Our Board of Directors New
Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Director
The Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors is the governing body for Valleywise Health. Each Board member represents one of the five districts in Maricopa County. Members of the District Board are elected by voters of Maricopa County and serve a four-year term.
Board Members
J. Woodfin Thomas
CHAIR - DISTRICT 4
Term of Office: 2022 – 2026
James Woodfin “Woody” Thomas was sworn in to office for his second four-year term in December 2022.
Thomas is the only West Valley resident to serve on the five-member elected body that oversees Valleywise Health, representing District 4, which includes many West Valley communities, including Litchfield Park, Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Peoria, Sun City, and Sun City West.
Thomas is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. He served as Mayor of Litchfield Park from 2000 to 2006, and as a member of the city’s planning and zoning commission from 2006 to 2012.
Born and raised in Towson, Maryland, Thomas received his bachelor’s degree in dairy science from University of Maryland College Park in 1975. He worked in the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1977 to 2016.
His other accomplishments include service as:
- President, Colorado Association of County Supervisors (a federally recognized employee association of professional employees)
- Chair, Management Committee, National Association of County Supervisors
- President, Arizona Association of Credit Specialist (formerly County Supervisors)
- Chair, Arizona Appraisers Coalition (representing 6 professional appraisal societies to the state Legislature)
- Litchfield Park Recreation, Arts, and Parks Commissioner
- Vice-Chair, Maricopa Association of Governments
- Chair, Maricopa Combined Federal Campaign
Thomas, who is widowed, has two daughters and one grandson.
Mark Dewane
VICE CHAIRMAN - DISTRICT 2
Term of Office: 2020 – 2024
Mark G. Dewane joined the Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors in December 2012. Mark has over 25 years of volunteer experience in Arizona.
Mark is a financial advisor by profession and serves as Senior Vice President of RBC Wealth Management in Phoenix. He has 34 years of experience in the finance field guiding clients through retirement planning, estate creation, wealth accumulation and insurance matters.
Mark is also very involved in volunteer activities with a number of community-based organizations. His involvement includes: The Phoenix Police Reserve Foundation, The Maricopa Health Foundation, Kitchen on the Street, The Foundation for Blind Children, The FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, ASU Alumni Association, The Scottsdale Business Development Forum, and several other advisory and planning roles. Over the past 20 years Mark has helped raise millions of dollars for the non-profit community.
Mark brings his passion for positive change to Valleywise Health with a sweeping vision to revitalize the state’s only public health care system. His goals include supporting management to build a bigger and better health care system; creating a better patient environment; enhancing the Valleywise Health brand; upgrading and enhancing outdated facilities.
Mark has lived in the Phoenix area since 1970 and received his bachelor’s degree in business management from Arizona State University in 1985. He also has taken graduate coursework through the Hanover Forum at The Wharton School.
Mark and his wife of 26 years have two adult children.
Mary A. Harden, RN
DIRECTOR - DISTRICT 1
Term of Office: 2020 – 2024
Mary A. Harden, RN, joined the Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors in 2012. She is in her second term on the board. She has over 40 years of experience as a registered nurse, including 32 years as an RN at Valleywise Health Medical Center.
Mary also serves on the boards of the MariSol Federal Credit Union and the Valleywise Health Foundation, and she is a volunteer with the Special Olympics of Arizona as a Health Promotion Clinical Director for athletes and Scottsdale Parks and Recreation Department as a swim mentor.
She is a member of the Association of Operating Room Nurses (Perioperative); Arizona Nurses Association; American Nurses Association; American Burn Association; and the Arizona Organization of Nurse Executives.
Mary sees Valleywise Health as being an integral part of the overall health of our community. Today that is being accomplished by expanding behavioral health and outpatient/ambulatory services with the construction of the new Valleywise Comprehensive Health Center – Peoria and the acquisition and renovation of the Valleywise Behavioral Health Center – Maryvale and Valleywise Emergency – Maryvale. Mary believes the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance will enhance Valleywise Health’s educational programs, including medical, nursing, and various allied health programs.
Mary enjoys spending quality time with friends and her two dogs, and volunteering with organizations that give back to the community and supporting animal welfare groups.
Kate Brophy McGee
DIRECTOR - DISTRICT 3
Term of Office: 2022 – 2026
Kate Brophy McGee earned her reputation as a trailblazer, a tireless advocate for our most vulnerable citizens and a leader who gets results. She has served her community for over two decades – first as a school board member, as Chair of the Arizona School Facilities Board and in the Arizona State Legislature. Kate served six years in the Arizona House and four years in the Arizona Senate. During that time, she won numerous awards for her landmark legislative work, including Best Elected Official in the State of Arizona for an unprecedented two years running in 2019 and 2020. Most recently Kate received the 2021 Mercy Care RISE Lifetime Achievement Award for her reforms to child welfare and Arizona’s Medicaid program.
Kate is known nationally for her work establishing the Department of Child Safety, which transformed Arizona’s child welfare system from a national disgrace to a national model. In 2020, Senate Bill 1523 (“Jake’s Law”), a bill Kate sponsored passed, establishing parity for treatment of behavioral health disorders – ensuring that mental illness will be treated just as physical illness is treated.
Kate continues to serve on numerous boards and commissions, including the Maricopa County Planning & Zoning Commission and co-chair of the Governor’s Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women.
Mary Rose Garrido Wilcox
DIRECTOR, DISTRICT 5
Term of Office: 2020 – 2024
Mary Rose Wilcox joined the Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors in 2016. She has served on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and Maricopa County Hospital Health System Board. She received the Guadalupe Family Health Center Award of Appreciation and was honored with the MIHS Dedication Award. She was the first Latina elected to the Phoenix City Council and Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and helped create the Hispanic Women’s Corporation. She also served on the National Council of La Raza and NALEO. She and her husband run a local Mexican food restaurant and have a daughter and five grandsons.
Board Meeting Information
The Board holds a formal meeting, generally held on the fourth Wednesday of each month unless the date falls on a government-recognized holiday, in which case staff will publish a new date in advance. At its discretion, the Board may call additional meetings.
While all Board meetings are open to the public, during a meeting, the Board may decide by majority vote to authorize an executive session that will convene immediately following the vote. By law, executive sessions are not open to the public and discussions are confidential.
Meeting Location
Board meetings are generally held at:
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Pavilion
2609 East Roosevelt Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Meeting Agenda
If you would like to view the meeting agenda, staff will post it at least 24 hours in advance. You can find it on this website or posted in a glass case in the first-floor public elevator lobby along the south wall in the Valleywise Health Medical Center, 2601 East Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
Meeting Materials
Supporting materials, if any, for agenda items, except for executive session items may be posted on this website, at the Clerk’s discretion.
To access information prior to 24 months ago, submit a Public Records Request.
Upcoming Meetings
Jan
22
Jan
23
Jan
24
Feb
26
Feb
27
Feb
28
Mar
25
Mar
26
Mar
27
Apr
22
Apr
23
Apr
24
May
20
May
21
Jun
22
Jun
20
Jun
24
Jun
25
Jun
26
Aug
26
Aug
27
Aug
28
Sep
23
Sep
24
Sep
25
Oct
21
Oct
22
Oct
23
Nov
25
Nov
26
Board Approved Policies
Financial
Policy 99001 G Annual External Audit Policy 99002 G Billing Policy 99004 G Collection Efforts Policy 99005 G Construction Surety Bonds Policy 99006 G Discounts Policy 99008 G Financial Reports Policy 99009 G Internal Audit Policy 99010 G Investment of Funds Policy 99011 G Revenue Contracts Medical Services Policy 99012 G Fiscal Responsibility Financial Planning Guidelines Policy 99013 G Selection of External Auditors Policy 99014 G Budget Operating and Capital Policy 99016 G Depositories Policy 99021 G Financial Assistance
Governance
Policy 99101 G President And Chief Executive Officer Evaluation Policy 99103 G Cellular Phone Service Plan Stipend Policy 99104 G Intergovernmental Agreements Policy 99105 G Insurance Bonds for Board Members and District Employees Policy 99107 G Board Member Meeting Per Diem Policy 99108 G Board Member Mileage Reimbursement Policy 99109 G Board Member Conference Expenses and Travel Reimbursement
Conduct
Policy 99300 G Call to the Public Addressing the Board of Directors at a Meeting Board Of Directors Request to Speak Form and Procedure Policy 99302 G Non RetaliationPolicy 99303 G Political Contributions
Policy 99304 G Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy 99305 G Board Member Conflict of Interest and Gift Policy
Accreditation
Policy 99400 G Accrediting BodiesBylaws
BylawsGeneral District Information
Maricopa County District Map Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Strategic Plan External Audit 2022/2023 Fiscal Years Notice of Representation by an Independent Registered Municipal Advisor Co-Applicant Operational ArrangementAdditional Resources
Attorney General Handbook – Chapter 7 Arizona Ombudsman – Open Meeting LawSearch Archived Documents
Need to see archived Agendas, Minutes, and Board Packets?
To access information prior to 24 months ago, submit a Public Records Request.
Candidate Information and Frequently Asked Questions
If you are interested in filing as a candidate for a seat on the Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors, please contact the Maricopa County Elections Department.
The District Clerk’s Office has received multiple inquiries from the public regarding candidates for the Board of Directors on the ballot for the upcoming general election. By law, the District must maintain strict neutrality regarding the election, and therefore cannot provide information on any candidate. The names of the candidates to appear on the ballot for the upcoming general election for the Board of Directors for your district can be found on the Maricopa County Elections Department website.
What is the length of the term of office?
Four years
What seats are available in upcoming elections?
District seats up for election in 2024
- District 1
- District 2
- District 5
What is the expected time commitment?
As a Director, you can expect to spend 20 to 30 hours a month on Board-related tasks including, but not limited to:
- Attending Board meetings
- Reading material and preparing for Board meetings.
- Attending groundbreaking events, grand openings and employee events.
Compensation of Directors
Board members shall serve without compensation; however, each member is allowed a per diem when attending meetings of the Board. The per diem amount may not exceed the amount prescribed by A.R.S. 32-1604 as amended from time to time. The current maximum allowed by law is $200 per day.