Phoenix, June 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PHOENIX (June 5, 2026) – Banner Health, one of the nation’s largest fully integrated nonprofit health systems, today announced the appointment of Dr. John Rares Almasan as senior vice president, chief artificial intelligence, data and infrastructure officer. In this newly created role, effective June 1, Dr. Almasan will lead Banner’s efforts to use artificial intelligence and technology to make health care simpler, faster and more accessible for patients and care teams.
Dr. Almasan will coordinate Banner’s technology foundation, data systems and AI capabilities to improve patient care, streamline operations and support innovation. Working closely with digital, engineering and business leaders across the organization, he will build a secure, intelligent technology system that continues to put patients first.
“Banner Health is proving that exceptional care and affordability can coexist, and technology is a key part of that equation. I’m thrilled to join a mission-driven organization that’s thinking boldly about how AI can make health care easier for patients and care teams alike,” said Dr. Almasan. “Together, we’ll build intelligent systems that remove barriers, accelerate breakthroughs, and keep Banner at the forefront of health care innovation, all while keeping patient safety as our uncompromising priority.”
Dr. Almasan brings more than 20 years of AI and technology leadership experience from globally recognized organizations. He joins Banner from TIAA, a financial services organization, where he most recently served as senior managing director and global head of AI and emerging technology. Before that, he led AI and cloud initiatives at McKinsey & Company and held senior technology roles at Nationwide Insurance, American Express and Bank of America. Dr. Almasan holds a doctorate degree in business administration, graduate degrees in engineering and public administration and executive education from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Pennsylvania. He’s also a published author, patent inventor, and adjunct professor at Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University.
Banner Health is investing more than $1 billion in AI, robotics, telemedicine and cloud-based technology to transform how care is delivered and help both patients and health care workers. In addition to supporting research and innovation efforts, AI helps Banner teams care for more patients efficiently by reducing paperwork, allowing faster treatment access while doctors and nurses focus on patient care. Banner’s AI program prioritizes safety through rigorous reviews by ethicists and clinical leaders, annual audits, and partnerships with companies like Anthropic that are committed to building safer AI systems.
About Banner Health
As one of the nation’s largest fully integrated nonprofit health systems, we are pioneering a sustainable care model that prioritizes prevention, manages chronic disease, and reduces health spending – succeeding when patients stay healthy, not when they get sick. We operate 33 hospitals and more than 400 sites across six states, delivering seamless care from primary to quaternary medicine, including health insurance, physician networks, world-renowned specialty services, and behavioral health. Accountable to the communities we serve, we reinvest every dollar into advancing care, research, and facilities, providing more than $1 billion each year in community benefit. Through our partnership with the University of Arizona, we drive clinical discoveries across more than 800 trials and train more than 1,300 residents and fellows annually. Headquartered in Arizona, we serve Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming. Our hospitals are consistently ranked among Arizona’s top-performing by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/about.