Steve Purves

2023 Salsbury Award winner

Steve Purves received the 2023 Salsbury Award to honor his unselfish commitment to improve the healthcare of all Arizonans, including working to increase Graduate Medical Education funding and ensuring Medicaid support is available to those who need it.

“Like the late Dr. Salsbury, Steve has dedicated his career to improving healthcare and uses his influence for the benefit of others, especially the most vulnerable,” said Ann-Marie Alameddin, president and CEO of AzHHA. “Steve is an incredible ambassador and champion for healthcare throughout Arizona serving as president and CEO of Valleywise Health, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving public teaching healthcare system. He is a community champion as evidenced by his active participation on many state and local committees and organizations. He is dedicated to improving healthcare, especially for the underserved, and we are grateful to work alongside and be inspired by Steve’s example.”

The 2023 Salsbury Award was presented to Purves on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, at the 2023 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference in Tucson, Ariz.

Image caption: Salsbury Award winner Steve Purves with AzHHA President and CEO Ann-Marie Alameddin, October 2023.

Bio: Steve Purves

Steve Purves, president and CEO of Valleywise Health, joined the organization in September 2013. He also currently serves on the AzHHA Board of Directors. Purves has more than 37 years of service as a healthcare executive serving in the investor-owned, public, academic and private-not-for-profit settings.

Purves is actively involved in the community as an ambassador for Valleywise Health and in a variety of roles outside his healthcare duties. He serves on the boards of America’s Essential Hospitals, the Arizona State University Health Advisory Board and Health Care Futures Council, Valleywise Health Foundation and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the regional policy board of the American Hospital Association and is a member of the Greater Phoenix Leadership.

He received his master’s degree in healthcare administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and his bachelor’s degree in health education from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass. Purves is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).