Arizona Watcher
John F. Duval died June 9, 2026, in Tucson after a battle with pancreatic cancer; family members were at his side.
Born Nov. 7, 1952, in Pasadena, Duval graduated from Arcadia High, served as a Navy reservist, earned a BS in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine in 1976 and worked in research at UC Irvine and Brookhaven National Laboratory.
He earned an MBA from UC Irvine in 1981 and held senior administrative roles at UC Irvine, University of Colorado Denver, University of Arizona and Virginia Commonwealth University, focusing on quality and safety in academic medicine.
As CEO of VCU Hospitals and Clinics from 2003 to 2016, Duval oversaw additions including the Children’s Hospital of Richmond and the Critical Care Hospital; VCU earned top honors for safety and was ranked No. 1 in Virginia.
Duval served with national organizations including the ACGME, American College of Healthcare Executives, Veterans Health Administration and the AHA; he received the Jerome F. Strauss Award in 2017 and worked on international GME partnerships.
He was an active volunteer with La Frontera Arizona, Rotary, the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs and other local groups, and frequently helped friends and neighbors navigate the medical system.
An avid traveler and outdoorsman who explored every continent and the American Southwest, Duval is survived by his wife Valli, children Dari and Devin, and three grandchildren; donations may be made to the John F. and Valli S. Duval Endowed Professorship.
John F. Duval died June 9, 2026, in Tucson after a battle with pancreatic cancer. A career academic hospital administrator and community volunteer, Duval's work ranged from research in the sciences to leadership roles in several university medical centers and service with…