Our Team

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Derick Wheeler

Practice Manager

Julia Deen

Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

Michelle Bradley

Memory Care Navigator

Sarah Fagus

Health Educator & Nutritionist

Annette Mendonca

Community Education Coordinator

Melissa Felix

Community Outreach Coordinator

Brooke Samuelson

Licensed Massage Therapist

Cassi VanCleave

Front Desk Coordinator

Brenda Luke

Receptionist
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Joseph E. La Rue

President
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John Couture

Chief Optimization Officer
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Nora Hannah

Chief Engagement Officer

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Kim Thompson

Chief Experience Officer

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Amy Runge

Chief Financial Officer
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Impact Stories

Hear from community members whose lives were positively impacted by Sun Health Wellness programs and services.

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Class Calendar

We update our class calendar every month and always have new topics to cover.
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Sun Health Foundation Helps Support Sun Health Wellness

Sun Health Wellness services and programs are provided at little to no cost to the community, thanks to the passionate and generous support from Sun Health Foundation and its donors.

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(623)  471-9355

[email protected]

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Joseph E. La Rue

President
Joined Sun Health: 2005

Joe La Rue is the president and CEO of Sun Health, a local nonprofit organization that champions healthy living, research and superior health care through community partnerships. Prior to his position as CEO, Joe was Sun Health’s Executive Vice President.

Before joining Sun Health in 2005, Joe practiced law in the Sun Cities area for 16 years with an emphasis in real estate, finance, development and health care, working closely with Sun Health. Since 1988, Joe has served in many elected and appointed positions including the Peoria City Council, WESTMARC, Arizona State Transportation Board, Maricopa Association of Governments, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Maricopa County Transportation Board and other Peoria and City of Surprise committees.

In 2012, Joe was appointed to the Arizona State Transportation Board to represent Maricopa County, and still serves as Vice Chairman of the Board. La Rue is also a member of the WESTMARC Board of Directors. Previously, he was a member of the Maricopa County Transportation Advisory Board, representing District 4. From 1997 to 2001, La Rue was on the Peoria City Council.

Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1985 and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 1988. Joe has lived in Maricopa County for approximately 40 years and currently resides in Peoria with his wife Suzy. They have five daughters and three grandchildren.

John Couture

Chief Optimization Officer
Joined Sun Health: 2023

John Couture is Sun Health’s Chief Optimization Officer. He brings over 25 years in operations and technology leadership – many of those years in senior living and non-profit sectors.

In his role, Mr. Couture is charged with ensuring systems, processes and structures are all aligned with and optimized for the needs of the entire organization. Within his purview will be: Organizational Development and Learning, Human Resources, Technology, Legal, Real Estate, Joint Ventures and Acquisitions, and the Program Management Office.

Mr. Couture’s leadership tenure is enhanced by his passion and empathy for empowering those to live longer, healthier, more purposeful lives. Previous roles include: Chief Operating Officer for La Posada at Park Center in Tucson; Chief Operating Officer for Lutheran Life Communities in Arlington Heights, Illinois; Chief Information Officer for Lifespace Communities, Inc.; and Vice President at Athene USA – the latter two based in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Education and certifications include a Master of Science in Business Management & Organizational Development from the University of Louisville and certification in the Larry Minnix LeadingAge National Leadership Program.

Nora Hannah

Chief Engagement Officer
Joined Sun Health:

Nora Hannah provides strategic leadership to the Sun Health Foundation and Marketing Departments to support the communication of Sun Health’s impact, identity, mission, and purpose. Nora most recently served as Director of Arizona Together for Impact, a statewide initiative to support collaboration among nonprofit organizations. Previously, Nora served as Civic Engagement Strategy Advisor for Center for the Future of Arizona, and as Chief Executive Officer for Experience Matters. Nora’s expertise is in change management, start-up organizations, organizational leadership, strategic design, funding, and finance.

Practically a native Phoenician, having lived in the community since she was two years old. With over thirty years in service to the Valley, Nora demonstrates a strong commitment to the quality of life for all Arizonans. She is the recipient of the 1999 Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Athena Award and was recognized as one of the 2015 Outstanding Women in Business by the Phoenix Business Journal. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Arizona Theatre Company, and has previously chaired the Boards of YWCA, Valley Leadership, and Children’s Action Alliance.

Nora received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University and her MBA from Arizona State University.

Kim Thompson

Chief Experience Officer
Joined Sun Health:

Kim Thompson oversees Sun Health’s senior living operations at Grandview Terrace, La Loma Village, and The Colonnade, as well as Sun Health at Home. She brings with her 20 years of experience leading teams in skilled nursing facilities, rehab centers, independent living and life plan communities, and home care programs. Her previous roles include serving as Chief Operating Officer for Samaritas, one of Michigan’s largest faith-based, nonprofit health and human service agencies. She has also served as Vice President of Operations and Executive Director/Administrator for United Methodist Retirement Communities, LLC, Glacier Hills, Inc, and Michigan Medicine Home Care Services, all located in Michigan.

Kim earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and holds a MBA from Spring Harbor University. She is also a Fellow of the Larry Minnix National LeadingAge Leadership Academy.

Amy Runge

Chief Financial Officer
Joined Sun Health: 2023

Amy Runge is a highly accomplished finance and accounting professional with 38 years of extensive leadership experience in both the public and private sectors, primarily within the senior living and healthcare industries. As the Chief Financial Officer at Sun Health, she plays a crucial role in shaping the organization’s financial strategy, ensuring it aligns with long-term objectives while effectively navigating the complexities of the healthcare landscape.

Before her current role, Amy served as a Partner at Hardesty, providing expert financial consulting services focused on mergers, acquisitions, and financial restructuring for clients facing intricate challenges. With a proven track record as an audit partner at Moss Adams, she led the firm’s $6 million long-term care practice, building a strong client base and significantly expanding the healthcare sector in Northern California.

 Amy’s deep expertise in GAAP, COSO internal controls, and auditing standards, combined with her strong communication skills and customer service philosophy, have established her as a strategic and innovative thought leader. An active speaker at prominent healthcare trade associations, she also served on the board of the Moss Adams Foundation, demonstrating her commitment to community service and professional development.

Amy holds a BSBA with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance and a master’s in business administration, highlighting her dedication to financial excellence and leadership in the industry.