Steve Purves, Maricopa Integrated Health System

Employers have long recognized the importance of healthcare as an issue in their business operations. Today’s federally mandated requirements have added to their responsibilities, to not only provide the level of healthcare benefits that makes their company competitive in attracting and retaining talent but also meet the ongoing roll-out of compliance provisions. Add to those the concern of keeping the company’s workforce healthy, whether for bottom-line productivity or higher philosophical reasons, and the healthcare landscape is a minefield of complications.

I think it goes without saying that for anyone seeking an employment opportunity, employer-sponsored health coverage is most likely the major incentive benefit tied to an employee’s compensation package. At Maricopa Integrated Health System, we are not immune to the reality of the increasing cost of healthcare, today’s Federal mandates and the impact they are having on increasing the cost of providing benefits to employees — but as a healthcare provider ourselves, we place particular importance on healthcare in the workplace. Obviously, we, too, have to remain competitive and retain our best talent, but we also understand that to lower our costs and to reduce employee absenteeism we have to continue to focus on our employee wellness and preventive health programs. At the end of the day, it’s a win-win situation when you have happy and healthy employees.

This month’s cover story delves into this subject as it looks at coverage programs and delivery models currently in place, the role of employers and individual healthcare consumers, and emerging opportunities to improve healthcare. In Business Magazine editor RaeAnne Marsh shares insights from leaders in our healthcare industry. And the legal aspect of healthcare coverage responsibilities and liabilities is addressed specifically in this issue’s Legal feature.

How hard-working is our business community? That is the question explored in the By the Numbers feature this month. More statistics permeate the Focus article on trends in human capital. Stuart Cross explores various internal processes and mindsets that businesses may not recognize as obstacles even as they strive to innovate and grow, and offers suggestions to overcome them. And Tim Brown and Dan Streeter take a new look at sales from the standpoint of capitalizing on opportunities presented by not being No. 1.

In addition to its signature mix of business-related topics relevant to decision makers, from startup entrepreneurs to executives at major corporations, this issue of In Business Magazine includes an update of its Business Healthcare Services Guide, a comprehensive reference for healthcare-related services in the Valley.

Please enjoy this issue of In Business Magazine.

Sincerely,

Steve Purves
President and CEO
Maricopa Integrated Health System

Steve Purves is president and CEO of Maricopa Integrated Health System, Arizona’s only public healthcare system and Maricopa County’s largest training center of physicians and other healthcare professionals. Maricopa Integrated Health System includes the Maricopa Medical Center, the Arizona Burn Center, the Arizona Children’s Center, a Level I Trauma Center, two behavioral health centers and a network of 12 neighborhood clinics that serve the entire county. Purves works with the publically elected five-member board of directors, who represent the Maricopa County Special Health Care District, to plan, direct and manage the current operations, future growth and program development for MIHS.

Purves is actively involved in the community as member of the board with a variety of organizations that include the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.

He received his master’s degree in healthcare administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and his bachelor’s degree in health education, cum laude, from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass, and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.