Colleen K. Cagno, MD, FAAFP

Degrees: 
BS: The George Washington University, Biology (minor in Women's Studies), 1996
MD: The George Washington University, 2000
Residency: 
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, Family Medicine, 2003
Fellowship: 
College of Medicine – Tucson, Faculty Development, 2003
National Institute for Program Director Development, 2012
Interests: 
  • Clinical practice/education
  • Health disparities
  • Health promotion/prevention
  • Quality/performance improvement
Academic / Professional Bio: 

Dr. Cagno is a Professor of Family Medicine with a distinguished career in academic medicine. As an award-winning family physician, Dr. Cagno has held several leadership positions, including serving as a Residency Program Director, Associate Head of Clinical Affairs, and Director for Pathways (social-behavioral sciences) curriculum and Transitions to Clerkship course.

Notably, her contributions extend beyond her institutional roles. Dr. Cagno played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of family medicine education at a national level. Serving on the Family Medicine (FM) Review Committee at the ACGME for a 7-year term, including 3 years as Vice-Chair she co-authored the 2023 Family Medicine Program Requirements. Currently, she serves as an ACGME representative on the AIRE Committee, driving innovation in FM residency training through a joint initiative between the ACGME and the ABFM.

Dr. Cagno comes from a family of educators and is passionate mentorship and the transformative power of education. At the University of Arizona College of Medicine, she directs the Doctor and Patient course and Societies program, a longitudinal learning community fostering a dynamic learning community where medical students cultivate their clinical skills and professional identities under longitudinal faculty mentorship.

Dr. Cagno’s clinical expertise is in caring for pregnant people and newborns, where she emphasizes patient education and partnerships. Over a decade, she founded and then led her department's Maternal Child Health Service, ensuring high standards of care. She continues caring for pregnant patients and newborns in the hospital together with resident physicians. Additionally, Dr. Cagno cares for patients and supervises procedure clinics, particularly gynecologic clinics and newborn procedures in the Family Medicine Center outpatient clinic.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Cagno is an experienced clinical researcher with funded projects investigating implicit bias among physicians and an interest in creativity in medical education and assessment. She has given numerous presentations at a national level, driving conversations on innovations in medical training, and has published in several major medical education journals.

Dr. Cagno is the recipient of numerous awards and honors over the years. You can view the full list of her honors and awards here.

Honors and Awards: 
AZ Top Docs - 2021, 2022, 2023
Outstanding Achievement in Teaching by a Block, Year 2, (awarded via selection by student body) Annual Faculty Teaching Awards, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson - 2022
College of Medicine Faculty Mentoring Award, University of Arizona - 2021
Certificate of Recognition, from UA COM-T Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - 2020
The University of Arizona Annual Service Award 20 Year Award - 2020
Degree of Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) - 2019
Academy of Medical Education Scholars, UA COM-T Degree of Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) - 2019
To view all awards and honors, please see the link in Dr. Cagno's Professional Bio section.
Board Certifications: 
American Board of Family Practice - Major Field: Family Medicine