The
history of Arizona's physicians is rich in mystery,
controversy, innovation and pride. Since the
settlers first inhabited the territory, physicians
have been a part of Arizona's legacy. They helped
shape the culture of this Great State and set
the standard for the quality of care delivered
to its citizens. The Physicians of Interest
page on this website highlights the historical
work of Arizona's physicians and the roles they
played while shaping the State's future. The
biography of a new physician will be added each
month and in time, the page will represent a
patchwork of the names and faces that brought
medicine in Arizona to life.
Wally Reed, M.D.
Considered to be the pioneer in innovative and low cost health care, Wally Reed, M.D. set the standard for many of today's freestanding ambulatory care surgical centers. In February 1970, Dr. Reed and John L. Ford, M.D., both privately practicing anesthesiologists, opened the first freestanding surgical facility of its type in the nation. They named it "Surgicenter" and within the first two years of its opening, it was staffed by over 225 surgeons and anesthesiologists and handled 400 elective surgical cases a month.
In 1985, Dr. Reed stated, "We wanted to change the health care system from within�to lower costs while delivering quality intermediate level surgical care�to recognize our patients as deserving of courtesy, respect and individual attention�to create a friendly if not loving environment within which to work."
Dr. Reed's accomplishments were recognized throughout the years. In 1972, he won the Gerard B. Lambert Merit Award on Innovative Ideas That Improve Patient Care/Or Reduce Costs. In 1982, he gained statutory leverage as a new law was passed to recognize outpatient facilities, such as Surgicenter, as authorized providers of care to Medicare beneficiaries. Then, in 1984, he received the State Health Planning Advisory Council and the Statewide Health Coordinating Council Distinguished Actions in Health award.
In an article written by Dr. Reed in September 2000, he stated, "When John L. Ford, M.D. and I opened the doors of the first multispecialty ambulatory surgery center in 1970, we were formidable competitors for our local hospitals. But today, I think the future lies in cooperation rather than competition. The market is changing, and centers that work with hospitals will be the ones that work well."
Dr. Reed is a founder and member of the Arizona Society of Anesthesiologists; President in 1964 of the Maricopa County Medical Society and member of the Board of Directors for 19 years; member of the Maricopa County Society of Anesthesiologists; and founder and president in 1974-1976 of the Society for the Advancement of Freestanding Ambulatory Surgical Care.
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