Dave Cheney is President & Chief Executive Officer at Northern Arizona Healthcare, leading Flagstaff Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center, primary care and specialty clinics throughout Northern Arizona. Prior to joining NAH, Dave served as President and CEO of Sutter Hospitals. He led six area CEOs and oversaw the 24 hospitals within the Sutter Health System, following his tenure as CEO of Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.
Cheney is a member of the ECoNA Board. We recently interviewed him as he completed his first year with NAH.
Where are you from originally? What brought you to Arizona?
I was born and raised in Phoenix. I temporarily went to work in California for 7 years. When I got the opportunity to come back to Arizona and work with a high-quality health care system like Northern Arizona Healthcare, I jumped at the chance.
You started your career in health care as a paramedic. What drew you to that work and how has it influenced you as an administrator?
I was interested in that field because I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives on a day-to-day basis. I feel like starting in that field has really influenced my career because can I can understand what our frontline workers do in providing compassionate care for the people we serve. Whether it is a paramedic or other direct care provider, or someone supporting a direct care provider, we want to give each person the highest level of care that we can give.
You’ve been the head of Northern Arizona Healthcare for just over a year. What have been the highlights of the past 12 months at NAH?
The biggest highlight this past year has been getting to know the amazing colleagues at NAH. I have also really enjoyed being able to interact with the community.
We have hired some great new providers this past year, including an additional experienced physician recruiter to help recruit primary care and specialty providers. This person’s specialty is recruiting health care providers to rural areas, which is important as recruiting for a rural area is different than recruiting for a metro area.
I am proud of how NAH is committed to giving back to the community. I was so proud that we recently donated 43 new Bleeding Control Stations to the Flagstaff Unified School Districts. School safety is a concern in communities, and this donation is an important obligation from us to our community in helping keep students safe. Another amazing community program we offer each year are $10 physicals for all student-athletes in Flagstaff and Verde Valley. All proceeds from the physicals are donated back to the student’s school to benefit the youth athletic department.
I am also thrilled to see Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center continue to score very high on national and state rankings for the quality of care we provide. These evaluations look at everything quality related, from how well we’re doing at preventing infections to implementing extra precautions to ensure medication safety, and much, much more. Our colleagues are invested in making sure patients receive the highest quality care when they come in our doors, whether that’s at a hospital or a clinic. This work, this ongoing quality focus and the amazing recognitions we’ve received as a result of this daily work, makes me proud.
What are your impressions of the northern Arizona area?
I’ve been in awe of how northern Arizona is such close-knit community. I’ve experienced such warmth and welcome from the community at large since I’ve been here. I also love the outdoor offerings that are available here. We truly are fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country.
How is it different leading a hospital here in rural Arizona compared to the greater Phoenix or the Bay area?
I feel that health care is localized, which can make it difficult to compare. There are similarities, such as difficulties in finding nurses, as well as regulatory issues. However, I find the northern Arizona community to be much more interested in health and wellness as opposed to acute illness. The community here wants to live healthier and happier lives.
Last year, voters rejected a plan to rezone land and relocate the hospital on land near Fort Tuthill County Park. What is the status of the search for a new location for the hospital?
We continue to search for an ideal location for an acute care hospital. After listening to the community, we have made the decision to abandon the Village concept. We also decided to distribute outpatient services across the Greater Flagstaff area, as opposed to having them on one campus with an acute care hospital.
Why is a new hospital building necessary?
To meet the long-term needs of the patients and communities we serve, it is necessary to build a new hospital to replace the current campus. The broader northern Arizona community has been very clear that they want a modern hospital to serve all of northern Arizona for the next 50 years, and we at NAH are committed to that goal. We will continue our search for the ideal location.
NAH is currently working on plans for the Summit Center. What is envisioned there?
We have heard our community’s concerns about keeping health care in a central location within Flagstaff. We needed to find another solution to accommodate much-needed growth in our ambulatory care setting as soon as possible. Therefore, we’ve decided to renovate an existing NAH-owned building for an expanded Northern Arizona Healthcare Outpatient Surgery Center (NAHOSC). We were pleased to announce our new plans to redevelop the site that many know as the former Summit Center, located at 1485 N Turquoise Drive in Flagstaff. This new project gives the community access to an array of new services on the hill.
We will be building the following:
- 27,600-square-foot Ambulatory Surgery Center:
- Capacity for 6 operating rooms, with 4 being built at opening in 2026
- 2 Pain Procedure Rooms
- 32 Pre-Op and PACU Bays
- Approximately 4,700-square-foot Wound/Hyperbarics Clinic:
- 2 Hyperbaric Chambers + room for 1 more
- 6 Exam Rooms
- Approximate 14,800-square-foot Ortho/Neurosurgery Clinic
- 2 X-Rays + 3-bay Casting Area
- 27 Exam Rooms and 2 Procedure Rooms
- 5,200-square-foot EntireCare Rehab and Sports Medicine physical and occupational therapy
We want to invest in the community, and that includes investing in our facilities that will help us recruit new staff to see more patients in a timely manner. We know this renovation will help meet the needs of the patients and communities we serve.
What do you think is the biggest challenge the healthcare industry faces in northern Arizona?
I think the biggest challenge in northern Arizona is the same challenge that health care systems are facing throughout the country, and that is providing adequate staffing due to a shortage of providers.
What is your vision for NAH over the next five years?
We are working on a strategic plan with our board, which will be developed in the next year. We are looking to invest in the community, and that includes investing in our facilities to provide exceptional care and recruit new staff. NAH has prioritized recruiting new providers in northern Arizona, and will continue to introduce additional providers as part of its commitment to delivering exceptional care for the communities it serves. We want to provide a great environment for our NAH colleagues to work in while delivering exceptional care to patients.
How do you motivate and inspire your team?
I think it is so important for leaders to listen and learn from our colleagues and medical staff, and to remove the obstacles that prevent them from providing outstanding care. When I joined Team NAH, I set out to listen to our colleagues and learn about NAH from their perspective so I can hear what employees need in order to do their best. I want to inspire employees to be excited to come to work and do their very best to take care of patients. I also think it’s important to let colleagues know that they are appreciated and recognized for the amazing work that they do.
One thing that’s been clear to me since I joined this team is just how much our NAH colleagues love what they do. This is not just my own impression from my conversations with colleagues, it’s also reflected in our annual NAH Engagement Survey every colleague and provider takes so we can keep a year-over-year focus on how we’re doing and how we can improve year over year.
Why are you a member of the ECoNA Board of Directors?
This group of leaders on ECoNA’s Board of Directors can and do truly make a difference in the community. Health care is such a big part of any community, and I think it’s important to be a part of this group so we can continue to build a positive future for northern Arizona.
What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of work?
I love being outdoors, and northern Arizona is the place to be when that’s one of your hobbies. I’m a hiking enthusiast, and love how many different places there are to explore in northern Arizona. My wife and I also own a small family farm with horses, cows and chickens. Northern Arizona is the perfect place for our family!
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