcomes for the families we serve.”
Dr. Raz joined Phoenix Children’s in 2019 and leads the Division of Developmental Pediatrics at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s. Under her direction, the division achieved measurable improvements in early diagnosis and care access for young children with developmental needs.
Between 2023 and the end of 2024, wait times for autism evaluations in children aged four or younger were reduced by 20%, according to Phoenix Children’s Medical Group. The improvement resulted from team-based workflows, cross-division collaboration, and multidisciplinary care models.
Dr. Raz also helped establish one of Arizona’s few multidisciplinary Down syndrome clinics, initiated a national autism education summit supporting providers and families, and implemented care navigation services within developmental pediatrics to enhance post-diagnosis support.
“Dr. Raz’s dedication to improving access and care for children with developmental needs is making a real difference for families throughout our community,” said John R. Nickens IV, president and CEO of Phoenix Children’s. “We are incredibly proud of Dr. Raz and grateful for the expert care she and her team provide every day as they help shape the future of pediatric health care.”
In addition to her clinical role, Dr. Raz mentors upcoming pediatric professionals. She earned undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Arizona; completed residency at Phoenix Children’s; fellowship training at Children’s Hospital Colorado; and holds a Master of Public Health from University of Colorado School of Public Health.
Phoenix Children’s Foundation recruits leading physicians like Dr. Raz as part of its focus on advancing child health through research, medical education, comprehensive specialty services—including cardiology and oncology—and family-centered programs (https://phoenixchildrens.org). The foundation operates more than 70 locations statewide (https://phoenixchildrens.org), including campuses in Glendale (Arrowhead) and Avondale (https://phoenixchildrens.org), consistently earning national recognition as a top children’s hospital (https://phoenixchildrens.org).
Dr. Raz’s profile appears alongside all honorees in Modern Healthcare’s February issue and online at ModernHealthcare.com/40Under40.
