PHOENIX [February 10, 2026] – Phoenix Children’s, one of the top-ranked pediatric health systems in the West, today announced that Dannah Raz, MD, MPH, division chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics, has been named to Modern Healthcare’s 40 Under 40 for 2026 — one of the healthcare industry’s most competitive and nationally recognized honors for rising leaders who are shaping the future of care.
Each year, Modern Healthcare selects just 40 individuals nationwide whose leadership, innovation and impact stand out across clinical care, operations, policy and research. Dr. Raz’s selection places her among an elite group of physicians and executives driving meaningful transformation across the healthcare landscape.
“Being recognized among so many inspiring leaders across the country is truly an honor,” said Dr. Raz. “This work is never done alone. Caring for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities requires deep collaboration across specialties and community partners. I’m grateful for the teams at Phoenix Children’s who share this commitment and make it possible to continually improve access, coordination and outcomes for the families we serve.”
A highly regarded developmental and behavioral pediatrician, Dr. Raz has been part of Phoenix Children’s since 2019 and currently leads the Division of Developmental Pediatrics at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s. Under her leadership, the division has delivered significant and measurable improvements in early diagnosis and access to care for young children with developmental needs.
These advances include a 20% reduction in wait times for autism evaluations for children ages four and younger between 2023 and the end of 2024, according to Phoenix Children’s Medical Group. This progress has been driven by team-based workflows, cross-division collaboration and multidisciplinary care models.
Dr. Raz has also played an instrumental role in establishing one of Arizona’s only multidisciplinary Down syndrome clinics, launching a national autism education summit to support providers and families, and implementing care navigation services within developmental pediatrics to reduce barriers and improve post-diagnosis support.
“Dr. Raz’s dedication to improving access and care for children with developmental needs is making a real difference for families throughout our community,” said Phoenix Children’s President and CEO John R. Nickens IV. “We are incredibly proud of Dr. Raz and grateful for the expert care she and her team provide every day as they help shape the future of pediatric health care.”
Beyond her clinical leadership, Dr. Raz is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of pediatric leaders. She earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Arizona, completed her pediatrics residency at Phoenix Children’s, and completed her fellowship training in developmental pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She also holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Colorado School of Public Health.
Dr. Raz’s full profile, along with profiles of all 40 honorees, appears in the February issue of Modern Healthcare and online at ModernHealthcare.com/40Under40.