Betsey Bayless Selected as Finalist for Maricopa Special Health Care District

Experience in management, cost savings, government favor Bayless - August 4, 2005

In a unanimous vote today, the Board of Directors of the Maricopa Special Healthcare District selected current Arizona Department of Administration Director Betsey Bayless as the finalist for the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS). The Board voted to meet again with Bayless and senior MIHS management, after which contract negotiations could begin.

"We are very excited at the tremendous credibility Betsey Bayless can bring to our management team," said Board Chairwoman Paulina Morris. "We were very impressed with her years of leadership in so many areas of government, and in particular with her recent history of effective, thoughtful efforts to make government more cost-efficient. Right now, she's saving the State of Arizona millions of dollars. We believe the taxpayers of Maricopa County will be very pleased with this choice."

Bayless, Arizona's Secretary of State from 1997 to 2003, has worked in many areas of public service for more than 30 years. She was elected to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, where she served from 1989 to 1997, and was twice Chairman of the Board. She received her undergraduate degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish from the University of Arizona, and holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University.

Described as "a steady hand" in an Arizona Republic article last spring, Bayless has headed the Department of Administration since 2003, and has been lauded by Governor Napolitano for her work in making state government run more efficiently.

"She has been a leader in our efforts to make government more efficient, saving millions of dollars through several efficiency review projects..." said Governor Napolitano in the article.

She brings extensive experience in managing large, complex organizations, including the Arizona Department of Revenue and Department of Administration; an intimate knowledge of government operations at the local, county, state and federal levels; a reputation for bi-partisan problem-solving; and a reputation for integrity, caring, a strong work ethic and professionalism, each vital qualities for the CEO position.

"In addition to being someone highly respected in the community, we believe Betsey Bayless will earn the respect and admiration of our extremely dedicated MIHS staff," said Morris. "All the applicants were extremely impressive, but we are very confident in our selection. These are exciting times, and we expect more positive steps in the near future."

The MIHS Board of Directors and senior management are expected to meet with Bayless soon, after which contract and other negotiations with Bayless could begin.

About the Special Health Care District and MIHS

The special health care district was formed in November, 2003, when voters passed Proposition 414. The district formally took over the health care system from Maricopa County in January, 2005.

Maricopa Integrated Health System is headquartered in the heart of Phoenix. The cornerstone of the system is Maricopa Medical Center (MMC), a major teaching hospital with a history dating back over 100 years. Best known for its critical care services, the hospital offers Level 1 trauma and intensive care for adults, babies and children. Two in-patient psychiatric care centers with nearly 200 beds provide services in behavioral medicine. The nation's second largest burn treatment facility, the Arizona Burn Center, located at the main hospital campus, treats over 800 patients per year. Eleven family health care centers are located throughout the Valley, providing primary and specialty care ranging from well baby to HIV-AIDS patient services.

Last updated on December 3, 2008