PHOENIX (March 7, 2025) — Banner Health is expanding the leadership team in its academic delivery services, Banner – University Medicine. Benjamin Schwartz, MD MHCM, is the new president of academic delivery for Banner Health. Schwartz will oversee Banner’s academic medical centers in Phoenix and Tucson and lead its academic medicine partnership with the University of Arizona. Richard Orlandi, MD, MBA, has been promoted to chief executive officer of Banner – University Medical Group, effective March 1. Venkata Evani, MD, who has elevated this academic partnership over the last several years as CEO of Banner – University Medical Group and interim president of academic delivery, will retire this year after ensuring a smooth transition of leadership.
Benjamin Schwartz
“During his 29-year career, Dr. Schwartz has expanded his influence as a practicing physician, administrator and leader,” said Amy Perry, president and chief executive officer of Banner Health. “He is deeply committed to the mission of academic medicine. 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 most recently served as an external advisor for McKinsey & Company in New York, as president of Corewell Health East in Michigan, and as senior vice president and physician executive for the eastern region of Northwell Health in New York. He has held several academic appointments as a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and as an oral examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Schwartz earned his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and a Master of Healthcare Management from Harvard University. He is board-certified in gynecologic oncology and obstetrics and gynecology, having completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, a fellowship in oncology at the Cleveland Clinic, as well as a Galloway Fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
In addition to being a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Schwartz was recognized as a top doctor in gynecologic oncology by New York Magazine for six consecutive years.
Richard Orlandi
Dr. Orlandi joined Banner Health in August 2024 as chief physician executive for Banner – University Medical Group in Tucson. Prior to Banner, Orlandi spent 24 years at University of Utah Health, including his last seven as associate chief medical officer.
Orlandi earned his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine, completed residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA), and a fellowship in rhinology and skull base surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He also earned a Master of Business Administration at University of Utah.
“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,” said Perry. “I’m thrilled to have him continue his journey at Banner in this elevated leadership role. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Evani for his exemplary leadership and decades of clinical care to the Phoenix community as an outstanding surgeon,” said Perry.
Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 33 hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits and patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and can book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.
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