El Rio Acquires North Country HealthCare, Appoints Experienced Leader to Oversee Transition

David Rogers named executive vice president to stabilize and expand Elk Ridge Community Health clinics across northern Arizona

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:26pm

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A translucent X-ray photograph revealing the intricate internal structure of a stethoscope and other medical equipment, conceptually representing the complex transition of healthcare services in northern Arizona.The acquisition of North Country HealthCare by El Rio Health aims to stabilize and expand critical healthcare services across northern Arizona.Tucson Today

In a major shift for healthcare in northern Arizona, Tucson-based community health provider El Rio Health has officially acquired most of the assets of the bankrupt North Country HealthCare. El Rio has hired most of North Country's remaining employees and assumed responsibility for delivering patient care at North Country's 12 remaining clinic locations, which have been renamed Elk Ridge Community Health. El Rio has appointed David Rogers, an experienced healthcare executive, as the on-site leader to oversee the transition.

Why it matters

The acquisition of North Country HealthCare by El Rio Health ensures the continuation of critical healthcare services for over 50,000 patients across northern Arizona who previously relied on North Country. The transition aims to stabilize operations, retain staff, and expand services to meet the region's healthcare needs.

The details

As part of the acquisition, El Rio has hired approximately 99% of North Country's remaining employees and will maintain all 12 clinic locations under the new Elk Ridge Community Health brand. Rogers, who has decades of experience leading federally qualified health centers, will focus on integrating Elk Ridge's operations with El Rio's systems, rebuilding pharmacy services, and recruiting and retaining staff to ensure continuity of care for patients.

  • On March 27, 2026, El Rio announced the appointment of David Rogers as the new executive vice president to lead Elk Ridge Community Health.
  • On April 6, 2026, all Elk Ridge clinics are expected to transition to El Rio's new digital records management system.
  • Over the next 3-4 weeks, Elk Ridge will work to have the full complement of pharmacy inventory available at its three clinic locations.

The players

David Rogers

A healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience leading federally qualified health centers, including a 20-year tenure as CEO of Sunset Community Health Center in Yuma, Arizona. Rogers will serve as the executive vice president of El Rio Health, with a focus on overseeing the operations of the Elk Ridge Community Health clinics.

Clinton Kuntz

The CEO of El Rio Health, who has spearheaded the acquisition of North Country HealthCare's assets and the transition to Elk Ridge Community Health.

Anne Newland

The former CEO of North Country HealthCare, who will not have any role with Elk Ridge Community Health or El Rio Health.

El Rio Health

A Tucson-based community health provider that has acquired most of the assets of the bankrupt North Country HealthCare and will be operating the 12 Elk Ridge Community Health clinics across northern Arizona.

North Country HealthCare

A bankrupt nonprofit healthcare provider that previously operated 12 clinics across northern Arizona, which have now been acquired by El Rio Health and rebranded as Elk Ridge Community Health.

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What they’re saying

“It's a pleasure to be here to help El Rio operate these clinics in a manner that's going to sustain Elk Ridge Community Health for many, many years.”

— David Rogers, Executive Vice President, El Rio Health

“We recognize they need it for survival, they need it for quality of life.”

— David Rogers, Executive Vice President, El Rio Health

“Everything that currently goes on in the Elk Ridge clinics, we'll continue to provide those services. Our goal and desire is not to get rid of services, it's to expand and grow services. Improve the access to those services.”

— David Rogers, Executive Vice President, El Rio Health

What’s next

Over the next few months, Elk Ridge Community Health will work to complete the licensure process for the federal 340B drug pricing program, which will help improve the long-term financial sustainability of the clinics.

The takeaway

The acquisition of North Country HealthCare by El Rio Health ensures the continuation of critical healthcare services for thousands of patients across northern Arizona, while also providing an opportunity to stabilize operations, retain staff, and expand services to better meet the region's healthcare needs.