President and Chief Executive Officer

President and Chief Executive Officer – Valley wise Health

Valley wise Health seeks a seasoned, purpose-driven executive with the breadth of experience, judgment, and leadership presence to lead a complex public health system in a highly visible governance environment. This role is a rare opportunity to steward one of the nation’s most essential public health systems at a defining moment in its evolution.

The President and Chief Executive Officer serves as the chief executive of the Maricopa County Special Health Care District, doing business as Valley wise Health, and is accountable to a publicly elected Board of Directors for the organization’s overall performance, strategic direction, and long-term sustainability. Working in close partnership with the Board, the President and CEO defines and advances system-wide strategy and serves as Valley wise Health’s principal representative with community leaders, governmental officials, academic partners, and other key stakeholders.

• Define and advance system-wide strategy, aligning diverse interests around a shared mission and clear priorities.
• Represent Valley wise Health as the principal liaison with community leaders, governmental officials, academic partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Hold ultimate responsibility for operational, financial, and clinical performance across the system, ensuring delivery of high-quality, equitable, and compassionate care in full compliance with regulatory and accrediting standards.
• Partner with District Medical Group (DMG) to align clinical care, academic programming, physician engagement, and financial sustainability within the closed medical staff model.
• Educate and align the Board on complex issues including the professional services agreement, Medicaid funding dynamics, and strategic deployment of Proposition 409 bond proceeds.

• A master’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration, public health, or a related field is required. Fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives or comparable professional credentials are desirable.
• The successful candidate will bring significant senior executive leadership experience within a complex healthcare organization, academic medical center, public hospital system, or similarly sophisticated system, especially in environments characterized by public accountability, multi-stakeholder governance, and evolving reimbursement dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with a governing board, particularly within a public or publicly accountable setting, is strongly preferred. The President and CEO must be adept at building trust with board members, communicating complex issues with clarity, and leading with transparency in a public forum.
• A track record of effective partnership with physicians and clinical leaders is critical, particularly within integrated or closed medical staff models. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to align clinical excellence, academic advancement, physician engagement, and financial sustainability.

Valley wise Health, formerly known as Maricopa Integrated Health System, is a comprehensive public health care system deeply rooted in the Phoenix community, serving Maricopa County for more than 140 years. As the region’s public safety-net hospital system and largest public teaching institution, Valley wise Health includes the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center, behavioral health hospitals, community and comprehensive health centers, and a strong academic and physician training system.

Valley wise Health is committed to providing exceptional care without exception, every patient, every time, and plays a vital role in advancing access, equity, and community health across Maricopa County.

Greater Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing major metropolitan regions in the United States, with a population approaching five million and a diversified, innovation-driven economy. The area offers a high quality of life and professional opportunities for senior leaders, including access to strong academic institutions, expanding healthcare, biosciences, and technology sectors, and a competitive tax environment.

Please direct all inquiries, applications, and referrals to:
Richard Heishman
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