Aaron Whitley, DNP, CRNA, BSN, RN

Aaron Whitley joined the university in 2024 to serve as assistant director of the CRNA program. A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, he worked the previous seven years as a managing partner and owner of several anesthesia groups in Arizona and Montana.

In addition, in the two years leading up to his arrival, he worked as a clinical instructor for Alpha Anesthesia in Chandler, Arizona. A U.S. Army veteran, he has logged extensive experience as a registered nurse and a CRNA for the past several years in various locations.

Previously, Whitley served in both the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom military campaigns in the early 2000s, earning several service medals for his commitment. He earned his bachelor of science degree in nursing in 2012 from Grand Canyon University and a doctorate in nurse practice-nurse anesthesia in 2017 from the University of Arizona.

Whitley is married to Marie and they have two boys – Rhys and Zyon. The family attends Gilbert Bible Church in Gilbert, Arizona. He enjoys hunting, fishing, running, and family time.