PHOENIX, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Banner Health, one of the nation's few fully integrated nonprofit health systems, today announced the appointment of Mark Whalen as executive vice president, chief enterprise growth officer, effective August 1. In this role, Whalen will grow access and value-based care across Banner's six-state footprint, strengthen market differentiation, and sponsor enterprise transformation initiatives that improve operational efficiency, quality outcomes, financial performance, and system integration.

"Mark joins Banner at a pivotal moment as we continue building a health system that succeeds when our communities do," said Amy Perry, Banner Health president and Chief Executive Officer. "His expertise in strategic growth and integrated care delivery will be essential as we expand access, strengthen our clinical programs, and demonstrate that value-based care can improve health and health care. Mark's leadership will help us accelerate the work that matters most, keeping people healthier while ensuring every dollar we earn stays invested in the communities we serve."

Whalen brings extensive expertise in health care strategy, transformation, and integrated care delivery, with a demonstrated track record of leading enterprise-wide growth initiatives and developing population health capabilities across large, complex health systems. His experience includes driving strategic partnerships, executing business development opportunities, and aligning reimbursement models with care transformation.
At Banner Health, Whalen will oversee Strategy and Growth, Government Relations, Marketing and Public Relations, and Real Estate Management. His leadership will support Banner's continued evolution as a sustainable model for American health care—one that aligns insurance with care delivery, succeeding when patients stay healthy rather than sick, and reinvesting every dollar into communities rather than shareholder returns.

"Banner Health is pioneering an integrated approach that addresses the fundamental challenges facing American health care," said Whalen. "I'm honored to join a mission-driven organization that is proving through measurable results that world-class specialty care and access can coexist. The opportunity to accelerate growth while strengthening Banner's impact across the communities it serves is both inspiring and urgent."

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