Last March, Maricopa Integrated Health Systems (soon to be Valleywise Health) announced the purchase and re-opening of Maryvale Hospital. At the time, we hailed the announcement a big win for the Maryvale community.
We said, “There is no better example of the nexus of these two goals – protecting the taxpayers and improving community health – than MIHS’s announcement to purchase and reopen Maryvale Hospital. The hospital in west Phoenix, which was closed late last year, will receive new life and a renovation as an emergency department and behavioral health hospital.”
A little more than a year later, the MIHS Maryvale hospital is ready to open its doors and serve the community. As the Arizona Republic explains, “The renovated hospital will serve two purposes — as a full-service, 24/7 community emergency department for adults and children; and as an inpatient hospital for psychiatric patients in the behavioral health system.”
This is more than a community “win” for Maryvale. This is a huge win for the entire valley and another promise kept from Proposition 480. Purchasing, renovating and reopening the Maryvale Hospital represents a smart investment and sincere commitment to fiscal responsibility from MIHS.
We applaud the continued commitment MIHS is making to underserved communities and restoring this imperative facility. Behavioral health represents a significant need for Arizona communities, MIHS is serving a critical regional role that can now better serve the entire valley.
We look forward to the positive impacts that will stem from this facility opening. Congratulations to the Maricopa Special Health Care District Board of Directors; President and CEO, Steve Purves; Chief Operating Officer, Kris Gaw; Chief Financial Officer, Richard Mutarelli; and the entire MIHS team.