Northern Arizona Healthcare has announced that longtime President and CEO Rob Thames stepped down effective March 26.
Florence L. Spyrow, who has served since 2015 as NAH’s executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Flagstaff Medical Center, will take over as interim president and CEO.
“Under Rob’s leadership we came together as a health care system, with colleagues achieving remarkable results and continually improving care, always keeping patients at the center of everything we do,” Spyrow wrote in an email.
“This lays the foundation for us to improve access, affordability and quality as we strive to offer the best value to communities.”
Thames took over as president and CEO on April 13, 2015, and oversaw the transition of NAH from a partnership of two hospitals to the widespread medical care system it is now, including Flagstaff Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center, Team Health, Verde Valley Medical Clinic, Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare, EntireCare Rehab and Sports Medicine Experts, Fit Kids of Arizona, Guardian Air, Heart and Vascular Center of Northern Arizona, Northern Arizona Homecare, Northern Arizona Hospice and Valley View Care.
Under Thames’ leadership, the hospital system consolidated the boards of VVMC, FMC and NAH into a single board, and, according to hospital spokesperson Trista MacVittie, focused its care on a more data-oriented approach for better patient outcomes. “The NAH Board and Leadership Team are committed to our work as one NAH, continuing programs and initiatives that position us to be successful in the future,” Spyrow wrote. “Our colleagues have the talent, commitment and heart that make anything possible.”
NAH has not yet announced when it expects to solidify its long-term pick for president and CEO.
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551, or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
