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The work you make possible with your gifts enable us to witness so many moments when patients are overwhelmed with appreciation for the care they have received. It is beautiful to see them express their heartfelt gratitude by making a gift to support a physician, nurse or hospital program. In that moment, they are focused solely on the good they can bring to others through their gift. Our wonderful community of supporters could give wherever they want, with any organization, but they choose to invest in HonorHealth. In doing so, you are advancing our mission of improving the health and well-being of all those we serve. We are thankful for your trust in us. Your generosity makes so many good things happen! |
Greetings and happy September!
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September is NICU Awareness Month: Krystal & Ashley share a special bond The bond of motherhood grows even stronger between those who have traveled the NICU road together. Krystal and Ashley have further forged that bond as co-chairs of the NICU Tea and Luncheon, their second year together at the helm of the largest annual event for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. Go back six years and Krystal’s NICU journey was just beginning. Krystal’s complete placenta previa caused severe complications, leading to baby Graham’s arrival at 32 weeks. As a result, he spent 29 days in the NICU, which Krystal calls “his first home.” “The NICU has touched thousands of lives and they do so with the utmost professionalism, immense love and precious care,” Krystal affirms. “Personally speaking, our family is forever grateful for the entire squad who treated our sweet baby and taught us a great deal about how to be parents under such challenging circumstances.” Ashley shares that deep gratitude. “The NICU was a safe place for our family when our baby was there,” Ashley says. Her son Stone was born one month premature and suffered from Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), which is marked by very low fetal weight and failure to thrive. “Our baby is now thriving because of the NICU at HonorHealth,” Ashley recalls with obvious emotion. “Our hopes and dreams for our child are seeing the light of day because of their expertise and commitment.” That’s why NICU Awareness Month is so meaningful to these two. Commemorated each September, it provides the opportunity to draw attention to the special care that takes place in a NICU. Saving a premature baby’s life is quite an undertaking. Delicate and fragile every step of the way, highly skilled medical care, effective crisis management and new technology are a part of daily life at the HonorHealth NICU. Last year, nearly 400 babies were admitted to the unit with the smallest patient weighing less than 12 ounces, born at 23 weeks. The average length of stay is 25 days; of course, some are there much longer. The two moms met while serving on the NICU Tea committee in recent years. But when event founder Stacy Lovell passed the baton, the two were excited to co-chair the event and have become close friends in the process. Together, Krystal and Ashley hope that by volunteering and supporting the annual NICU Tea and Luncheon, they will continue to provide vital resources for our NICU babies and families to thrive. This year’s theme, “Wish upon a star,” is meaningful for both Krystal and Ashley, and the many NICU families HonorHealth serves, as their heart’s deepest wish is for their babies to come home healthy. Shea is a Level 3 NICU that can accommodate the most premature and complex newborns. The patient volume challenges the team to constantly evolve, which requires the support of sponsors and supporters like Krystal and Ashley. The funds raised through the NICU Team and Luncheon go directly to meet the needs of the NICU. Without this critical support, life for many families would be very different. |
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Pediatric patients get toys to heal Because of friends like you and the incredible donor community of HonorHealth, we raised nearly $9,000 for the HonorHealth Toy Fund! That is truly amazing. Our toy boxes will be filled and our pediatric patients will be given the toys they need to heal. |
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National Grateful Patient Day: Caran expresses gratitude for the extra push from her physical therapist National Grateful Patient Day, observed September 7th, is a poignant reminder of the impact that compassionate care and medical excellence have on patients and their families. This special day offers a unique opportunity for us to celebrate the healing journey you or someone you love has traveled. For many patients, the journey through illness is marked by moments of profound gratitude. Whether it's the skilled hands of a surgeon, the dedication of a nurse or the support of an entire healthcare team, these experiences leave an indelible mark.
“Kris’ dedication to providing inspiration as well as mobility to her patients is awesome,” writes Caran. “I am 76 years old and had pretty well decided that I would eventually be in a wheelchair, probably in a few years. Kris changed my mind and therefore my life with a few very simple stretching exercises and a lot of inspiration. Every time I met with her, she inspired me and made me realize that my destiny would be decided by the limitations I put on it.” You can express your feelings for a wonderful HonorHealth caregiver on National Grateful Patient Day by submitting an Ovation, HonorHealth Foundation’s grateful patient program. It’s your opportunity to reflect on these moments and express your appreciation with a note of tribute. You can also choose to make a charitable gift of any amount. When you submit an Ovation, the Foundation makes a surprise visit to the care provider or department, gathers their colleagues, reads your Ovation and presents a special pin. These moments are pure magic, building joy and pride among the team and a circle of appreciation between care providers and their patients. Fundraising foundations play a crucial role in bridging the gap between medical needs and available resources. Your gratitude and generosity will enhance care for future patients, fund critical research and support innovative treatments. Please consider joining us on National Grateful Patient Day and stand up and cheer for your caregivers. Donations made through Ovation directly impact the quality of care and the future of medical research. Whether it's funding a new research initiative, supporting a patient care program or investing in advanced medical equipment, every contribution helps make a difference. Go ahead – stand up and cheer for your care team with an Ovation today!
World Renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon Bringing AI tools to the bedside Zain Khalpey MD, PhD, FACS, has been described as a “brilliant mind and vanguard of scientific innovation.” He has served the Arizona community since 2012 and now serves as HonorHealth’s Network Director of Artificial Intelligence. With an international reputation for applying artificial intelligence, regenerative medicine and precise medical techniques, he’s particularly focused on how new technology can treat – and even predict – sudden cardiac death. His focus extends to robotic coronary artery bypass, mitral valve repair, robotic atrial fibrillation ablation, total artificial hearts and using short and long term devices in shock and heart failure patients as well. “Joining HonorHealth allows me to focus on putting patients first,” says Dr. Khalpey. “I try to develop an emotional connection with each patient and their family – operating on a heart is more than just science. It requires a personal touch.” Dr. Khalpey is renowned for his work in acute heart failure, heart attacks and the use of AI tools for patients at the bedside. One patient in particular is Craig Cunningham, a former National Hockey League player and scout, who went into full cardiac arrest, collapsing before the opening puck dropped at a game on November 19, 2016. For more than 85 minutes, Cunningham lay lifeless on the ice as the team’s medical crew applied CPR. When emergency crews arrived, they transported him to the hospital. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Khalpey received the urgent call from the physician there. Cunningham was not responding to interventions. In an unusual and desperate move, Dr. Khalpey first rushed to his own hospital for specific supplies and most importantly, their ECMO machine, a heart-lung bypass technology used in extreme situations to do the work of the heart when it isn’t functioning effectively. Cunningham’s situation remained dire for several days but Dr. Khalpey’s expertise and personal commitment saved his life, The two men remain close friends and have teamed up to share their story and encourage people to get regular checkups with the goal of preventing sudden cardiac arrest. While Dr. Khalpey was instrumental following Cunningham’s heart attack, his passion is focusing on life-saving predictive analytics to prevent sudden cardiac crises. He is leading work at HonorHealth to build imaginative tools deployed directly at patients’ bedsides. “Our AI uniquely pinpoints high-risk individuals, providing prompt alerts to medical professionals,” Dr. Khalpey continues. “This innovation, as exemplified by stories like Craig's, holds the potential to save countless lives, but our mission reaches beyond mere survival; we aspire to prevent unthinkable medical scenarios.” His drive to understand each patient's uniqueness has earned him immense trust. By connecting science with compassion, his patented innovations are reshaping how we predict, prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. |
In the case of Caran, that gratitude is for Kris H. (pictured right), an outpatient physical therapist at HonorHealth.
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Join us in support of our tiniest and most fragile patients — the preemies in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Tickets are selling fast for the NICU Tea and Luncheon on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. This fun and philanthropic event boasts a reception, silent auction, special program and luncheon that you will not want to miss! Learn more and get your NICU Tea and Luncheon tickets today! |
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Smart giving strategies are more than a way to find tax deductions – they are a way to express your generosity in new, purposeful ways on your own timeline. Benefits of a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Consider a DAF for charitable giving But a DAF is not just a safe place to save money. Think of it as a wallet for enabling you to give generously according to your own values. If you currently have a Donor Advised Fund, consider making a gift to advance the exceptional care of HonorHealth. |
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Foundation earns certification for effective CGA management
What is a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)? Why consider a CGA? Learn more about the benefits of a Charitable Gift annuity, or contact us at 480-587-5000. |
The Association for Charitable Gift Annuities awards their seal to nonprofit organizations that agree to follow their standards of conduct for gift annuity programs and abide by associated state regulations. HonorHealth has earned the right to display this seal.
