Mercy Gilbert Medical Center - Executive Team
Mario Garner, EdD, FACHE
President, Dignity Health East Valley
Mario Garner, EdD, FACHE, is the president of Dignity Health East Valley, which includes Chandler Regional Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, and Arizona General Hospital—Mesa. Before joining Dignity Health, Mario was president of St. Luke’s Health - The Vintage Hospital, a CommonSpirit Health hospital in Houston, Texas. He also served as chief operations officer for Memorial Hermann Health System in CommonSpirit's Southeast Market.
Mario holds a doctorate of education from the University of Houston, a master of healthcare administration from Tulane University and a bachelor of science in microbiology from Louisiana State University. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of Health Service Executives, and the Association for University Programs in Healthcare Administration board.
Mario Garner, EdD, FACHE
President, Dignity Health East Valley
Mario Garner, EdD, FACHE, is the president of Dignity Health East Valley, which includes Chandler Regional Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, and Arizona General Hospital—Mesa. Before joining Dignity Health, Mario was president of St. Luke’s Health - The Vintage Hospital, a CommonSpirit Health hospital in Houston, Texas. He also served as chief operations officer for Memorial Hermann Health System in CommonSpirit's Southeast Market.
Mario holds a doctorate of education from the University of Houston, a master of healthcare administration from Tulane University and a bachelor of science in microbiology from Louisiana State University. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of Health Service Executives, and the Association for University Programs in Healthcare Administration board.
Jeff McBee, MHA, MBA
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Jeff McBee is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.
Prior to his position with Dignity Health, Jeff served as Administrator of Rust Medical Center at Presbyterian Healthcare Services in New Mexico. He previously served in various leadership roles in hospital operations and supply chain at Maricopa Integrated Healthcare System, Phoenix; Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Tex., Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, and Guthrie Healthcare System in Sayre, Pa.
Jeff received his bachelor’s in psychology, master’s of health administration, and master’s of business administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Jeff McBee, MHA, MBA
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Jeff McBee is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.
Prior to his position with Dignity Health, Jeff served as Administrator of Rust Medical Center at Presbyterian Healthcare Services in New Mexico. He previously served in various leadership roles in hospital operations and supply chain at Maricopa Integrated Healthcare System, Phoenix; Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Tex., Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, and Guthrie Healthcare System in Sayre, Pa.
Jeff received his bachelor’s in psychology, master’s of health administration, and master’s of business administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Aaron Mickelson, DO, MPH, MHM
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Aaron Mickelson is the chief medical officer for Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Arizona General Hospital—Mesa. He oversees clinical operations and leads the hospital’s initiatives for quality care standards, patient safety, patient experience and resource utilization.
Dr. Mickelson was an emergency medicine physician with Arizona General before he became CMO in 2025. Before joining Arizona General Hospital, he provided care and services at Dignity Health Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers as a member of Premier Emergency Medical Services. Dr. Mickelson started his career as a health unit coordinator at Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.
Dr. Mickelson earned his doctor of osteopathic medicine and a master of public health from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. He holds a master of healthcare management from the University of Arizona.
Aaron Mickelson, DO, MPH, MHM
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Aaron Mickelson is the chief medical officer for Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Arizona General Hospital—Mesa. He oversees clinical operations and leads the hospital’s initiatives for quality care standards, patient safety, patient experience and resource utilization.
Dr. Mickelson was an emergency medicine physician with Arizona General before he became CMO in 2025. Before joining Arizona General Hospital, he provided care and services at Dignity Health Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers as a member of Premier Emergency Medical Services. Dr. Mickelson started his career as a health unit coordinator at Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.
Dr. Mickelson earned his doctor of osteopathic medicine and a master of public health from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. He holds a master of healthcare management from the University of Arizona.
David Smeed, RN, MSN
Chief Nursing Executive
David Smeed serves as chief nursing officer for Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Arizona General Hospital—Mesa. Prior to becoming CNO, he served as senior director of nursing at MGMC.
David joined Dignity Health in 2016 and has served in a number of leadership roles, including Director of Nursing for telemetry, medical/surgical services, wound care, and observation. David helps exceed quality goals and achieve top patient and employee experience scores.
David holds both a Bachelor and a Master of Science in Nursing, and is an active member of several quality improvement, program development, and service line committees.
David Smeed, RN, MSN
Chief Nursing Executive
David Smeed serves as chief nursing officer for Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Arizona General Hospital—Mesa. Prior to becoming CNO, he served as senior director of nursing at MGMC.
David joined Dignity Health in 2016 and has served in a number of leadership roles, including Director of Nursing for telemetry, medical/surgical services, wound care, and observation. David helps exceed quality goals and achieve top patient and employee experience scores.
David holds both a Bachelor and a Master of Science in Nursing, and is an active member of several quality improvement, program development, and service line committees.
Ed Jones
Vice President of Operations
Ed Jones is the vice president of operations for Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Arizona General Hospital—Mesa. Ed has more than 25 years of leadership experience in ensuring quality patient care, including serving as the Director of Imaging Services for Dignity Health East Valley since 2006. Ed has also provided leadership for the weight loss clinic, interpreter services and, most recently, centralized scheduling.
Prior to joining Dignity Health in 2006, Ed served as Director of imaging services in Grosse Point, Michigan, as well as a Lead CT and Radiologic Technologist in Michigan. He began his career in health care as a radiologic technologist in Beaufort, South Carolina and earned his Master of Science Management at Colorado Technical University.
Ed Jones
Vice President of Operations
Ed Jones is the vice president of operations for Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Arizona General Hospital—Mesa. Ed has more than 25 years of leadership experience in ensuring quality patient care, including serving as the Director of Imaging Services for Dignity Health East Valley since 2006. Ed has also provided leadership for the weight loss clinic, interpreter services and, most recently, centralized scheduling.
Prior to joining Dignity Health in 2006, Ed served as Director of imaging services in Grosse Point, Michigan, as well as a Lead CT and Radiologic Technologist in Michigan. He began his career in health care as a radiologic technologist in Beaufort, South Carolina and earned his Master of Science Management at Colorado Technical University.
John Bauer, CPA, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
John Bauer is the chief financial officer for Dignity Health East Valley. He provides financial oversight and assistance in meeting financial and strategic goals for Chandler Regional Medical Center , Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, and Arizona General Hospital—Mesa.
John has held various positions of increased responsibility including Accountant at CRMC and MGMC, as well as Senior Financial Analyst and Accounting Manager. He was Director of Accounting and Reporting for Dignity Health in Arizona, and Director of Financial Operations at Dignity Health St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.
John received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Illinois State University and master’s degree in business administration from W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
John Bauer, CPA, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
John Bauer is the chief financial officer for Dignity Health East Valley. He provides financial oversight and assistance in meeting financial and strategic goals for Chandler Regional Medical Center , Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, and Arizona General Hospital—Mesa.
John has held various positions of increased responsibility including Accountant at CRMC and MGMC, as well as Senior Financial Analyst and Accounting Manager. He was Director of Accounting and Reporting for Dignity Health in Arizona, and Director of Financial Operations at Dignity Health St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.
John received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Illinois State University and master’s degree in business administration from W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.