The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA), an organization that brings together diverse voices to advance health and healthcare in Arizona, announced today that Steve Purves, president and CEO of Valleywise Health, won the 2023 Salsbury Award.

Named in honor of the late Dr. Salsbury, a respected missionary physician who advocated for access to healthcare, especially the underserved, the Salsbury Award is the highest honor AzHHA can bestow on an individual who demonstrates outstanding service and unselfish purpose while advancing healthcare and increasing its access in Arizona.

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“Like the late Dr. Salsbury, Steve Purves 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. His influence spans the nation serving on national boards for America’s Essential Hospitals and the American Hospital Association. He is a dedicated champion for improving healthcare, especially for the underserved, and we are grateful to work alongside and be inspired by Steve’s example.”

During Thursday’s ceremony, AzHHA honored Purves’ “unselfish commitment” to improve the healthcare of all Arizonans. “Steve has used his voice to improve healthcare in our state, increase Graduate Medical Education funding and ensure Medicaid support is available to those who need it,” said Alameddin.

Steve Purves currently serves on the AzHHA Board of Directors. He was presented with his award earlier today during the 2023 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference in Tucson.

AzHHA has also presented the following awards this week:

  • The 2023 Legislator of the Year Award was awarded to Representative David Cook (R-Dist. 7) to recognize his unwavering dedication and outstanding work in the Arizona legislature on behalf of Arizona’s hospitals.
  • The recipient of the 2023 Grassroots Champion Award is Neal Jensen, CEO of Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center and AzHHA Board Chair. This award is given to recognize a hospital leader from an American Hospital Association member institution in each state for her or his work cultivating relationships with lawmakers and their staff, then effectively leveraging those relationships to advocate tirelessly on behalf of patients, hospitals and their communities.
  • For the first time, AzHHA also presented the AzHHA Quality Awards. These awards recognize Arizona’s leaders who are committed to advancing healthcare through exceptional quality performance, community engagement and a culture of continuous improvement.
    • Top Overall Excellence Award (recognizing the highest achievement among the top winner from each category) – Southern Arizona VA Health Care System for their submission titled “COVID Operational Status Process.”
    • Community Engagement Award
      • Top critical access hospital/small rural hospital (less than or equal to 100 beds): Gila River Health Care for their submission titled “Critical Access to Health Care.”
      • Top general acute care (greater or equal to 101 beds): Yuma Regional Medical Center for their submission titled “Keeping Patient-Centered Care in the Community.”
      • Top federal hospital: Southern Arizona VA Health Care System for their submission titled “Native American Advocacy.”
    • Patient Safety and Quality Award
      • Top critical access hospital/small rural hospital (less than or equal to 100 beds): Cornerstone Specialty Hospital Southeast Arizona for their submission titled “Acute Transfer Out Process.”
      • Top general acute care (greater or equal to 101 beds): Mayo Clinic Arizona for their submission titled “Stroke Door to Needle Times: Improvement and Sustainability.”
      • Top federal hospital: Phoenix VA Health Care System for their submission titled “A Multifaceted Approach to CAUTI Reduction.”
    • Emergency Management Innovation Award
      • Top critical access hospital/small rural hospital (less than or equal to 100 beds): Northern Cochise Community Hospital (partner of Tucson Medical Center Health System) for their submission titled “Rural Hospital Emergency Management.”
      • Top general acute care (greater or equal to 101 beds): Summit Healthcare for their submission titled “Implementing Peer Support Specialists into the ED.”
      • Top federal hospital: Southern Arizona VA Health Care System for their submission titled “COVID Operational Status Process.”

“All of our award winners showcase the tremendous work that is happening in communities across our state to improve healthcare for all Arizonans,” said Alameddin.