Speaker's Profile

Sara Salek, M.D. has been the Chief Medical Officer for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) since June 2014. In her current role, Dr. Salek directly oversees the Divisions of Health Care Services, Grants and Innovation, and Fee for Service (FFS) Management. She also serves as the State Mental Health Commissioner and the Single State Authority (SSA) for substance abuse programs in Arizona. Clinical initiatives currently underway include addressing the healthcare needs of American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) members, improving child and adolescent preventative care rates, and addressing the opioid epidemic.

Dr. Salek grew up in Tucson, AZ and graduated from The University of Arizona College of Medicine. She completed the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Training Program at Boston Children’s Hospital through Harvard Medical School.