SURPRISE, Ariz. – June 13, 2018 – Sun Health has named Joe La Rue as the fourth president and chief executive officer of the 52-year-old nonprofit organization, effective July 1. La Rue currently serves as executive vice president and has been with Sun Health since 2005.
“We were looking for someone with a unique combination of relationships with local community leaders, and a background in senior living, real estate and development,” said Herman Orcutt, chairman of the Sun Health Services Board of Directors. “Just as critical was a keen understanding and sense of importance for philanthropy,” said Dan Minnix, chairman of the Sun Health Foundation Board of Trustees. The board chose to limit the search to internal candidates, as we believe it sends a positive message to the organization that we want to see succession from within. Additionally, we are grateful for Sharon Grambow’s leadership as interim President and CEO during this transition and look forward to her continued contributions to Sun Health as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Sun Health Senior Living.”
Prior to joining Sun Health in 2005, La Rue practiced law in the Sun Cities area for 16 years with an emphasis in real estate finance, development and health care, working closely with Sun Health. Since 1988, La Rue has served in many elected and appointed positions including the Peoria City Council, other Peoria and City of Surprise committees, WESTMARC, Arizona State Transportation Board, Maricopa Association of Governments, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and the Maricopa County Transportation Board.
“I am honored to have been selected to lead Sun Health and am grateful for the board’s faith and confidence,” La Rue said. “It really shows their belief in the entire organization. We have some of the best leaders and employees in the industry at all levels of Sun Health.”
Joe is pleased to follow in the footsteps of Sun Health’s previous leaders: Warren Austin Turner, who served from October 1968 to December 1989; Leland Peterson, who served from December 1989 to December 2009; and Ron Guziak, who served from December 2009 to March 2018.
About Sun Health
A long-standing champion of healthy living and superior health care, Sun Health is a community-based nonprofit organization providing philanthropy, senior living Life Care programs and communities (Grandview Terrace in Sun City West, La Loma Village in Litchfield Park, The Colonnade in Surprise and Sun Health at Home) and health and wellbeing services. The Sun Health Foundation is proud to serve as the exclusive fundraising arm of Banner Boswell Medical Center and Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, and supports the Banner Sun Health Research Institute. Our partnership provides West Valley residents with the very best in medical care and community wellness programs to serve your needs, now and in the future. Learn more at www.sunhealth.org.
