Merima Bucaj, DO, MBA, FAAFP – Chair of Family and Community Medicine

After growing up in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Bucaj was brought to Phoenix by the U.S. Air Force as a refugee at the age of 11. She adapted quickly to her new environment, making Phoenix her home and remaining deeply dedicated to service in the communities that she belonged to and influenced her the most.

After completing her undergraduate degree at University of Arizona in Tucson and medical school in Phoenix, Dr. Bucaj joined to U.S. Air Force and completed her family medicine residency. While stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California, she was on faculty for the family medicine program. A combat veteran, Dr. Bucaj was deployed to Afghanistan where she provided medical care to military personnel, local families and children, and allied forces.

Before joining District Medical Group, Dr. Bucaj served as program director for the family medicine residency program and was chair of the department of family medicine at Abrazo Health. While serving in these leadership roles, she also completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) through an executive MBA program.

Dr. Bucaj is committed to actively supporting the health of the community and promoting preventive care. She believes primary care plays an integral role in helping overcome healthcare disparities and ensuring quality, comprehensive care for all. Dr. Bucaj supports the underserved in the Phoenix community through volunteer services and outreach at local high schools and middle schools. She has developed programs- from adolescent projects in family medicine residency clinics to screening colonoscopies- to deliver much needed medical care and education to underserved populations.

When not working, Dr. Bucaj loves hiking, traveling and spending time with her family, close friends, and her two dogs.