2025 Alumna of the Year: Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs
Christine Bracamonte Wiggs, PhD ’16, MPH ’01, MS ’10, received the University of Arizona’s 2025 Alumna of the Year Award from the Zuckerman College of Public Health for her outstanding contributions to public health, emergency preparedness, and health equity.
The Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health is proud to recognize Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs as the 2025 Alumna of the Year. A proud Wildcat, Dr. Wiggs earned her Master of Public Health from our college in 2001, a Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences in 2010 and a Ph.D. in Family and Consumer Sciences in 2016. Today, she stands as an extraordinary leader whose career exemplifies the values of public health: collaboration, compassion, and community impact.
Dr. Wiggs currently serves as Vice President for Community and Health Advancement at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and President of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement (AZ Blue Foundation). In these roles, she leads corporate social responsibility, philanthropic investment, and statewide health initiatives. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in healthcare and public health, she spearheads strategies that improve health and strengthen communities across Arizona.
Her journey in public health began right here at the University of Arizona, where she led community-based applied research and evaluation projects serving vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, people living with HIV/AIDS, and youth facing substance use challenges. She later advanced to senior leadership roles at Aetna Medicaid, where she directed national strategies addressing health and the social determinants of health.
Since joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona in 2018, Dr. Wiggs has expanded her impact by championing programs such as Mobilize AZ, which address urgent health challenges while building sustainable, long-term solutions in partnership with communities. Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was especially notable, as she played a pivotal role in launching Arizona’s first 24/7 drive-through vaccination site at State Farm Stadium.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Wiggs is a dedicated community leader, serving on multiple boards including the Phoenix Indian Center, GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix, and the University of Arizona’s College of Public Health Community Advisory Board. Her leadership has earned wide recognition, including being named one of AZ Big Media’s Most Influential Women of 2023 and a 2025 Phoenix TITAN 100 leader of industry.
Dr. Wiggs’ passion for public health is both professional and deeply personal. Inspired by her parents’ work as a nurse practitioner and midwife, she discovered early on the power of improving health not just for individuals but for entire communities. Her work today continues that legacy, building healthier futures for Arizonans through collaboration, innovation, and care.
We are honored to celebrate Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs as our Alumni of the Year, recognizing her as a role model for our students, a trusted partner to our college, and a true embodiment of public health in action.