Sonora Quest Laboratories, the joint venture between Banner Health and Quest Diagnostics, has named Jennifer Erickson as its new chief executive officer‑elect. Erickson will begin her role on January 15 2026 and will work with outgoing CEO David Dexter through a transition period that starts on February 2, 2026, with Dexter’s retirement effective March 31, 2026.
Erickson brings more than two decades of health‑care operations experience, including a stint as Sonora Quest’s chief financial officer from 1999 to 2004. Dexter, who has led the company for 26 years, expressed confidence in Erickson’s leadership, noting that her long‑time mentorship has prepared her to continue the venture’s growth trajectory.
Sonora Quest operates over 70 patient service centers across Arizona and performs more than 100 million diagnostic tests annually, making it one of the nation’s largest integrated laboratory systems. The joint venture is a key component of Quest Diagnostics’ national network, and Erickson’s appointment signals a commitment to maintaining that integration while expanding the venture’s reach.
The transition comes amid Quest Diagnostics’ broader strategy of strengthening joint ventures and investing in technology. The company is advancing Project Nova, an Epic‑based IT modernization initiative designed to streamline customer‑facing processes and enhance data integration across its laboratories. Erickson’s experience in operations positions her to accelerate these efforts within Sonora Quest.
"I am honored to return to Sonora Quest and to build on the strong foundation laid by David and the team," Erickson said. "Our focus will be on deepening relationships with our partners and leveraging Quest’s technology to deliver faster, more accurate results to patients and providers."
Dexter reflected on his tenure, saying, "I am proud of the progress we’ve made together and confident that Jennifer will lead Sonora Quest into a new era of growth and innovation."
The leadership change is expected to provide continuity for Sonora Quest’s clients and partners while positioning the venture to capitalize on Quest Diagnostics’ national scale and technology investments. With Erickson at the helm, the joint venture is poised to strengthen its market leadership in Arizona and expand its service footprint across the United States.
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