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Suzanne Pfister, Phoenix health foundation leader, remembered as ''true public servant''

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  Suzanne Pfister, who for more than a decade led a Phoenix-based nonprofit focused on improving Arizonans'' health, died July 18. She was 67.

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Remembering Suzanne Pfister: A Trailblazing Leader in Arizona's Health and Philanthropy Landscape


Suzanne Pfister, a visionary force in Arizona's health philanthropy and community wellness sectors, passed away peacefully at her home in Phoenix on July 15, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 68 years old. Pfister, who served as the president and CEO of Vitalyst Health Foundation for over two decades, leaves behind a profound legacy of innovation, advocacy, and transformative change that has reshaped health equity and access across the state. Her death marks the end of an era for Arizona's nonprofit and public health communities, where she was widely regarded as a mentor, strategist, and tireless champion for underserved populations.

Born in 1957 in a small town in rural Illinois, Suzanne Pfister grew up in a modest family that instilled in her the values of hard work, education, and community service. Her father was a factory worker, and her mother a schoolteacher, both of whom emphasized the importance of giving back. Pfister often recounted in interviews how her early experiences witnessing economic disparities in her hometown sparked her lifelong passion for social justice. She pursued higher education at the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1979, followed by a master's in public administration from Arizona State University in 1982. It was during her time in Arizona that she fell in love with the state's diverse landscapes and communities, deciding to make it her permanent home.

Pfister's professional journey began in the early 1980s with roles in local government and nonprofit organizations focused on community development. She worked for the City of Phoenix's human services department, where she helped design programs addressing homelessness and family support. Her keen ability to bridge public and private sectors quickly caught the attention of health leaders. In 1995, she joined what was then known as the St. Luke's Health Initiatives, a foundation born from the sale of St. Luke's Hospital. Under her leadership, the organization evolved into Vitalyst Health Foundation in 2014, a rebranding that reflected its expanded mission to foster systemic change in health policy, equity, and innovation.

As CEO, Pfister transformed Vitalyst into a powerhouse of philanthropy, distributing millions in grants annually to initiatives that tackled Arizona's most pressing health challenges. She was instrumental in addressing the state's rural-urban health divide, advocating for better access to mental health services, preventive care, and nutrition programs in underserved areas like Native American reservations and border communities. One of her signature achievements was the launch of the Arizona Partnership for Healthy Communities in the early 2000s, a collaborative network that brought together hospitals, nonprofits, and government agencies to improve health outcomes through data-driven strategies. This partnership has been credited with reducing emergency room visits in low-income neighborhoods by integrating social services with medical care.

Pfister's influence extended far beyond grantmaking. She was a vocal advocate for health policy reform at both state and national levels. During the Affordable Care Act debates in the 2010s, she testified before Arizona lawmakers, pushing for expanded Medicaid coverage that eventually benefited hundreds of thousands of residents. Her work on health equity gained national recognition when Vitalyst partnered with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on initiatives to combat health disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, under her guidance, Vitalyst pivoted swiftly to fund emergency response efforts, including vaccine distribution in hard-to-reach areas and support for frontline workers. Colleagues remember her as a strategic thinker who could foresee trends, such as the rising importance of telehealth, and mobilize resources accordingly.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Pfister was deeply committed to mentorship and leadership development. She established the Vitalyst Spark program, which provided training and funding to emerging leaders in health philanthropy, with a focus on women and people of color. Many of today's prominent figures in Arizona's nonprofit sector credit her with opening doors and providing guidance. "Suzanne didn't just lead; she lifted others up," said Maria Hernandez, a former mentee who now heads a community health center in Tucson. "She taught us that true change comes from empowering communities, not dictating solutions."

Pfister's approach to philanthropy was holistic, often blending health with broader social determinants like education, housing, and economic opportunity. She spearheaded the foundation's Systems Change Grants, which supported innovative projects such as urban farming initiatives in food deserts and partnerships with schools to integrate mental health education. Her vision was to create a "healthier Arizona for all," a phrase that became Vitalyst's mantra. In 2018, she led the charge on a statewide assessment of health needs, resulting in a comprehensive report that influenced policy decisions, including increased funding for behavioral health services.

On a personal level, Pfister was known for her warmth, humor, and unwavering optimism. She was an avid hiker, often exploring Arizona's trails with her husband, David, whom she married in 1985. The couple had two children, Emily and Michael, and four grandchildren, all of whom she adored. Family vacations to national parks were a cherished tradition, where she instilled in her loved ones the same appreciation for nature and community that defined her life. Pfister was also a passionate reader, with a library filled with books on history, social justice, and leadership. In her spare time, she volunteered at local animal shelters, reflecting her belief in compassion extending to all living beings.

Tributes have poured in from across the state and nation since news of her passing. Governor Katie Hobbs issued a statement praising Pfister as "a beacon of hope and progress in Arizona's health landscape." The Arizona Public Health Association plans to honor her with a lifetime achievement award at its annual conference later this year. Vitalyst's board chair, Dr. Elena Rios, announced that the foundation will establish the Suzanne Pfister Fund for Health Equity in her memory, aimed at continuing her work in innovative grantmaking.

Pfister's battle with ovarian cancer, diagnosed in 2022, was faced with the same resilience she brought to her professional life. She continued working part-time, advocating for cancer research and patient support programs through Vitalyst. In a final message shared with staff, she wrote, "Health is not just the absence of illness; it's the presence of purpose, community, and equity. Keep fighting for that."

Suzanne Pfister's legacy is etched into the fabric of Arizona's health system. Through her leadership at Vitalyst, she not only funded change but inspired it, fostering collaborations that have saved lives and strengthened communities. Her passing leaves a void, but her impact endures in the healthier, more equitable Arizona she helped build. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and a vast network of colleagues and friends who will carry her vision forward.

In reflecting on her life, it's clear that Pfister embodied the essence of transformative leadership. She understood that true philanthropy goes beyond dollars—it's about building systems that empower people to thrive. From her early days in Illinois to her final years in Phoenix, she remained committed to the idea that everyone deserves a fair shot at health and well-being. As Arizona grapples with ongoing challenges like healthcare access in rural areas and the lingering effects of pandemics, Pfister's strategies offer a roadmap. Her emphasis on cross-sector partnerships, for instance, has proven vital in addressing complex issues like opioid addiction and maternal health disparities.

One particularly noteworthy initiative under her tenure was the Vitalyst Health Innovation Challenge, launched in 2015, which invited entrepreneurs and nonprofits to pitch ideas for improving health outcomes. Winners received seed funding and mentorship, leading to breakthroughs like mobile health clinics serving migrant farmworkers and apps connecting patients with affordable mental health resources. This program alone has spawned over 50 startups, many of which continue to operate today, demonstrating Pfister's foresight in blending philanthropy with entrepreneurship.

Moreover, Pfister was a staunch advocate for environmental health, recognizing the links between climate change and public well-being. She supported grants for clean air initiatives in Phoenix's urban core, where pollution disproportionately affects low-income families. Her holistic view extended to cultural competency in healthcare, funding training programs for providers to better serve Arizona's diverse populations, including its large Latino and Indigenous communities.

Colleagues often described her as a "connector," someone who could bring disparate groups together for common goals. At national conferences, she was a sought-after speaker, sharing insights on sustainable philanthropy and the role of foundations in policy advocacy. Her influence reached Washington, D.C., where she collaborated with federal agencies on grants for community health workers.

In her later years, Pfister focused on legacy-building, ensuring Vitalyst's endurance beyond her leadership. She mentored her successor and established endowments for long-term projects. Her philosophy—that health equity is a right, not a privilege—resonates now more than ever in a state facing demographic shifts and economic pressures.

As we bid farewell to Suzanne Pfister, it's impossible not to feel the weight of her absence. Yet, in the programs she championed, the leaders she inspired, and the lives she touched, her spirit lives on. Arizona is undoubtedly healthier because of her, and her story serves as a reminder of what one dedicated individual can achieve. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full AZ Central Article at:
[ https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2025/07/21/suzanne-pfister-vitalyst-obituary-phoenix-health-leader/85316232007/ ]