Barbara Firminger Joins Southwest Behavioral & Health Services Board of Directors

(PHOENIX – July 26, 2022) Southwest Behavioral & Health Services (SB&H), an innovative integrated health leader, announced it has appointed Barbara Firminger to the board of directors.

An industry veteran with more than 25 years of operational and healthcare leadership experience, Firminger has held various strategic roles for nonprofit and for-profit healthcare organizations. Her specialties include improving bottom-line performance, market strategy and implementation, developing network partnerships, project management, and data analytics.

“Barbara’s broad knowledge of healthcare management, including practice acquisitions, integration, population health strategies, and value-based payment optimization, will be a real asset to our organization,” says CEO Steven Sheets. “Her experience and excellent interpersonal skills make her a great addition to our board of directors.”

Firminger currently works as an agent for CARR, the nation’s leading commercial real estate services firm specializing in advising healthcare providers. Previous positions include CEO of Bayless Integrated Healthcare, chief administrative officer/chief access officer at Northern Arizona Healthcare and CEO of Physician Groups for IASIS Healthcare, vice president of Vail Valley Medical Center, COO of Kids Care of Michigan, and senior vice president of operations for Irving General Hospital.

Firminger earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics from Duke University and her MBA in Healthcare Administration from Boston University.

About Southwest Behavioral & Health Services

Phoenix-based Southwest Behavioral & Health Services (SB&H) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides compassionate primary care, substance abuse, and mental health services that enhance lives and improve communities. Services include outpatient mental health treatment and psychiatric services, including medication monitoring; assistance for persons with addictions; intensive inpatient care for persons in crisis; residential housing, in-home and supported housing services; prevention services, community outreach, and school-based counseling; lifespan services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder; and four opioid replacement clinics. Southwest Behavioral & Health Services has locations throughout the greater Phoenix Metro area and in rural Maricopa, Gila, Mohave, Coconino, and Yavapai counties. For more information about SB&H programs, services, and ways to help, visit https://www.sbhservices.org/.