The Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board Monday welcomed three new members who ran unopposed in the November election. Virginia L. Korte, Earl Wilcox and Martin Demos will each serve a four-year term on the Board that oversees Valleywise Health, our community’s public teaching hospital and safety net system of care.
They join Woody Thomas, outgoing Chairman, and Kate Brophy McGee on the five-member board.
“We are delighted to welcome Ms. Korte, Mr. Wilcox and Mr. Demos,” said Steve Purves, President and CEO of Valleywise Health. “They each bring extensive experience and leadership in business, government and community advocacy. Their service will be an asset to our unique health system and the patients we serve.”
At the meeting, the Board elected Virginia Korte as the new chair and Earl Wilcox as vice chair. The board also approved a process to replace Director Brophy McGee next year if she prevails in a recount of the November election for the District 3 seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
“Serving on this board is an incredible honor for me,” said Korte, “I look forward to working with leadership, our District Medical Group partners and all the remarkable employees who make up this great community asset. For over 140 years, Valleywise Health has provided a health care safety net for the residents of Maricopa County, and I am honored to be part of the system’s ongoing mission.”
Korte, a native Arizonan and former Scottsdale City Council member, is owner of Korte Group, a property management and outdoor consulting firm. From 2007 to 2014, she served as President/CEO of Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitative Services (STARS), a nonprofit organization providing services and programs for developmentally disabled individuals. She was the Dealer/General manager in the family’s car business, Ray Korte Chevrolet, until it was sold in 1998.
Wilcox is a well-known Latino community activist and former state lawmaker. He served as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 1976-1990; Justice of the Peace for the Maricopa County Maryvale Justice Court from 1990-1992; and special assistant to Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano from 2003-2008. He is married to outgoing Board member Mary Rose Wilcox.
Demos is former General Counsel and Senior Vice President for Valleywise Health. He spent 20 years as an attorney for Valleywise Health and in 2022 was honored with a Counsel of the Year Award by AZ Big Media. Previously, he was a Deputy County Attorney under Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley.
Last week, outgoing board members Mary A. Harden, RN, Mark Dewane and Mary Rose Wilcox were honored for their service to the Board and the health system.
“It’s been a pleasure to work alongside these outstanding board members,” said Purves. “With their support and guidance, we opened a new Valleywise Health Medical Center, upgraded our network of community health centers, expanded behavioral health services and rolled out a mobile health clinic.
“They’ve helped pave the way for our public healthcare system to meet the changing needs of our community. It’s been an honor to work with each one of them. They will be missed,” Purves said.
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