Az Business and AZRE magazines announced the publications’ lists of the Most Influential Women in Arizona of 2023, including Sarah Frost, chief executive officer of Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, Banner-University Medical Center South, Diamond Children’s, and the operations of dozens of outpatient clinics. In celebration of the 12th anniversary of the Most Influential Women program, azbigmedia.com is profiling one of the Most Influential Women of 2023 each day leading up to the Most Influential Women of 2023 dinner and reception.
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The Most Influential Women for 2023 will be honored at a reception on Thursday, August 17 at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. For sponsorship information, email [email protected]. For information about the event honoring the Most Influential Women, email [email protected] or click here. To buy tickets, click here.
Sarah Frost, CEO, Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, Banner-University Medical Center South, Diamond Children’s and the operations of dozens of outpatient clinics
BACKGROUND: Sarah Frost is the chief executive officer responsible for all Banner-University Medicine operations in Southern Arizona: Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, Banner-University Medical Center South, Diamond Children’s, Banner Arizona Cancer Center, Banner-University Medicine North and dozens of outpatient clinics. Frost is a skilled leader with more than 18 years of experience at the two academic medical centers, which are the primary teaching hospitals of the University of Arizona, College of Medicine in Tucson. The two nonprofit medical centers and clinics employ upwards of 7,000 people, making Banner-University Medicine among the largest employers in Tucson and Banner Health the largest private employer in the state.
As Banner’s chief hospital executive in Tucson, Frost oversaw the much-anticipated opening of a $443 million, 9-story tower that replaced the 48-year-old original University Hospital, in April 2019. Prior to Frost serving as CEO, she worked in various management and leadership roles within Banner and its predecessor, the University of Arizona Health Network as well as for Pima County. Frost has been recognized as a Tucson “40 under 40” winner as well as an Arizona Capital Times’ Women Achievers of Arizona recipient. She was named as one of the 2022 “Women Leading the Region” by Biz Tucson. She serves on the American Heart and Stroke Association Board, Pima JTED Foundation Board, Sun Corridor Board as well as the AAMC Council of Teaching Hospitals Board.
CAREER PATH INSPIRATION: “During college, I worked for a medical consulting firm. I enjoyed the fast-paced environment and started seriously considering a career in healthcare. My dream was to be a nurse, but after my first biology course, I realized that hospital management may be a better path for me. I started an internship at a hospital and after leaving my office in the basement to deliver a document to the CEO on the 3rd floor, I knew that I wanted to be in that office one day. I am so proud that 20 years later, I can say I made it happen for myself.”
SOURCE OF PRIDE: “A highlight of my career was in 2019 when we officially opened the new $445 million Banner-University Medical Center in Tucson. Our teams worked tirelessly for years to make that happen, and I will never forget the day we wheeled our first patient down the hall and into his shiny new room with a stunning view of our Arizona mountains.”
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION: “I have had so many amazing bosses, mentors and fellow leaders along the way. I have always taken a piece from each of them – whether it was a learning of what to do or what not to do. To give credit to just one person would not be enough. It takes a village to do what we do, and I hope that I am supporting my teams the way that I was fortunate enough to be supported.”
SURPRISING FACT: “In college, I was a cake decorator for a local grocery store. At the time, I thought I was pretty good! But I can honestly say, it is for the best that this career path didn’t work out for me.”
