Michael Murphy
(602) 344-1231
Michael.Murphy@valleywisehealth.org
PHOENIX (Dec. 10, 2025) – Valleywise Health today announced that President & Chief Executive Officer Steve Purves will retire at the conclusion of his contract in October 2026, marking the culmination of a 45-year career in healthcare administration and 12 years of service to Arizona’s only public teaching hospital and safety net health care system.
Since joining the organization in 2013, Purves has led one of the most significant periods of progress in Valleywise Health’s 148-year history. Early in his tenure, he helped guide the system through a severe financial crisis, spearheading a turnaround that ultimately delivered more than $170 million in fiscal improvements and stabilized the organization’s future. That financial foundation enabled Valleywise Health to advance major capital efforts supported by bonds approved by voters in 2014 and 2025.
Under his leadership, Valleywise Health opened a new 10-story, state-of-the-art medical center, expanded behavioral health services across the Valley and launched or renovated multiple community health centers to better meet the needs of patients and families. He also strengthened the system’s longstanding commitment to medical education through the Creighton University – Arizona Health Education Alliance, helping ensure that future generations of physicians are trained in Arizona.
Purves worked closely with the Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors to renew and modernize Valleywise Health facilities. He also spearheaded the District’s 2018 purchase of the Maryvale hospital, which had been shuttered by a previous owner, leaving a substantial gap in local access to emergency care. Valleywise Health reopened the emergency department and converted the remainder of the hospital into a 192-bed behavioral health center to address the growing mental health needs in Maricopa County.
“Steve’s leadership has been instrumental in helping Valleywise Health become the strong, stable and forward-looking system it is today,” said Virginia L. Korte, Chair of the Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors. “He has worked closely with the Board to execute a long-term vision that delivered financial stability, modern facilities and a renewed commitment to serving our community. Steve’s legacy also includes the passage of Proposition 409, which provides funds for behavioral health expansion, new community health centers and expanded capacity for teaching the next generation of physicians.”
During his tenure, Valleywise Health earned national recognition for quality and mission-driven care, including being named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by IBM Watson Health and earning a Leapfrog “A” grade. Purves elevated the system’s leadership voice nationally, becoming the first Valleywise Health executive to serve on the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees. He also served as board chair of America’s Essential Hospitals and held leadership roles within the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, helping raise the profile of Arizona’s safety-net system at the state and national levels.
“Steve’s leadership has transformed Valleywise Health and strengthened the essential safety-net care our community depends on,” Korte added. “Thanks to his stewardship, Valleywise Health is more resilient, more innovative and better positioned for the future than at any time in its modern history. We thank him for his years of steadfast service and leadership.”
Purves will continue to lead Valleywise Health until his contract concludes in October 2026, including the early work enabled by the passage of Proposition 409. The Board of Directors will conduct a thorough and thoughtful search to identify the next President & CEO, with an emphasis on stability, mission alignment and continued organizational momentum.
Purves described the decision to retire as a natural next step. “It has been the honor of my career to serve Valleywise Health and the people of Maricopa County,” Purves said. “Together we strengthened our essential public health system, transformed aging facilities and expanded access to care for those who need it most. I look forward to supporting the transition process and then spending more time with my wife, children and grandchildren.”
About Valleywise Health
With locations throughout Maricopa County, one of the country’s fastest growing metro areas, Valleywise Health has a proud 148-year tradition of providing exceptional care, without exception, every patient, every time. Today, the health system includes one of the nation’s top public teaching hospitals, a world-renowned burn center and Arizona’s largest HIV primary care center. From a new state-of-the-art acute care hospital, including the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center and Level I Trauma, to three behavioral health hospitals and 11 community health centers, Valleywise Health is here for every member of the community. To learn more, please visit ValleywiseHealth.org.
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