Dr. Eric G. Cornidez Continues Commitment to Southern Arizona as a 2026 AZ Top Doc
AZ Top Docs has reviewed and approved Eric G. Cornidez, MD, MBA of the Pain Institute of Southern Arizona for 2026. For Dr. Cornidez, practicing medicine has always been about more than treating patients. A Tucson native with deep ties to the Southern Arizona community, he has built his career around the belief that healthcare is ultimately about people, relationships, and the difference a physician can make in the lives of those around him.
As Chief Medical Officer of the Pain Institute of Southern Arizona, Dr. Cornidez brings both clinical expertise and a strong sense of responsibility to his role. His connection to the community began long before his medical career. Born and raised on Tucson’s south side and a graduate of Sunnyside High School, Dr. Cornidez went on to attend Stanford Medical School on scholarship. Despite having opportunities to build his career elsewhere, he ultimately chose to return home, bringing his education and experience back to the community that shaped him.
That decision has helped shape the Pain Institute into what it is today. When Dr. Cornidez joined the practice in 2012, it was a small operation with just 12 employees. More than a decade later, the organization has expanded to seven locations, two surgery centers, an in-house laboratory, and a team of 165 staff members, including 22 healthcare providers.
Yet for Dr. Cornidez, growth has never been simply about becoming bigger. It has been about creating an organization where patients feel cared for and employees feel valued. His leadership is grounded in the idea that strong relationships are essential to building a meaningful healthcare experience.
That philosophy is reflected in the Pain Institute’s mission: “Through compassion and innovation, we will make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and in communities.”
For Dr. Cornidez, that mission comes to life through the everyday interactions that patients have with the practice. He views every encounter as a “touch point,” recognizing that a patient’s experience is shaped not only by the medical care they receive, but also by how they are welcomed, heard, and treated throughout their visit.
This people-first approach has also become an important part of the Pain Institute’s culture. As the organization has grown, its emphasis on teamwork, humility, and service has remained central to its identity. The practice has even attracted interest from Phoenix-based clinics looking to align with the culture Dr. Cornidez and his team have developed.
His commitment to Southern Arizona extends well beyond the walls of the Pain Institute. The organization supports local causes, scholarships, and community events, while Dr. Cornidez continues to make time to connect with schools, students, and educators throughout the area, particularly in the neighborhoods that remind him of where his own journey began.
For Dr. Cornidez, returning to Tucson was never simply a career decision. It was an opportunity to invest in the community that helped shape him. Through medicine, leadership, mentorship, and service, he continues to demonstrate that building a successful healthcare organization and making a meaningful impact can go hand in hand.
To learn more about Dr. Cornidez, please click here.
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