Richard Martinez Amini, MD

Dr. Richard Amini, a Cuban-Iranian American born in Granada, Spain, is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. A nationally recognized leader in medical education, he has advanced point-of-care ultrasound training, served as Chair of the AAMC Western Group on Student Affairs, and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. His career is distinguished by a dedication to student wellness, resilience, and mentorship. Dr. Amini created the MedCats Thrive program and collaborates across UA to host retreats and programs that support medical student well-being and success. He has played central roles in LCME accreditation, curriculum innovation, and medical education scholarship, including founding a Cureus Academic Channel for medical education research. His contributions have been honored with awards for teaching excellence, graduate medical education, and student advising. Looking ahead, Dr. Amini is exploring the integration of artificial intelligence, AI agents, and efficiency tools to transform student support and curriculum delivery.