Arizona, AzPHA, and so many of us lost a good friend and mentor this week. Pete Wertheim passed away yesterday after courageously facing brain cancer. We will all miss Pete, his smile, sense of humor, his easy way, and his dedication to good solid public policy.
Pete was a long-time sustaining member of AzPHA, served on the Board of Directors and as Board President in 2011. Pete worked really hard to improve AzPHA’s business and other processes – working closely with AzPHA Executive Director Jennifer Bonnet to build us into the organization that we are today. Here’s what Jennifer shared about Pete…
“I remember Pete for “how” he accomplished rather than “what.” He worked with such warmth and humor that everyone felt welcome and engaged around him. We worked together on many tough legislative issues, yet, I am recalling our more casual exchanges at a pub with colleagues after a long day at work.”
Many of you worked with Pete professionally and personally… and you know that Pete was just so authentic and just such an all around good guy. He was committed to good public policy and transparency and was always on the lookout to set policy that would work effectively in the long run. He called things out when he saw things that were sneaky, inefficient, or just plain wacky. He knew and taught us that the devil was in the details.
I got to know Pete really well when he was the Chief Legislative Liaison for the ADHS during the time when Susan Gerard was the Director. Pete was just so good at tracking all the bills and always keeping us informed. He taught us to dive into the details of bills to figure out what effect they might have on the people.
Pete and Susan worked hard to get the financing needed to build a new Forensic Unit at the Arizona State Hospital. His work paid off in 2008 when the agency was able to get funding for the new facility just before the recession. The former ASH Wick Units were many decades old (built in the early 60s) and were just inconsistent with providing a safe and therapeutic environment.
It was challenging getting 10’s of millions of dollars from the legislature for a new forensic unit, but Pete didn’t give up- he just worked so hard to get that important facility funded. What did it was the way he could connect with legislators that made it happen.
Barb Fanning, a good friend of Pete and co-worker during his time at the ADHS put it this way…
“Pete was one of the most genuine people I have ever known. He loved his work and had an unrivaled work ethic. He also brought a refreshing sincerity to all of his relationships, both personal and professional – everyone who knew Pete adored him. The healthcare industry in Arizona is better because of him, but the people who work in it are missing a great advocate and a dear friend.”
Most recently Pete served for several years as the Executive Director for the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association. Before that, he worked for a year as the Communication and Public Affairs chief for the City of Prescott. He started that job practically the same week as the devastating Yarnell fire.
His career also included working as the VP for Communications and the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. His early career was as a Legislative Research Analyst and Policy Advisor for the Arizona House of Representatives. That’s where he really refined his policy chops.
But most of all… Pete was just a really good person. Always there with an easy smile and an interesting story. A good friend. We’ll all miss him.