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The Valleywise Health Board of Directors has selected Michael D. White, MD, MBA, as the next President and Chief Executive Officer.
Michael D. White, MD, MBA, is an accomplished physician executive with extensive experience leading clinical operations, academic medicine and healthcare strategy within large, complex health systems. As the current President and Chief Executive Officer for Valleywise Health, Arizona’s public teaching hospital and safety-net health system, he collaborates closely with executive leadership, physician partners, and clinical teams to guide the organization’s strategic direction and advance its mission of providing exceptional care without exception.
Since joining Valleywise Health in 2019 as Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. White has been a key member of the executive leadership team during one of the most significant periods in the organization’s history. Working alongside executive leadership, he has helped guide Valleywise Health through the opening of its state-of-the-art medical center, the expansion of specialty and behavioral health services, continued growth of graduate medical education programs, and initiatives to strengthen clinical quality, patient safety, operational performance, and the overall patient experience. He has also played an integral role in strengthening strategic partnerships with District Medical Group and the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance, reinforcing Valleywise Health’s position as Arizona’s premier public teaching health system.
Prior to joining Valleywise Health, Dr. White served as Chief Academic Officer for CHI Health in Omaha, Nebraska, where he provided executive leadership for academic medicine, physician education, and clinical innovation across a large, multi-state health system. He also serves as Associate Dean for Technology and Informatics at the Creighton University School of Medicine, helping advance medical education through innovation and technology.
A practicing interventional cardiologist, Dr. White is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and interventional cardiology. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to improving patient outcomes while fostering collaboration among physicians, caregivers, and healthcare leaders to build stronger, more integrated healthcare organizations.
Recognizing that today’s healthcare leaders must possess expertise beyond clinical medicine, Dr. White earned his Master of Business Administration from Creighton University in 2019, complementing his medical training with formal education in strategy, finance, organizational leadership, and healthcare operations.
As both a physician and healthcare executive, Dr. White is committed to ensuring Valleywise Health fulfills its mission of providing exceptional care without exception, every patient, every time, while advancing innovation, improving access to care, and strengthening the health of the communities it serves.
Dr. White earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology, Doctor of Medicine, and Master of Business Administration from Creighton University. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Creighton University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in interventional cardiology at Duke University.
“Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Dr. White as Valleywise Health has evolved into one of the nation’s leading public teaching hospitals and safety-net health systems. He is a steady, thoughtful leader whose clinical expertise provides unique insight into how operational decisions impact patients, caregivers, and the community. Dr. White approaches every challenge with integrity, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to doing what’s right for those we serve. I can think of no one better prepared to build on our momentum.”
“Selecting the next CEO of Valleywise Health was among the most important responsibilities entrusted to our Board. We approached this decision with great care, and Dr. White emerged as the clear choice because he brings the rare combination of executive leadership, operational expertise, strategic vision, and a deep understanding of our mission and the communities we serve. Having helped lead Valleywise Health through a period of remarkable growth and transformation, he is uniquely positioned to build upon the strong foundation established by Steve Purves and guide our organization into the future.”
Chair, Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors
District 2
“Throughout my career, I have believed that every person deserves access to high-quality healthcare, regardless of their circumstances. Dr. White shares that belief. He understands that Valleywise Health is more than a hospital system; it is a lifeline for our community. His leadership is rooted in service, compassion and a deep commitment to ensuring our public teaching hospital and safety-net health system remains strong for generations to come.”
Vice Chair, Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors
District 5
“During my 20 years at Valleywise Health, I had the privilege to work alongside exceptional leaders and witness this organization evolve through both challenges and remarkable achievements. Dr. White has been an integral part of that journey. He understands our mission, our people and the complexities of leading a public teaching hospital and safety-net health system. I have complete confidence that Valleywise Health’s future is in capable hands.”
Director, Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors
District 1
“Great organizations succeed by remaining grounded in their mission while continually adapting to meet their future needs. Dr. White brings that balance of strategic vision, operational leadership, and unwavering commitment to service. He understands both the complexity of leading a large public health system and the importance of building strong partnerships, investing in innovation, and preparing Valleywise Health to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our community. I am confident he will continue building on the strong foundation already in place while positioning Valleywise Health for long-term success.”
Director, Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors
District 3
“Valleywise Health exists to serve the people of Maricopa County. Dr. White understands that responsibility. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated that every decision should begin and end with what’s best for our patients and our community. That commitment, combined with his collaborative leadership style and deep understanding of our health system, makes him the right person to lead Valleywise Health into the future.”
Director, Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors
District 4
May 2019
Graduates as part of the first Executive Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management cohort at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.
Aug 2019
Joins Valleywise Health as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.
Jan 2020
Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance.
Mar 2020
Announces first COVID-19 patient at Valleywise Health Medical Center.
Jun 2020
Appears on “Good Morning America” national broadcast to discuss the burgeoning pandemic.
Jun 2020
Begins weekly media briefings on COVID-19 and its impact on Valleywise Health, continuing throughout the pandemic.
Jan 2021
Appears on ABC News national broadcast as Arizona becomes pandemic hot spot.
Sep 2021
Continued organizational evolution for Chief Clinical Officer.
Nov 2021
Honored by the Arizona Public Health Association with the Pete Wertheim Leadership Award, recognized by AzPHA executive director Will Humble for showing “remarkable leadership, courage, and candor during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
May 2022
Honored by the Phoenix Business Journal as one of our community’s Most Admired Leaders.
Jul 2023
Elected Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance.
Sep 2023
Appears on NBC News national broadcast to discuss Arizona’s record heat wave.
Nov 2023
Becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance.
Jun 2024
Leads clinical teams through the historic one-day move of over 200 patients from the legacy “county” hospital to the new Valleywise Health Medical Center. “The single most important factor in our success was the outstanding dedication displayed by our Valleywise Health staff, providers and volunteers,” White said.
Aug 2024
Recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review in its 2024 list of “180 Hospital and Health Systems Chief Medical Officers to Know.”
Jul 2025
Appears on Becker’s Healthcare podcast to discuss the future of Valleywise Health.
Aug 2025
Re-elected chairman of the Board of Directors for the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance.
May 2026
Named “One of the Best 100 Doctors in Arizona” by AZ Business Magazine.
Jul 2026
Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer by the Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors.