Dear friends,

Spring comes early here in the Valley. We are enjoying the warm days and outdoor activities. Check out our list of community events for a few opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and support HonorHealth Foundation at the same time.

March is also the month of National Doctor’s Day, celebrated each year on March 30 since 1933 to honor the dedication, skill and unwavering commitment of physicians in providing high-quality care.

This is a great opportunity to show appreciation for your HonorHealth physician. Ovation is our grateful patient program, where you can make a donation and provide words of tribute to a doctor who’s made a difference for your or your family. We will read your tribute in front of their team and present them with an Ovation pin and certificate. Visit Ovation to learn more and nominate your favorite doctor.

We are so grateful for the 4,000+ physicians at HonorHealth, who provide exceptional care and support the well-being of our community. We are proud to collaborate with many of them, as we invite the community to support their vital programs.

They are true partners in the work of philanthropy, helping us achieve our mission of finding cures, saving lives and transforming healthcare. Meet three HonorHealth doctors below, the 2024 honorees in the Foundation’s Advancing Philanthropy Physician Awards.

With gratitude,

Jared A. Langkilde, MBA, CFRE
President & CEO

Foundation celebrates three HonorHealth physicians

HonorHealth physicians are special for their commitment to exceptional care. But three particular physicians have also distinguished themselves in 2024 as champions for philanthropy.

The Foundation is pleased to recognize the 2024 Advancing Philanthropy Physician Award honorees:

Dr. David Rizik
Chief Scientific Officer & Director, Structural Heart & Coronary Interventions at HonorHealth Heart Care

Dr. Rizik holds a deep commitment to his patients that goes beyond providing excellent medical care. He creates profound connections that often inspire them to express their gratitude through a philanthropic investment in advancing heart care.

As the founder and director of Scottsdale Interventional Forum (SIF), Dr. Rizik hosts a a state-of-the-art symposium, providing attendees an in-depth review of the latest advances in the treatment of heart and vascular disease. He works closely with the Foundation to secure grants that make this event possible.

Dr. Nina Shah
SVP, Chief Quality & Clinical Value Officer at HonorHealth

Dr. Nina Shah quietly makes her mark on the Foundation in a wide variety of ways. In her role as Chief Quality and Clinical Value Officer, Dr. Shah is responsible for educating HonorHealth and the community on patient safety. Under her leadership, HonorHealth’s Leap Frog safety scores stand side by side with the highest in the Valley.

This success is due in part to her collaboration with donors and the Foundation to deploy the largest fleet of germ-zapping robots in the country. Multi-year reports clearly signify the impact of the robots, which have been underwritten by close friends in our philanthropic community.

Dr. Daniel Von Hoff
Virginia G. Piper Distinguished Chair for Innovative Cancer Research (retired) at HonorHealth Research Institute (retired)

The Foundation recently celebrated Dr. Von Hoff’s remarkable career and legacy of healing at a gathering to commemorate his retirement.

His relentless pursuit of cures, combined with his compassion for his patients, has transformed the landscape of cancer treatment and given hope to countless individuals, when often they had none.

Dr. Von Hoff has served as the Virginia G. Piper Distinguished Chair for Innovative Cancer Research at HonorHealth Research Institute, holding the Foundation’s only endowed chairmanship, originally funded by the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

Happy Doctors Day to all our HonorHealth physicians and advanced practice providers. We appreciate you!

Endless gratitude: A journey of care, love and loss

Megan’s return from Brain on Fire is a journey that is both devastating and liberating. While she lost herself for a while, her story today, one year later, is that of inspiration and resilience. Her drive to get back to her “new normal” is now a fire in her belly.

In March 2023, Megan’s world changed in an instant. What began as a mysterious illness soon revealed itself to be a rare neurological condition known as Brain on Fire, that left her physically and mentally shattered. But through the struggle, something extraordinary began to emerge — Megan’s stronger self.

“Brain on fire actually refers to a disease that’s named anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis,” explains Victor Zach, MD, a neurologist, vascular neurology specialist and an independent member of the HonorHealth Medical Staff. “It’s a neurological and autoimmune disease where the body creates antibodies against the NMDA receptors in the brain. This leads to the disruption of normal brain signaling and causes swelling in the brain, also known as encephalitis.”

Megan’s recovery journey was long, and at times, it felt almost impossible. When she came home in July 2023, Megan found herself unable to perform even the simplest tasks. She couldn’t name objects, do math or recall basic memories — her brain was reset.

“I was basically a two-year old again,” as she puts it. But what she learned from this experience was a deep, unwavering faith in the power of patience, persistence and the love of a strong support system.

Her parents, she recalls, never left her side. Through the long hours of rehabilitation and therapy, they helped Megan relearn even the most basic things, from spelling simple words to regaining her cognitive skills.

“My mom literally made flash cards for me with simple words to learn — like cat,” states Megan. “And we would work together for up to 12 hours a day to help me relearn the basics.”

Her physical health improved steadily, but mentally, the road was more uncertain. It took a solid three months to relearn a lot of the basics, but one of the most frustrating was regaining her ability to read music and play piano, a creative outlet she’d studied and loved since age 5. It was slow, frustrating work, but with every small victory, her mental, emotional and physical strength grew.

Now, over a year later, Megan feels nearly back to herself, a reflection of her determination and resilience. She’s been volunteering at HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center, alongside her mom, where she had once been a patient, offering kindness to others facing their own trials. The compassion she received there motivates her to make the hospital experience a little brighter for others.

“I’m grateful to every care giver that has been part of my journey since March 2023. I recall being told that was approximately 300 people total between all the different specialties,” says Megan.

Today, health has taken on new meaning. What once seemed like mundane aspects of life — eating well, staying active and embracing moments of joy — have become a powerful focus for Megan. She’s golfing, working on her CPA certification and reconnecting with friends and family in new, meaningful ways. But most importantly, she has found a new perspective on life, one that embraces every moment and discards the “what ifs.”

Through this journey, Megan has found that the power of faith, patience and community are the true keys to healing. Whenever she needs a little encouragement, she remembers a favorite Bible verse, James 1:2-4, that reminds her to view trials through a different lens. Instead of seeing challenges or trials as obstacles, she chooses to see them as opportunities for growth and joy.

Megan, your journey has inspired all of us and we at the Foundation are on the sidelines cheering for you!

Q&A with Jenny Ranchhod of Silver Lining Wealth Advisors

At HonorHealth Foundation, we work with donors who support a big vision around health and well-being in our community. Our corporate donor, Silver Lining Wealth Advisors, not only supports that vision but invests in programs they assess will have a comprehensive community impact.

Silver Lining Wealth Advisors recently served as the Presenting Sponsor of our "Paddle Battle Pickleball Clinic" in support of HonorHealth’s Sports Medicine program and the HonorHealth Sports Medicine Hub at the HonorHealth Wellness Pavilion.

We sat down with Silver Lining Wealth Advisors Impact and Connection Specialist Jenny Ranchhod (in photo above, with her husband, Nayan Ranchod, Silver Lining Wealth Advisors CEO) to learn more about their giving philosophy.

HonorHealth Foundation: Tell us about your giving philosophy?

When we give to an organization, we look for a few key attributes. First, we look at the people. We seek out people that are extremely passionate about what they do and why they come to work every day. Second, we look for comprehensive community impact, organizations that are actively making a difference in their mission, and lastly, we look at prevention ― focused solutions. We ask ourselves: does the organization look at the root cause of what they are doing and how do they expect to improve or stop that from being a problem in the future?

HonorHealth Foundation: Why did you choose HonorHealth Foundation as a recipient of your generosity?

One of the reasons that we love the HonorHealth Foundation so much is that they encompass all the attributes we look for in an organization, and they do it across so many different areas of the community, from food insecurity, childcare, eldercare and looking at every aspect of the healthcare system. They ask: how can we make this better? They also look to the future at prevention and help people make smarter choices to live longer and with fewer visits to the doctor. This has been an organization where we truly feel the effect in every aspect of the community.

HonorHealth Foundation: Why did you choose a gift to the HonorHealth Sports Medicine program?

We choose to support almost every aspect of the HonorHealth Foundation; you will see me, and our team, at almost every event. We love the leadership and new ideas that keep coming out of the Foundation and we look for new ways to be inspired.

HonorHealth Foundation: How are you hoping this partnership enhances our community?

I am mostly hoping for awareness in the community. That there is a Foundation like this that exists ― to make our lives physically and mentally healthier. When I speak to most people about how I am involved they have no idea that HonorHealth Foundation does so much for the community.

Thank you, Jenny, for your kind words and for the support you show to us and in return ― the entire community! We are grateful!

Donors make HonorHealth Heart Care Center a reality

Together, we have elevated health and well-being for cardiovascular patients.

The extended HonorHealth family united in celebration for a pre-grand opening celebration at the newly renovated HonorHealth Heart Care Center at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center.

“This is such an exciting time,” stated HonorHealth CEO, Todd LaPorte. “First to be reminded of all the community goodwill that we are blessed to have around us today and then to see how noble ideas and visions start to come to life. We are deeply grateful to you all.”

Donors who supported the Now Is the Time campaign helped us renovate and innovate the Heart Care Center, making it a world-class center with a new ambulatory surgery center, state of the art Cath labs, advanced technology, updated space, a Vitality health bar and training room.

By 2035 nearly half of the U.S. adult population will have some form of cardiovascular disease, so it was clear the Foundation and HonorHealth needed to partner and expand the cardiovascular program.

The investment and response from our community was overwhelming!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this vision a reality.

Join us at the best lawn party in town

Ready for an afternoon of croquet, cures and live music? Passionate about helping friends you haven’t met yet?

Then join us at Croquet for a Cure on April 5 and a game of American 9-Wicket Cut-Throat (sounds ominous, but it’s actually fun!).

Proceeds support the Myles & Hermanda O'Connor Fund, started by the Seoane Family, which supports the Dementia Center at the HonorHealth Bob Bové Neuroscience Institute, providing multi-disciplinary support for dementia patients.

Get your tickets today and check out the fabulous sponsorship opportunities!

A cycling tour through the Sonoran Desert

HonorHealth is proud to once again be the presenting sponsor of the 2025 Tour de Scottsdale, April 12, 2025.

This world-class cycling event offers a challenging and scenic course through the Sonoran Desert areas of Scottsdale and the northeast Valley.

Participants can choose between the Full Metric Century ride of 62 miles, or the Half Metric Century ride of 32 miles.

Learn more or register for the Tour de Scottsdale today!

Support the Desert Mission Milk Drive

Milk is one of the most important nutritional staples for children, and it's the item least donated to our Food Bank, too.

Helping address this challenge, Desert Mission's 2nd annual Milk Drive has been extended through "April Foods Day" (April 2).

Make your Milk Drive donation and help at-risk kids and their families, and as an added bonus you'll receive a plush cow (with a gift of $25 or more; details of how to get your plush cow are provided in your donation acknowledgement email).

Give now to this "moovelous" opportunity and make a difference in our community — 100 percent of your gift will go to Desert Mission Food Bank for milk to distribute to families in need!

Support the Desert Mission Milk Drive today!

Tax Credit available through April 15

Donations to HonorHealth Desert Mission are eligible for the Arizona Charitable Organization Tax Credit.

For your 2024 tax return, donate $470 (filing individually) or $938 (filing jointly) and you can receive your gift back as a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Arizona State taxes!

Every dollar of your gift will go to Desert Mission programs including the Food Bank, Lincoln Learning Center and Adult Day Health Care.

Make an Arizona Charitable Tax Credit donation supporting Desert Mission today!

We want your feedback!

The 2025 HonorHealth Foundation Donor Survey is now live. Please check your email Inbox and help us align our programming with your values and interests.

The survey only takes a few minutes but will be invaluable to helping us ensure our communications and interactions with you are meaningful and relevant.