Honoring the Legacy of Linda Hunt
We are heartbroken over the passing of Linda Hunt, an exceptional human being and an extraordinary health care leader who retired as president and CEO of Dignity Health’s Southwest Market in 2022, after 51 years of service to the health care industry.
Linda joined Dignity Health (formerly Catholic Healthcare West), in 1998 and since 2009 led Dignity Health’s Southwest Division, which includes St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center and St. Joseph's Westgate Medical Center, as well as other Dignity Health hospitals, freestanding urgent care and emergency care centers. Under her leadership, the division has grown into a respected and comprehensive health care system, which is anchored by 11 outstanding hospitals in Arizona and Nevada.
Linda had a deep connection to St. Joseph’s, where she served as the hospital’s president and CEO for more than 10 years. Under her guidance, St. Joseph’s became a world-renowned academic medical institution, bringing prestige and recognition to the region by elevating Barrow Neurological Institute and establishing Norton Thoracic Institute.
Linda’s remarkable career started from humble beginnings. She worked as a clerk at Walgreens and later a secretary at a Louisiana construction company before enrolling in nursing school. From there she worked her way up – first as a nurse, then a nurse leader, a hospital executive, a hospital president and finally a division president within CommonSpirit Health.
Linda, who is often described as a leader with a servant’s heart, has led with grace, purpose, and a forceful vision throughout her career. Her mission-driven devotion to improving the health of all people, especially to those who are vulnerable, while advancing social justice, has enriched the lives of thousands of individuals.
Your gift will be dedicated to the Linda Hunt Nurse Leader Scholarship Fund, which Linda established in 2024, to provide the needed funding for continuing education for new nurse leaders at St. Joseph’s.
Please make a gift in memory of Linda, recognizing her dedication to improving the lives of others through health care!