Phoenix Children's Appoints Four New Division Chiefs to Lead Key Specialties

PHOENIX, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Children's has promoted four division chiefs from within the health system to lead vital areas including pediatric intensive care, cardiovascular intensive care, nephrology and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Sandra Buttram, MD, Kevin Hummel, MD, Karen Papez, MD, and Ray Stanford, DO, will each be tasked with growing their divisions, enhancing the services their teams provide and ensuring patient families receive consistent, top-quality care at every site of service.

"One of the things that makes Phoenix Children's special is the depth of talent within our organization," said Ashish S. Patel, MD, physician in chief. "Sandra, Kevin, Karen and Ray have dedicated years to advancing care, mentoring teams and strengthening their divisions. Their promotions reflect their strong leadership, clinical excellence and meaningful impact they are already making to shape the future of pediatric healthcare in Arizona."

These appointments reflect Phoenix Children's ongoing investment in leadership development and follow several recent physician leadership transitions across the organization.

Sandra Buttram, MD, Vice President, Chief of Pediatric Critical Care
Dr. Buttram has been an attending physician at Phoenix Children's for 15 years and was promoted to lead the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Critical Care. Dedicated to finding ways to improve the care and survival of critically ill children, Dr. Buttram serves as primary investigator for numerous research studies related to acute brain injury and other critical conditions. 

Board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in pediatric critical care medicine, Dr. Buttram is a diplomat in neurocritical care with the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties. She is the current chair of the Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group, and a member of the Neurocritical Care Society and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Buttram is also a clinical associate professor of child health at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix.

Dr. Buttram earned her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and completed her residency training in pediatrics, served as chief resident in pediatrics and trained as a fellow in pediatric critical care medicine at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Kevin Hummel, MD, Vice President, Chief of Cardiovascular Intensive Care
Dr. Hummel has been part of the health system since 2024, and was promoted to serve as division chief for Cardiovascular Intensive Care, one of the largest units for pediatric cardiology and critical care in the Southwest region. In this role, he leads a multidisciplinary team that provides around-the-clock care for children recovering from heart surgery and receiving treatment for complex congenital and acquired heart conditions.

A recognized leader in pediatric cardiac critical care and quality improvement, Dr. Hummel has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for children with congenital heart disease and strengthening health system quality. His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals including NEJM Catalyst, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, and the Journal of Pediatrics. He sits on leadership committees for societies across pediatric critical care, cardiology and pediatric value-based care and is a board member for the Ronald McDonald House of Central and Northern Arizona.

After earning his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Dr. Hummel completed his pediatric residency at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and fellowships in pediatric critical care medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, and pediatric cardiology at Boston Children's Hospital.

Karen Papez, MD, Vice President, Chief of Nephrology
Dr. Papez has been on staff at Phoenix Children's since 2007 and has been involved in the care of pediatric transplant patients since 2003. She has been promoted to division chief of Nephrology, having served as director of pediatric critical care nephrology for the past 11 years. In her new role, Dr. Papez will oversee Phoenix Children's pediatric nephrology division, including Arizona's only dedicated pediatric dialysis center along with the state's only dedicated pediatric kidney transplant program.

Under Dr. Papez's leadership, the health system's acute care nephrology and continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) program has expanded its clinical capabilities, strengthened multidisciplinary partnerships and enhanced support for critically ill patients. She has focused her career on creating a seamless continuum of care for children with complex kidney disease, guiding patients and families from prenatal consultation and neonatal care through dialysis and transplantation.

In addition to her clinical leadership, Dr. Papez serves as utilization medical director for Phoenix Children's and is co-chair of the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology's Acute Care Nephrology Interest Group, helping advance education and best practices in pediatric kidney care nationwide. Dr. Papez earned her medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno. She completed her residency program here at Phoenix Children's and Maricopa Medical Center, where she served as chief resident, and her fellowship training at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

Ray Stanford, DO, Vice President, Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Dr. Stanford has been named division chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In this role, Dr. Stanford leads the division's work to help children maximize function, mobility and independence following injury, illness and complex neurological conditions. He also supports clinical, academic and programmatic initiatives for The Frances H. McClelland Rehabilitation Program, encompassing both outpatient care and Arizona's only acute inpatient rehabilitation facility and comprehensive center made exclusively for children.

Since joining Phoenix Children's in 2021, Dr. Stanford has served as medical director of the CARF-accredited inpatient rehabilitation unit and co-director of the Cerebral Palsy Program. His published research focuses on pediatric rehabilitation, cancer rehabilitation and spasticity management.

As division chief, Dr. Stanford will focus on expanding access to rehabilitation services, strengthening the division's presence in multidisciplinary clinics and advancing coordinated care for children with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions. After earning his medical degree from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, Dr. Stanford completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at New York University and his pediatric rehabilitation medicine fellowship at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University.

These appointments come at a pivotal time as Phoenix Children's continues to expand its clinical programs and leadership to serve Arizona's growing pediatric population and improve the health of a generation. Recent milestones include the internal promotion of Dr. Joshua Koch to Senior Vice President, Hospital Based In Chief, as well as the appointment of a new Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Executive.

About Phoenix Children's 
Phoenix Children's is one of the nation's largest pediatric health systems. It comprises Phoenix Children's Hospital – Thomas Campus, Phoenix Children's Hospital – Arrowhead Campus, Phoenix Children's Hospital – East Valley, Phoenix Children's – Avondale Campus, four pediatric specialty and urgent care centers, 12 community pediatric practices, 20 outpatient clinics, two ambulatory surgery centers and seven community-service outpatient clinics throughout the state of Arizona. The system provides world-class inpatient, outpatient, trauma, emergency and urgent care and has been serving children and families for more than 40 years. Phoenix Children's Care Network includes more than 1,405 pediatric primary care providers and specialists who deliver care across more than 75 subspecialties. Alongside our colleagues, collaborators and communities, we're elevating pediatric care, education and innovation, so we can all grow healthier together. For more information, visit phoenixchildrens.org. 

SOURCE Phoenix Children's