Valleywise Health Announces Major Leadership Changes Through 2026 | The Locally Times
Valleywise Health's President and CEO announced retirement, coinciding with new executive appointments and board additions, leaving questions about future leadership and strategic direction.
Valleywise Health faces a significant leadership transition following the December 10, 2025, announcement of President & CEO Steve Purves's retirement. This change, occurring after his 12 years of leadership, coincides with other key executive appointments and shifts in board composition reported by the Valleywise Health Newsroom. ## Executive Transitions Mark New Era Valleywise Health's executive team has seen recent changes beyond the CEO's announced retirement. On January 22, 2026, the Valleywise Health Newsroom reported the promotion of Warren Whitney to Chief Administrative Officer. The Newsroom entries do not detail the specific responsibilities or strategic priorities associated with this new role within the organization. Additionally, the Valleywise Health Newsroom lists Lisa Hartsock as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Valleywise Health Foundation. The Newsroom entry does not provide an exact date for Hartsock's appointment but places it before the January 22, 2026, entry regarding Whitney's promotion. The Newsroom entries do not clarify the operational relationship between Valleywise Health and the Valleywise Health Foundation, or how the Foundation CEO's role influences the main health system's operations or leadership. ## Board Composition Shifts The governing body of Valleywise Health has also experienced changes in its composition and leadership. The Valleywise Health Newsroom reported Virginia Korte's re-election as Chair of the Valleywise Health Board on December 4, 2025. This re-election occurred shortly before the announcement of the President & CEO's retirement. Further, the Valleywise Health Board welcomed three new members on December 9, 2024, as indicated by the Newsroom. The Newsroom entries do not provide the names or professional backgrounds of these three new board members. ## Unanswered Questions on Leadership and Direction The leadership changes at Valleywise Health present several unanswered questions regarding the organization's future direction. The Valleywise Health Newsroom entries do not identify who will succeed Steve Purves as President & CEO of Valleywise Health, nor do they outline a timeline for such an appointment. This lack of information leaves the organization's top leadership position for the primary healthcare entity undefined following Purves's announced retirement. Similarly, the Newsroom entries do not detail the specific strategic directions or priorities that Warren Whitney and Lisa Hartsock are expected to pursue in their new executive roles. Without this information, the impact of these executive shifts on Valleywise Health's services, community outreach, and ongoing projects remains unclear. The Valleywise Health Newsroom entries also do not address the financial implications of these leadership changes for the organization's budget, resource allocation, or long-term financial stability. The absence of publicly available information regarding the succession plan for its top executive and the specific mandates for its new leadership appointments means the full impact on its commitment to community health and patient care services is not yet detailed in the provided records. The organization's future strategic direction and how it will build upon its past leadership's legacy remain open questions as further information becomes available.