Steve Purves, president and CEO of Phoenix-based Valleywise Health, will retire when his contract ends in October 2026, after 12 years leading Arizona’s only public teaching hospital and safety-net system, according to a Dec. 10 news release.
Mr. Purves joined the system in 2013 and helmed it through a financial turnaround that delivered more than $170 million in improvements, the release said. The stability of the turnaround supported major capital projects, among them a new 10‑story, 240‑bed medical center that opened during his tenure.
He also worked with the Maricopa County Special Health Care District on initiatives such as the 2018 purchase and redevelopment of the former Maryvale hospital, which Valleywise converted into a behavioral health facility to expand access to care.
“It has been the honor of my career to serve Valleywise Health and the people of Maricopa County,” Mr. Purves said in the release.
