After dedicating 30 years each to leadership in the healthcare industry and guiding the successful merger of two long-time Valley healthcare organizations into HonorHealth, Tom Sadvary, chief executive officer, and Rhonda Forsyth, president, will be retiring.
Forsyth will retire from HonorHealth on Dec. 31. Sadvary’s last day as CEO is expected to be April 3, 2017, but he’ll serve in an advisory role through the remainder of 2017. Both will continue to lead HonorHealth, Arizona’s eighth largest private employer, through their transition dates, allowing ample time for a successful leadership transition.
After a thorough succession planning process, the Board of Directors has tapped Todd LaPorte, HonorHealth chief administrative officer and executive vice president, to move into the CEO role upon Tom Sadvary’s retirement.
“We are uniquely positioned for success in the changing healthcare market thanks to the vision and leadership of Tom Sadvary and Rhonda Forsyth,” said Steve Wheeler, chairman, HonorHealth Board of Directors. “Todd is the right leader for the next phase of HonorHealth’s evolution for the organization in fulfilling its mission.”
“I am confident in the direction we are headed. We have a strong mission, vision, values and a brand promise for HonorHealth, and Todd brings all of the right qualities for our next, successful CEO,” Sadvary said. “I started as a paramedic 40 years ago, and I’ve been in Scottsdale for 30 years. This has never been just a job to me. It’s a way to make a significant difference for our patients, our employees, our physicians, our partners and our community. It’s a wonderful opportunity and experience to be part of – and continue to be part of – transforming HonorHealth for the next generation.”
“Nothing makes me prouder than to be connected with this great organization,” added Forsyth. “And nothing humbles me more than to think of the thousands of people whose lives we touch. Every single day of my work life has had meaning because of what we do to care for people. More than anything, it is the caliber of people in leadership that has enabled me to feel comfortable with my decision. From our Board of Directors to our management team, we have the right team in place to move forward and continue to be successful. They believe in our mission and I know will continue to uphold the values that have made us great.”
Sadvary began his career in Scottsdale in 1986 as administrator of what is known today as HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. He served in progressive executive roles prior to being named CEO of the former Scottsdale Healthcare in 2005. Sadvary maintained that role with HonorHealth when the company joined with John C. Lincoln Health Network in 2013.
Forsyth started working at John C. Lincoln Health Network in 1987 and served in numerous roles overseeing managed care and revenue cycle operations. She served as CEO of what is known today as HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center and HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center, before being named president and CEO of the former John C. Lincoln Health Network in 2009. When John C. Lincoln Health Network combined with Scottsdale Healthcare, Forsyth assumed the role of president of HonorHealth.
LaPorte leads HonorHealth’s finance, strategic planning, population health management, integration, contracting, payor relations and supply chain management functions. He joined Scottsdale Healthcare in 2001 as director of finance. He was promoted to CFO, then CFO and chief strategy officer and maintained that role with HonorHealth prior to assuming his current role as chief administrative officer and executive vice president in 2015. Previously, LaPorte served in senior management roles for an international CPA firm that served many Arizona healthcare clients and as CFO of a dental services company.
“I look forward to the leadership that Tom and Rhonda will continue to bring to the table over the next year and their efforts to help ensure a smooth transition for Todd,” said Wheeler. “We have a strong team and successful integration, and we are expanding our care and wellness services throughout our communities. Todd has been part of this success and he is committed to our mission, values and strategic plan that always puts our patients and quality care first.”
“In the midst of so much change in our combined 142 years of history, this stays the same: We support patient care and we support our colleagues in patient care, and every decision is driven by what is best for the person we are serving,” added LaPorte. “We have the capability to do everything in our plan to achieve our vision, focusing on the continuum of care as we meet all of the needs of our community inside and outside the hospital setting. We have accomplished much so far and should be proud. I am looking forward to our future.”
