Inside a Decade of Collaboration Between Banner Health and University of Arizona

This episode of the Becker's Healthcare Podcast features Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, President of Academic Delivery at Banner Health, and Dr. Patricia Prelok, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at the University of Arizona, reflecting on their transformative 10-year partnership. The collaboration, forged in 2016, has created one of the most integrated academic health systems in the U.S., combining the University of Arizona’s research and educational excellence with Banner Health’s clinical scale and delivery infrastructure. Together, they now train over 1,300 residents and fellows across 80 programs, educate thousands of medical and allied health students, and deliver world-class care across urban and rural Arizona. Key achievements include nationally recognized programs in cancer care, fetal surgery, artificial heart transplants, and sports medicine, all powered by shared governance, trust, and a culture of continuous improvement. The leaders emphasize that success stems from long-term vision, transparent communication, aligned incentives, and a shared 'we' mentality that transcends organizational silos. The conversation also highlights the strategic benefits of integration, including financial sustainability through reduced redundancy, accelerated research translation from bench to bedside, and enhanced recruitment of top-tier physician-scientists and clinicians. Both leaders stress that cultural alignment and mutual respect—rooted in a shared mission to be not just the best in Arizona but nationally and globally competitive—are foundational. As healthcare evolves rapidly, they advocate for partnerships grounded in trust, shared purpose, and a commitment to innovation. Their advice to other health systems is clear: prioritize long-term alignment over short-term gains, invest in culture and communication, and embrace the 'we' mindset to unlock transformative outcomes.