AzHHA announces new slate for 2027 Board of Directors
Phoenix, Ariz. (Oct. 22, 2026) – The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) Board of Directors announced today it approved five new healthcare executives to serve on its board and confirmed its roster for 2027.
The following Arizona healthcare executives were approved to join the AzHHA Board of Directors on Thursday:
- Billy Gardner, CEO, Summit Healthcare
- Jessika Workman, CEO, Select Specialty Hospital – Phoenix
- LaDessa Forrest, market CEO, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of West Valley
- Melinda White, CEO, Sage Memorial Hospital
- Michael White, M.D., president and CEO, Valleywise Health
With leadership from its 19-member board, AzHHA brings together health leaders from across the state to tackle key issues and challenges they face every day. As a resourceful, influential and diverse hospital association, AzHHA works tirelessly to advance healthcare public policy to implement programs to improve health and healthcare in Arizona.
“In a time of rapid change and looming funding and access to care challenges across the healthcare ecosystem, our strength lies in unity,” said Ann-Marie Alameddin, president and CEO of AzHHA. “With the leadership of this dynamic and deeply committed Board of Directors, AzHHA is poised to continue to champion the needs of Arizona’s hospitals and the patients they serve in these challenging times.”
AzHHA’s Board of Directors includes hospital and healthcare leaders representing various hospitals throughout Arizona – from large health systems to rural hospitals. The fundamental responsibilities of the board officers and Board of Directors are to set policy and broad strategic direction toward the fulfillment of AzHHA’s purpose of advancing health and healthcare in Arizona.
Board chairman, Bob Trenschel, D.O., MPH, president and CEO of Onvida Health, officially handed the gavel to incoming Chair Mimi Coomler, CEO of TMC Health, during Thursday morning’s proceedings.
“This year, AzHHA and its members made meaningful progress on issues that directly affect Arizona hospitals and the communities we serve, strengthening our collective voice at a time of significant change,” said Dr. Trenschel. “I’m proud of what we accomplished together and confident that under Mimi’s leadership, the Board will continue building on that momentum.”
“Arizona hospitals face a changing financial and policy landscape, from health plan accountability to the significant changes ahead for Medicaid financing,” said Coomler. “I look forward to working with AzHHA and our members to navigate these challenges, advance solutions at the state and federal levels and ensure Arizona hospitals continue to have a strong, unified voice.”
The complete list of the 2027 AzHHA Board of Directors:
OFFICERS
Mimi Coomler
Board Chair
President and CEO | TMC Health
Jackie Lundblad
Board Chair-Elect and Board Secretary/Treasurer
President and CEO | Wickenburg Community Hospital
Ann-Marie Alameddin
Board President
President and CEO | AzHHA
Robert J. Trenschel, D.O., MPH
Immediate Past Chair
President and CEO | Onvida Health
DIRECTORS
Billy Gardner
AzHHA Board Director
CEO | Summit Healthcare
Chris Ruble
AzHHA Board Director
CEO | Copper Springs Hospital
David Cheney
AzHHA Board Director
President and CEO | Northern Arizona Healthcare
Erica Brown
AzHHA Board Director
Executive Director | Creighton University, Arizona Health Education Alliance
Jennifer Nunez
AzHHA Board Director
CEO | Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital
Jessika Workman
AzHHA Board Director
CEO | Select Specialty Hospital - Phoenix
Krystal Burge
AzHHA Board Director
Chair of the Board | Kingman Regional Medical Center
LaDessa Forrest
AzHHA Board Director
Market CEO | Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of West Valley
Melinda White
AzHHA Board Director
CEO | Sage Memorial Hospital
Michael White, M.D.
AzHHA Board Director
President and CEO | Valleywise Health
Neal Jensen
AzHHA Board Director
CEO | Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center
Rhonda Anderson, R.N.
AzHHA Board Director
Principle | RMA Consulting Arizona
Richard Gray, M.D.
AzHHA Board Director
CEO | Mayo Clinic
Vicki Began, R.N., M.N.
AzHHA Board Director
CEO | San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation
Wesley Babers
AzHHA Board Director
CEO | White Mountain Regional Medical Center
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About the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
AzHHA brings together diverse voices to advance health and healthcare in Arizona. As the champion for healthcare leadership in Arizona, AzHHA and its member hospitals explore ideas and take collaborative action at the state capitol, in hospitals and at home to achieve the best healthcare outcomes for our communities. Above all else, we put people and patients first through better care, better health and lower costs. Visit azhha.org for more information.