Noted health care executive, Pitzer College graduate

Elizabeth Russell, noted health care executive, has died. Her family announced her passing on September 26 in La Jolla, California. She was 72 years of age. The cause of death was esophageal cancer.

Born in Pasadena in 1951, Elizabeth grew up in La Cañada, California and attended Westridge School for Girls. She was one of the early coed graduates of Pitzer College in Claremont. In the mid-1980’s she had the good fortune to meet and marry John Urabec, who became her best friend and life partner. Together, they found love and a rich life with their extended family. A spiritual person, she was grateful for her relationship with God.

After earning her MBA from the University of Southern California, she began a career in health care management. Her early work focused on contract negotiating and strategic network development. She moved into senior management roles at Healthcare Partners Medical Group, Heritage Provider Group, and Scan Health Plan, where she was the president and CEO of Scan Health Plan of Arizona. The last four years of her work were spent on starting a new company, agilon Health, that was closely aligned with her beliefs on rethinking care for seniors.

During her retirement, she was a trustee of Westridge School for Girls and co-founder of the Westridge Forever Fund, an endowment to create equitable, financial assistance for deserving students.

She is survived by her husband, John Urabec; sisters Margaret and Mary Russell; nephews Matthew and Scott Krugler, and Luke Fadem; and niece Anna Fadem.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Westridge School for Girls designated for “The Forever Fund 1969 Endowment” at westridge.org/giving, or by check to 324 Madeline Dr., Pasadena, CA 91105.

A celebration of life is pending.