Rob Thames, F.A.C.H.E., F.H.F.M.A., is president and CEO of Northern Arizona Healthcare,
the largest healthcare provider in Northern Arizona. NAH has 4,000 colleagues, doctors and
volunteers and has been recognized as a top performing health system for several years in a row
by Truven Analytics.
Rob has worked in healthcare for more than 30 years, improving the health of the communities
he serves. At NAH, his focus is on the ‘Triple Aim’ for healthcare: Access, quality and cost.
Prior to joining NAH in 2015, Rob served as president of Incendant, a patient engagement start-
up company founded by physicians at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, Colo. Rob also served
as senior vice president and chief operating officer of Parkview Health System, the largest
provider in southeast Colorado. U.S. News and World Report recognized Parkview Medical
Center as a Best Regional Hospital, the only medical center south of Denver to be recognized as
high performing in multiple specialty areas. Rob was recruited to integrate physician and hospital
operations and move performance from good to great.
In addition to operating health systems, Rob has consulted across the country and presented at
national conferences, including A.C.H.E., F.H.F.M.A., C.H.A. and OP100. Rob earned a
bachelor’s in business, a master’s of health administration and a master’s of business
administration all from the University of Minnesota.
Rob resides in Flagstaff and spends his free time doing anything active – as he has his entire life
– with the support and often company of his wife, three daughters and son. The lessons he’s
learned from his life experiences relate directly to his philosophies as a leader.