Sharon Otaguro and Dr Fabio Almeida have joined Arizona wellness destination Civana ahead of the opening of its 22,000sq ft (2,044sq m) spa next month.

Otaguro has been named wellness director, and Dr Almeida is physician in residence.

Otaguro comes to Civana from the Grand Wailea Resort, a Waldorf Astoria property in Hawaii with an experiential spa. She will be an integral part of the ongoing development and execution of the bespoke programming offered at Civana’s spa, and also at the resort.

Dr Almeida is an integrative oncologist and functional medicine physician who will conduct guest lectures and consults in addition to operating The Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness, an independent practice on the Civana campus.

Board certified in molecular imaging, nuclear cardiology, and obesity medicine, Dr Almeida’s career began at the University of California, San Francisco. He also directs the Phoenix Molecular Imaging Facility, and is a fellow of the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Arizona – led by Dr Andrew Weil – where he also studied herbal medicine, nutrition, fitness, acupuncture and stress management.

“I am thrilled to be able to offer a holistic, personalised approach to healthcare in collaboration with Civana’s lifestyle model of offering healthier cuisine, comprehensive movement and enrichment classes, fitness diagnostics, and therapeutic spa services,” said Dr Almeida.

Civana was launched in 2017 by Kevin Kelly – who was previously Canyon Ranch president and chief branding officer, and CEO and co-owner of California’s Two Bunch Palms – along with Larry Lamy, who worked for Miraval and Canyon Ranch, and Rianna Riego, who assisted Kelly in the re-branding of Two Bunch Palms.

The team opened Civana Carefree, the first in its portfolio, in August of last year. The property currently has a six-room healing arts spa, and the team is developing the 22,000sq ft Spa Civana – complete with 29-treatment rooms, indoor thermal pools, an outdoor Watsu pool and lap pool – which will open on 20 December.