Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Board of Directors today announces it has hired David Cheney, MBA, FACHE, to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer.

Cheney will start on July 10 and will lead the NAH system, including two hospitals, primary care clinics, specialty care facilities, and air and ground emergency medical transport throughout the northern Arizona region. He comes to NAH with a wealth of experience, most recently as CEO of Sutter Health Hospitals in California, where he leads a 24-hospital network in six markets. He previously worked in Arizona at Samaritan Health System and as an executive at Banner Health.

“Mr. Cheney’s decades of health care executive leadership will position him to lead NAH in the next phase of our mission to improve health and heal people in the communities we serve,” said William Riley, Ph.D., chair of the NAH Board of Directors. “His prior experience at health care systems in Arizona shows he understands the complexity of health care needs and delivery in our unique state.”

Cheney describes himself as a servant leader with experience guiding and motivating teams toward continuous improvement in quality, safety, and the health of the community. His strengths include developing community relationships, inspiring strong team leadership and organizational culture, and enhancing the quality of care. He also has led teams through some of the challenges northern Arizona communities and NAH face together, including forest fires and flooding.

“I am excited to join NAH and to work with Josh Tinkle and the entire executive team during my transition,” he said. “NAH is doing wonderful work and we have the chance to build on those successes together.”

Likewise, Tinkle, acting CEO, said he plans to work with Cheney during the transition and resume his permanent role as Chief Operating Officer upon Cheney’s arrival.

Cheney is board certified in healthcare management by the American College of Healthcare Executives and also is a Fellow in the ACHE. Cheney earned his Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University and his bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona.

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