PHX Reporter

Banner Health is strengthening its academic medicine leadership team by appointing new leaders. Benjamin Schwartz, MD MHCM, has been named the president of academic delivery for Banner Health. He will oversee the academic medical centers in Phoenix and Tucson and lead the partnership with the University of Arizona. Richard Orlandi, MD, MBA, has been promoted to CEO of Banner – University Medical Group, effective March 1. Venkata Evani, MD, who served as CEO and interim president of academic delivery, will retire after ensuring a smooth transition.

Amy Perry, president and CEO of Banner Health stated: “During his 29-year career, Dr. Schwartz has expanded his influence as a practicing physician, administrator and leader...We are thrilled to have him join us to lead this important work at Banner as we enter our tenth year of partnership with the University of Arizona.”

Schwartz previously worked as an external advisor for McKinsey & Company in New York and held various roles at Corewell Health East in Michigan and Northwell Health in New York. His educational background includes a medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and a Master of Healthcare Management from Harvard University.

Richard Orlandi joined Banner Health in August 2024 as chief physician executive for Banner – University Medical Group in Tucson. Before joining Banner, he spent 24 years at University of Utah Health. Amy Perry remarked on Orlandi’s contribution: “During his short time at Banner, Dr. Orlandi has built strong relationships with physicians and leadership at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson.”

Banner Health is one of the largest nonprofit healthcare systems in the United States. It operates multiple hospitals and an academic medicine division known as Banner – University Medicine among other services.