As President Emeritus, Betsey Bayless works with the President, CEO and the independently elected five-member Board of Directors who represent the Maricopa County Special Health Care District to lead the state’s only public hospital system. Ms. Bayless was awarded the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association’s 2011 HOPE (Honoring Our Professionals for Excellence) Healthcare Leader Award and in 2010 Ms. Bayless was named one of Arizona’s Most Admired CEOs. She is widely recognized as one of the state’s most dynamic leaders.
Since her arrival at Valleywise Health in 2005, Ms. Bayless has led a financial turnaround of the organization, made substantial facility and equipment capital improvements, implemented a system-wide electronic medical records system, increased the number of physicians trained, and achieved clinical quality accreditation. Today, Valleywise Health is a comprehensive public health system focused on community need and the provision of primary care, specialized services, clinical research and medical education.
Ms. Bayless’ leadership position at Valleywise Health follows a distinguished career in public service. From 1997 to 2002, Ms. Bayless served as Arizona’s 17th Secretary of State. In that capacity, Ms. Bayless focused on increasing voter registration and participation, implementing electronic government and making government more efficient and customer friendly. For eight years, Ms. Bayless was a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, where she served two terms as Board Chairman. Her extensive State government career includes serving as the director of the Arizona Department of Administration, acting director of the Arizona Department of Revenue, and assistant director of the Arizona Board of Regents.
Additionally, Ms. Bayless worked in the securities industry as an investment banker and stockbroker. A third-generation Arizonan, Ms. Bayless earned her Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish from the University of Arizona, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Humane Letters from the University of Arizona.
Active in community service, Ms. Bayless received the 2005 Valley Leadership Woman of the Year Award. She is a member of the Greater Phoenix Leadership and numerous Boards of Directors including the TGen Board, the Arizona Community Foundation Board, the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association Board, the Campaign Finance Institute Board, the Childhelp Arizona Board, the Catholic Community Foundation Board, the Fresh Start Board, the Morrison Institute Board, the University of Arizona’s College of Business and Public Administration National Board, and the Arizona State University West Advisory Board.