Theresa Costales, M.D. became the Chief Medical Officer for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) in January 2025 after serving as Arizona Medical Director for Connections Health Solutions, overseeing clinical operations at the Urgent Psychiatric Center in Phoenix and the Crisis Response Center in Tucson, for several years prior. She is recognized as a health care leader in the State of Arizona, with extensive experience working with individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), in both direct care and administrative leadership roles, and has partnered with a number of key stakeholders to address systemic gaps and improve outcomes for patients involved in the civil commitment process.
Dr. Costales graduated from Canisius College with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and earned her Medical Doctorate from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She completed the Psychiatry Residency Program at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and is Board Certified in Psychiatry.

Theresa Costales, M.D.
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