Phoenix Children’s Taps Top Execs to Drive Major Growth Strategy

PHOENIX, AZ – March 19, 2026 – Phoenix Children's is fortifying its leadership ranks with two nationally recognized healthcare executives, signaling a decisive move to accelerate its ambitious strategic vision under new CEO John R. Nickens IV. The health system has named Catherine Codispoti, MHA, as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, and Stephanie Kearney, MBA, MHA, FACHE, as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer.

The appointments are a cornerstone of the new era Nickens has ushered in since taking the helm in October 2025. His "bold new vision to improve the health of a generation" is now backed by a leadership team handpicked to turn that vision into reality.

"Having worked with Catherine and Stephanie previously, I know firsthand how impactful they will be as we create strategic plans to turn this vision into action," said Nickens, President and CEO of Phoenix Children's. This personal endorsement underscores the strategic importance of these hires, moving beyond simple recruitment to a deliberate construction of a proven, cohesive leadership team.

A New Vision for a Growing System

Since his arrival, Nickens has focused on sharpening the system's strategic priorities and strengthening its internal culture. His vision is built on several key pillars: continuing the system's transformational growth to serve Arizona's booming pediatric population, expanding academic partnerships to cultivate future clinicians, and fostering a "culture-first" organization that supports its extensive workforce.

These new appointments directly align with that blueprint. Codispoti is tasked with overseeing the internal architecture of the organization—its people and processes—while Kearney will architect its external growth and market position. Together, they represent a comprehensive approach to building a more resilient, expansive, and impactful pediatric health system. The move comes as Phoenix Children's is in the midst of an unprecedented expansion, solidifying its status as one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing pediatric health systems.

Fortifying the Foundation from Within

Catherine Codispoti, who will join in July, steps into the crucial role of EVP and Chief Administrative Officer. She will be responsible for the well-being and development of Phoenix Children's more than 8,000 employees, leading Human Resources, Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Public Affairs. Her mandate includes long-range workforce development and cultural engagement—a critical task amid a national shortage of pediatric healthcare professionals.

Codispoti brings a wealth of experience from some of the nation's most prominent health systems. She comes to Phoenix from Mercy, an $11 billion system with 50,000 employees, where she served as Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. Under her leadership, Mercy was recognized as a "Best-in-Class Employer" for its commitment to caregiver well-being. Before that, she was Chief People Officer at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., where her data-driven strategies led to measurable improvements in employee retention and engagement. Her thirteen-year tenure at Texas Children's Hospital further deepened her expertise in pediatric healthcare administration.

"The opportunity to return to pediatric healthcare and help shape the future of children's health, and the health of the community, is incredibly meaningful to me," said Codispoti. Her return to pediatrics, specifically to work alongside Nickens, highlights a powerful alignment of vision and purpose aimed at strengthening the organization from its core.

Architecting Strategy and Expanding Reach

Joining in April, Stephanie Kearney will take on the role of SVP and Chief Strategy Officer, a position designed to guide the health system's continued expansion across the Southwest. She will oversee enterprise strategy, market and regional growth, community engagement, and marketing and communications.

Kearney’s more than 15 years of experience are heavily focused on the very areas Phoenix Children's has prioritized: system growth, ambulatory strategy, and service line expansion. She joins from Cody Regional Health in Wyoming, where as Chief Ambulatory Officer, she led strategic growth initiatives. Her previous leadership roles at Vail Health and Baylor College of Medicine involved managing complex clinical operations and driving service line development. Notably, her experience also includes a previous role at Texas Children's Hospital, creating another link to the proven leadership ecosystem Nickens is building.

Her expertise is particularly timely. Phoenix Children's recently opened its $195 million Hospital-Arrowhead Campus and is nearing completion of its Hospital-East Valley campus, which is set to make the system the fourth-largest pediatric health system in the United States. Kearney will be tasked with integrating these new assets into a cohesive regional strategy, expanding access to care for families across Arizona.

"Phoenix Children's is a dynamic pediatric health system and I'm thrilled to join the organization at such an exciting time," Kearney stated. "I look forward to partnering with our clinical and operational leaders to shape strategies that expand access, strengthen community partnerships and position Phoenix Children's for continued growth."

A Calculated Move in a Competitive Landscape

These executive appointments are a strategic response to the dynamic realities of modern pediatric healthcare. While Phoenix Children's stands as Arizona's only pediatric-focused health system and is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the state's #1 children's hospital, the regional landscape includes formidable competitors like Banner Health and Dignity Health, which also offer pediatric services.

By bringing in a CAO with a proven record in workforce retention and a CSO with deep experience in market expansion, Phoenix Children's is proactively addressing industry-wide challenges while capitalizing on its unique market position. The dual focus on strengthening internal culture and aggressively pursuing external growth demonstrates a sophisticated strategy aimed at not just competing, but leading the pediatric health sector in the Southwest for years to come. The combined expertise of Codispoti and Kearney, under Nickens' leadership, positions the organization to enhance its operational excellence and extend its mission to more children and families across the region.