Cincinnati Leadership

Mike Garfield is the executive leader of Mercy Health – Cincinnati. He is accountable for leading its operations, which includes five award-winning hospitals and four freestanding emergency departments, as well as accredited cardiac, oncology and orthopaedic service lines. Previously, Mr. Garfield served as chief operating officer of Mercy Health – Cincinnati. In that role, he was accountable for operations, placing a strong emphasis on quality, patient experience, physician relations and business development.

Mr. Garfield brings more than 30 years’ experience in hospital operations to Mercy Health. Prior to joining Mercy Health, he was division president at Health Management Associates, serving as president of a division consisting of 13 hospitals in Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky and West Virginia. He also has held executive leadership roles with Community Health Systems, the second largest publically traded operator of general acute care hospitals in the U.S. and was CEO of four hospitals within HCA/Health Trust, a privately-held, owner and operator of approximately 160 hospitals and 120 outpatient centers in 20 states and England.

Mr. Garfield received a bachelor’s in economics and business administration from Furman University, Greenville, SC and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Tulane University, New Orleans.

Mr. Fikse oversees the operations of Mercy Health’s five award-winning hospitals, four freestanding emergency departments and the cardiac, oncology and orthopaedic service lines. He joined Mercy Health from Community Health Systems, where he served most recently as vice president of operations for a division with 30 facilities, including 15 hospitals, in 10 states. Previously, he was vice president of operations for a division with 24 facilities, including 10 hospitals, in three states. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of ValleyCare Health System in Youngstown, Ohio and has held a number of executive leadership roles with leading health systems. Fikse received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Planning and Administration from Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania and a Masters of Business Administration degree from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.

As chief clinical officer, Dr. Fries is responsible for providing physician executive leadership for Mercy Health - Cincinnati’s clinical enterprises (hospital medical staff involved with acute care delivery, Mercy Health Physicians and Mercy Health Select). In collaboration with COO David Fikse, she oversees overall mission, strategic leadership and the assurance of quality care delivery for those clinical enterprises as well as their integration. She earned her medical degree from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed her residency in family practice at Grant/Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.

Eric Smith is chief financial officer of Mercy Health - Cincinnati. He serves as the steward of the financial assets of the region.

Prior to joining Mercy Health, Mr. Smith was with Community Health Systems, a 160-hospital system based in Tennessee. He served most recently as CFO of Bayfront Health in St. Petersburg, a 480-bed hospital that includes a trauma center and physician residency program. He has filled the same role at hospitals in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Arkansas.

Mr. Smith earned a Business Administration degree from Taylor University in Indiana.

Pat Davis-Hagens is president, CEO and central market leader for Mercy Health - Cincinnati, as well as its chief nursing officer (CNO). As a market leader, Ms. Davis-Hagens is responsible for driving the strategic vision for quality, service and growth across region’s central communities, in alignment with Mercy Health’s Accountable Care Organization model. This includes the development and execution of our integrated network of patient-centered care through The Jewish Hospital – Mercy Health, Rookwood Medical Center/Emergency Department, ancillary facilities and physician practices.

As CNO, Ms. Davis-Hagens has reorganized the patient care delivery system, implemented a shared leadership governance structure, increased retention and recruitment of registered nurses and nursing leaders and initiated clinical task forces to improve quality outcomes and processes. Under her leadership, Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital achieved Nursing Magnet status, with the other four Mercy Health – Cincinnati hospitals now working to achieve this recognition.

Ms. Davis-Hagens joined Mercy Health in 2006. Most recently she served as operations executive for Mercy Health – The Heart Institute and chief nursing officer and chief operating officer for Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital. She had responsibility for the nursing division and emergency, surgical, rehabilitation and pharmacy services.

Prior to joining Mercy Health, Ms. Davis-Hagens spent 20 years with Provena Covenant Medical Center in Illinois as CNO, COO, vice president of patient care services/CNE, director of community care services, director of surgical services and nurse manager. She began her career with Boston City Hospital in a variety of leadership roles.

Ms. Davis-Hagens holds an MBA from Plymouth State college in New Hampshire, a Bachelor’s degree from Salem State College in Massachusetts, an A.S. in nursing from Northeastern University in Boston and a diploma from the Department of Health and Hospitals School of Practical Nursing in Boston. Ms. Hagen-Davis is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.

Mrs. Seitz is the Chief Operating Officer of Mercy Health Physicians - Cincinnati. Previously, she was the executive director of primary care for the physician group. Before joining Mercy Health Physicians, Mrs. Seitz was an onboarding and electronic medical records coordinator for Mercy Health’s IT group. She also served as a nurse, clinical educator and assistant manager on a cardiovascular pulmonary step-down unit at The Jewish Hospital – Mercy Health. Courtney is a registered nurse and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Xavier University.

Sr. Cheryl Erb, RSM serves as the senior vice president of mission integration for Mercy Health – Cincinnati. In this role, Sr. Cheryl supports executive leadership as chief mission officer by creatively and effectively weaving the Mission and values of Mercy Health into organizational strategies, programs and processes. As a member of the region’s senior leadership team, Sr. Cheryl works to develop the corporate agenda, strategic direction and operational effectiveness of the region in the context of Mission and core values, Catholic identity and traditions of the founders

Sr. Cheryl joined Mercy Health’s parent company in 2008 and served as the director of mission integration for senior health and housing. In that role, she led development of palliative care and ethics programs specifically for senior citizens. She continues to serve as mission director for community based services for Mercy Health – Cincinnati’s parent organization, designing programs and strategies to enhance Mission culture across the continuum of care, including physician practices, clinics, ambulatory care centers, senior health, home health and hospice location.

Sr. Cheryl earned her certificate in spirituality from St. Louis University, her bachelor’s degree in American history from Edgecliff College, which is now part of Cincinnati’s Xavier University, and her master’s degree in American history from the University of Cincinnati.

Claire Grandpré Combs serves as the senior vice president of legal services and general counsel for Mercy Health. Ms. Combs manages all legal services for Mercy Health – Cincinnati, its subsidiaries and joint venture affiliates pertaining to a wide range of issues, including general corporate matters, contracting, management care, claims and risk management, safety, patient care, medical staff, corporate compliance, labor law and effective utilization of legal services. She also serves as a liaison to the Cincinnati region’s board of trustees and facilitates governance development.

Ms. Combs joined Mercy Health in 1990 as vice president of legal services with oversight of risk management, quality, medical records and infection control. Prior to joining Mercy Health, Ms. Combs worked as an associate with Dinsmore & Shohl, A Cincinnati-based law firm. She earned her Doctorate in Jurisprudence from the University of Cincinnati School of Law, where she attained the honor membership The Order of the Coif. She earned her bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Tonya Carter serves as vice president of Human Resources for Mercy Health - Cincinnati. She is responsible for human resources operations for the Cincinnati region, which includes Mercy Health - Anderson, Clermont, Fairfield and West Hospitals, The Jewish Hospital – Mercy Health and all Mercy Health sites within Cincinnati. She joined Mercy Health from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where she developed and implemented talent management and succession planning processes and also held leadership positions in other areas of HR. Ms. Carter earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Master’s Degree in Human Resources Development from Xavier University. She holds Senior Professional Human Resources Certification and Green Belt Six Sigma Certification.

Ken James is the president, CEO and east market leader for Mercy Health - Cincinnati. In this role, Mr. James is responsible for driving the strategic vision for quality, service and growth across region’s eastern communities, in alignment with Mercy Health’s Accountable Care Organization model. This includes the development and execution of our integrated network of patient-centered care through Mercy Health – Anderson Hospital, Mercy Health – Clermont Hospital, ambulatory medical centers and physician practices.

Prior to joining Mercy Health, Mr. James was a leader with Harton Hospital in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where he served as CEO. Previously, he was Market Chief Executive Officer of Missouri’s Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, which is located across three campuses and has eight rural health clinics. He also served as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Associate Administrator of Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, located in Kennett, MO.

He has a bachelor’s degree in radiology from the University of Louisiana-Monroe and a master’s degree in industrial/organization management from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA.

Michael Kramer is the president, CEO and west market leader for Mercy Health - Cincinnati. In this role, he is responsible for driving the strategic vision for quality, service and growth across region’s western communities, in alignment with Mercy Health’s Accountable Care Organization model. This includes the development and execution of our integrated network of patient-centered care through Mercy Health – West Hospital, ambulatory medical centers and physician practices.

Mr. Kramer joined Mercy Health in 2002. Most recently, he served as the Cincinnati region’s vice president of business development and chief network integration officer. Previously, he has served in a variety of leadership roles across the region, including COO for West Hospital, director of finance for The Heart Institute at Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital, and for Mercy Health – Anderson, Clermont, Mt. Airy and Western Hills Hospitals. Mr. Kramer has served on or led teams focused on acquisitions and development/implementation of new service lines, as well as campus expansions.

Mr. Kramer attended Xavier University where he received a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degrees in business administration and in hospital and health administration. He also is a graduate of the Mercy Health Leadership Academy.

Thomas Urban is the president, CEO and north market leader for Mercy Health - Cincinnati. In this role, he is responsible for driving the strategic vision for quality, service and growth across the region’s northern communities, in alignment with Mercy Health’s clinically integrated delivery model. This includes the development and execution of our integrated network of patient-centered care through Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital, ambulatory medical centers and physician practices.

Mr. Urban has been with Mercy Health since 1993. He has led growth and development initiatives that have established Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital as a leading healthcare provider in Butler County. He also has served as the region’s president and CEO. Under Mr. Urban’s regional leadership, the organization developed tertiary services at Mercy Health - Anderson and Fairfield Hospitals, and he provided oversight for the expansion and upgrading of services at Mercy Health – Clermont Hospital.

Prior to joining Mercy Health, Mr. Urban was the executive vice president/COO for Beverly Hospital in Beverly, Massachusetts; vice president of professional services for Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, Florida; and assistant vice president of hospital services for Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.