Banner Health Foundation & Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation

On March 30, physicians across Banner will receive Banner Health Hero awards and heartfelt notes of gratitude from their patients in honor of #NationalDoctorsDay. It's not too late to express your appreciation and honor your physician today. It's easy – get started here. Let's make this Doctors’ Day memorable for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Congratulations to Dr. David Shprecher and Dr. Trent Smith, who both recently received a Banner Health Hero award! Honor your Hero: https://lnkd.in/ggG5SNyA

Last fall, we held our 3rd annual Women’s Health & Wellness Retreat where guests enjoyed a super-food brunch, followed by rotating sessions of yoga, sound bowl healing therapy, guided meditation, golf simulation, guest speakers on various health topics, and more. Proceeds from the event benefit WISH, which promotes and supports women’s and family health by offering evidence-based research, trusted resources and leading-edge educational opportunities. Save the date for this year's retreat on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025! Check out the feature via Frontdoors Media / Frontdoors Magazine: https://lnkd.in/g4hepwdB

On March 30, join us for #NationalDoctorsDay and thank a physician for their contributions to society. We receive many Banner Health Hero tribute gifts and notes about the positive impact our physicians have on their patients. Here's one about Dr. Tony Lee, an internist at Banner Health Center: “Dr. Tony Lee does an exceptional job of handling my complicated case with two rare diseases. My health has improved dramatically since I started seeing him almost three years ago. Thank you!” Learn how you can express your gratitude for the compassionate physicians at Banner Health: https://lnkd.in/ggG5SNyA

A huge shout out to the Sun City Women's Golf Club for their incredible generosity! They recently delivered a $5,000 check to the Banner Sun Health Research Institute to support the Banner Research Movement Disorders program. This program offers comprehensive care and clinical trials for people who have movement disorders including Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, dystonia and tremors. Thank you for the support! #gratitude David Shprecher

Time's running out—don't "putt" off your chance to support the Banner Children's Open on April 11, 2025. Foursomes are sold out, but we have a few Underwriting Sponsorships, Pin Flags and Mighty Warriors Tee Signs available that come with great marketing benefits. All sponsorship opportunities are fully tax-deductible and give your company positive exposure. Choose your sponsorship now: https://lnkd.in/g46fuyXd

We had an incredible evening at this year's Evening of Gratitude reception in Tucson celebrating and thanking our Banner Benefactors, Partners in Wellness and Philanthropic Champions for their continued support of the Banner Health Foundation. A special thank you to our guest speakers, Alison Flynn Gaffney, FACHE, CEO for Banner – University Medical Centers Tucson and South, Dr. Julie Pilitsis, Department Chair of Neurosurgery, and Wayne Gudmundson, a grateful patient who shared his recent experience undergoing emergency brain surgery. View the photo gallery here: https://lnkd.in/gxQpM_c8

Congratulations to Dr. Eric Reiman, executive director of the Banner Alzheimer's Institute, and John Graham, President & CEO of Sunbelt Holdings and Banner Health Foundation board member, for being welcomed into the 2025 Arizona Historymakers. Arizona Historymakers are men and women who have distinguished themselves with noted achievements in such diverse areas as the arts, athletics, communications, community service, education and entertainment, and who have maintained their ties to Arizona. Since 1992, the Historical League has recognized more than 90 people. Previous Historymakers include Sandra Day O’Connor, Navajo Code Talkers, Barry Goldwater, Robert Spetzler, and Michael Crow. The Historical League hosts the Historymakers program in partnership with the Arizona Historical Society. The two organizations connect people with the power of Arizona’s history, showing them how people built up the state in the past and who’s continuing to support the future of Arizona. Pictured left to right are: John Graham, Eric Reiman, MD, Sharon Harper, Sister Adele O'Sullivan, CSJ, MD, and Diana Yazzie Devine.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our WISH luncheon, Be a BRAINIAC When it Comes to Stroke. We were honored to feature Dr. Andrei Alexandrov, Department Chair of Neurology, UA College of Medicine – Phoenix and Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, who discussed stroke symptoms, interventions and new treatments. We also had a special guest appearance by Dr. Alexandrov's wife, Anne W. Alexandrov, Ph.D., RN, CCRN, ANVP-BC, NVRN-BC, FAAN, who spoke about the importance of a Mobile Stroke Unit. Want to get involved? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gqh8ANnR

Phoenix attorneys Kenneth Van Winkle and Sam Chang, along with the law office of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, recently made a philanthropic gift that will help increase minority representation in nursing leadership at Banner Health. Thanks to their generosity, the Fellowship Program for Underrepresented Nursing Leaders will provide leadership and growth opportunities for Banner nurses to advance their business acumen, gain knowledge of financial and human resource management, learn strategic leadership concepts, advance patient safety, and participate in professional networking. The program’s goal is to increase the available pool of prepared nurse leaders from communities historically underrepresented in the profession. Continue reading ? https://lnkd.in/gjPaQj_Q

Family, friends and caregivers gathered In January to celebrate the opening of Lainy’s Garden, part of Inspiration Garden at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson. The garden is named in honor of pediatric cancer warrior Lainy Sharpe, who bravely battled mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, a rare form of cancer in the bones and soft tissue, for nearly two years. During her journey, she helped raise funds for the Diamond Children’s Medical Center Play Zone, which opened in December 2024. After Lainy and her father, Tony, cut the ribbon stretched across the threshold, the garden’s colorful new sign was unveiled, and the crowd was invited to enjoy the space. Inspired by Lainy’s love and kindness, Tony and his friend, Larry Johnston, facilitated an incredibly generous philanthropic investment to transform this special garden, together with Clifford Reidhead, Pete Van Bogaert, and the talented team at Canyon Ridge Landscaping Services. The garden features a paved courtyard, desert landscaping and ample shade. Seating will be installed in the coming months so that staff, patients, and visitors can relax and enjoy a moment of tranquil respite. Weeks after celebrating the opening of her special garden, Lainy passed away at the age of 14. Inspiring to others in countless ways, Lainy was honored with the Banner Children’s Healthy Hero Award in October 2024 at Banner Health Foundation’s signature gala, the Pulse of the City Soiree, representing courage and resilience in the face of her illness. The Banner Health Foundation team extends our sincere sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Sharpe family.?