The Founding Vision of Phoenix Unified Surgeons: Delivering Comprehensive Surgical Solutions

Our practice was founded in 2023 by Dr. Fox-McClary, Dr. Brizendine, and Dr. Cammarata with a clear vision: to provide comprehensive surgical care that extends well beyond the operating room. We are committed to delivering exceptional operative management while also guiding patients carefully through the preoperative and postoperative process. Surgery can feel overwhelming, and we strive to make scheduling, communication, and recovery as clear, transparent, and supportive as possible.

Our mission is to provide the highest quality surgical care in the region through coordinated teamwork. From our surgeons to our medical assistants, schedulers, and office staff, we work together to ensure a seamless experience. We aim not only to treat your surgical condition, but to help you move through it with confidence and return to health on the other side.

Surgery is often a major life event. The healthcare system can feel complex, expensive, and even frightening — yet necessary. We see ourselves as your ally throughout this journey. We prioritize open communication, partnership, and education so you feel informed and supported every step of the way. Our goal is to help you feel healthy, whole, and heard.

Each of our surgeons has specific areas of expertise, and we collaborate closely as a team. When you see one of us, you benefit from the collective experience of all of us. We regularly consult with one another in surgical planning, assist each other in the operating room when appropriate, and collaborate during recovery to ensure the best possible outcomes.

We focus intentionally on communication. Healthcare discussions can be complex, and we believe patients deserve clarity. We take time to ensure you understand your diagnosis, the recommended treatment plan, the necessity of surgery when indicated, potential risks, and what to expect during recovery. We believe informed patients feel more empowered and confident.

Our phones open at 9:00 AM each day, and our surgeons alternate between clinic days and operating room days. Much of the seamless experience our patients enjoy is made possible by our exceptional team — reception staff, medical assistants, and scheduling professionals — who coordinate care and keep communication flowing efficiently.

We genuinely care about every patient we serve. If we could remove the frustrating parts of healthcare, we would. While the broader system limits flexibility, we work hard to advocate for you and guide you through the process with compassion and clarity.

We built this practice from the ground up in 2023. Watching it grow into a thriving, compassionate, and patient-centered surgical group has been incredibly rewarding. We are deeply proud of what we have created together.

Expertise. Caring. Skill.

Trust begins with honest, open communication. We take time to ensure you understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and expectations for recovery. We believe transparency and partnership are the foundations of comfort and confidence in surgical care.

Yes. In 2010, Dr. Fox-McClary experienced a complicated pregnancy that required more than two months of inpatient hospitalization. Following that experience, she faced significant billing challenges and insurance denials. That journey profoundly shaped her understanding of the anxiety and fear patients feel — not only about surgery, but also about the financial and systemic complexities of healthcare. It strengthened her commitment to guiding patients compassionately through both the medical and administrative aspects of care.

Our group is committed to improving access to advanced surgical care in rural Arizona. Our surgeons rotate through remote facilities to provide preoperative care, operative services, and postoperative follow-up. For patients whose conditions require care in Phoenix, we ensure continuity between rural communities and urban surgical resources.

We are proud of the outcomes we achieve — from routine procedures to complex surgical cases that few community surgeons are willing to take on. Helping patients navigate difficult diagnoses and seeing them recover and regain quality of life continues to motivate us every day.

Our surgeons have published in a variety of academic settings. Dr. Gunsberger, in her role as Chair of Surgery and Anesthesia at Midwestern University’s Glendale campus, has an extensive academic publication record. Additional publications can be found by searching our surgeons’ names.

• Dr. Fox-McClary is a Fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
• Dr. Brizendine and Dr. Cammarata are board-certified in General Surgery.
• Dr. Gunsberger is a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Dr. Fox-McClary has been honored multiple times with “Top Doctor” awards over the years.

I was 7 years old when I decided to become a doctor.

My mother was a nurse. I was fascinated by looking through her pathology texts. The more severe the pathology, the more interesting I found it. She later worked as a nurse in the ER and I would go there for an hour after school until she finished her shift.

Diana Stan decided to pursue a career as a Physician Associate during her undergraduate years. While she was initially interested in healthcare, she was still exploring different paths. As she gained more exposure to clinical environments and learned about the PA profession, Diana was drawn to the balance it offers—being able to diagnose, treat, and care for patients while also having flexibility in specialties and a strong emphasis on teamwork with physicians. That combination solidified her decision.

Diana Stan’s interest in healthcare began in primary care, where she developed a strong focus on preventative medicine and long-term patient health. Through working closely with physicians and being part of a collaborative team, Diana became drawn to more hands-on, procedural care. Those experiences ultimately led her to specialize in general surgery and wound care, where she can combine teamwork with direct impact on patient recovery

• Dual board-certified in General Surgery and Colon and Rectal Surgery
• Earned a BS in Biological Sciences and BA in Chemistry from Central Washington University
• Received her M.D. from the University of Washington School of Medicine
• Completed her General Surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
• Completed her Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in 2000
• Earned an MBA in Health Care Administration from Grand Canyon University in 2021
• Specializes in conditions involving the colon, rectum, and anus
• Treats diverticulosis, colorectal cancer, perianal fistula disease, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease
• Also treats hiatal hernias and abdominal wall hernias
• Experienced in minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, UGI endoscopy, and colonoscopy
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
• Fellow of the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons (FASCRS)
• Associate Professor of Surgery at Midwestern University Medical School in Glendale, Arizona