Phoenix Children’s has announced an expansion of its leadership team for the Center for Heart Care, aiming to further improve its cardiac care services. The center is recognized nationally and holds a ranking from U.S. News and World Report as a leading pediatric facility for cardiology and heart surgery.
The organization cited ongoing growth in both scale and clinical complexity as reasons for strengthening its leadership structure. This move is intended to enhance collaboration among subspecialties and streamline operations within the center.
“This multidisciplinary leadership model is designed to deepen clinical integration and elevate the experience for patients and families,” said Jason Fraser, MD, Interim Surgeon in Chief at Phoenix Children’s. “By bringing together leaders from the Center for Heart Care’s core subspecialties, we strengthen collaboration and continue advancing exceptional outcomes.”
Four physicians have been appointed as co-directors under the new structure:
– Jeff Hanson, MD, will serve as Director of Cardiac Anesthesia. Dr. Hanson specializes in perioperative care for children with complex heart conditions and supports high-risk surgeries as well as advanced interventions. He also trains fellows, residents, and junior faculty.
– Josh Koch, MD, will act as Division Chief of Cardiac Critical Care Medicine and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Koch manages complex cases in intensive care units with research focused on neurological outcomes for critically ill infants and children.
– Andrew Papez, MD, will be Division Chief of Cardiology. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Papez focuses on electrical abnormalities of the heart and is double board-certified in pediatric cardiology and adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Phoenix Children’s is currently Arizona’s only hospital accredited as an ACHD Comprehensive Care Center by the Adult Congenital Heart Association.
– Daniel Velez, MD, will lead as Division Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery & Surgical Director of Heart Transplantation. Dr. Velez has more than two decades’ experience performing complex surgeries; he led a team that operated on the youngest patient worldwide to receive a total artificial heart.
The collaborative leadership model aims to create shared governance across specialties while aligning operations with Phoenix Children’s Medical Group. The approach seeks to boost clinical coordination, administrative support, and strategic planning.
Phoenix Children’s Foundation recruits top physicians and researchers according to its official website. The foundation also conducts community health needs assessments to guide improvement programs (source). Its campuses include locations such as Arrowhead in Glendale and Avondale (source), while it operates more than 70 sites across Arizona (source). The foundation regularly receives national recognition among top children’s hospitals (source) and partners with Dignity Health to expand access to pediatric care (source).
With this expanded leadership team, Phoenix Children’s aims to maintain excellence in diagnosis, treatment, and innovation across all pediatric heart conditions.
