February 2026
HonorHealth holds itself to a higher standard by caring for the whole person, not just their symptoms. Through the support of our generous community, HonorHealth Foundation works tirelessly to help solve healthcare’s toughest challenges.
Learn more at HonorHealthFoundation.org
Heart patient still feels good two years after receiving a combination pacemaker and defibrillator
Jeff, who works from home as a computer data-base manager for a major pharmacy firm, is a patient at the forefront of the revolution in wireless heart devices.
Nearly 12 years ago, he was one of the first at HonorHealth Research Institute to receive a wireless defibrillator. Then two years ago — after suffering a heart attack and numerous minor strokes — he was implanted with a wireless combination pacemaker and defibrillator; one to keep his heartbeat steady, and the other to automatically revive him, if needed.
It was Jeff’s third major device procedure. “I’m feeling good,” says Jeff, who before the pacemaker suffered from a slow heartbeat that left him struggling to keep up with his young grandchildren. “I couldn’t do as much as I used to. (Now), I can keep up with the grandkids better without getting wiped out.”
His devices were implanted by Thomas Mattioni, MD, a Scottsdale cardiologist affiliated with the Research Institute’s Cardiovascular Research Division.
Besides needing a battery replaced after about five years on that first defibrillator, which was replaced with a newer, slimmer one, it’s been clear sailing. Today, Jeff is grateful for the “fantastic” and “professional” care he’s received through the Research Institute.
“I’m still trying to keep on going. I want to remain active. It’s a quality of life thing,” he says. “I have a better quality of life and get to do the things I want to do. I hope this device helps a lot of people in the future. I want it to be successful. I’m super happy with the folks running the study.”
Historic gift establishes first-ever Distinguished Chair in Medicine at HonorHealth
Thanks to a transformational $5 million gift from long-time supporters John and Pit Lucking, HonorHealth is establishing the Lucking Family Distinguished Chair in Medicine — the first-ever distinguished chair in HonorHealth’s history.
This historic investment represents a major milestone in advancing academic medicine, research and comprehensive, personalized care for the community.
The gift is deeply personal for the Luckings. Years ago, John became an HonorHealth patient following a serious accident where he shattered three vertebrae while sliding down a glacier in the Antarctic peninsula. His wife, Pit, made the immediate decision to get him home to Phoenix and straight into the Intensive Care Unit at John C. Lincoln Medical Center. That experience — and the compassionate care John received — forged a lifelong connection to HonorHealth and its mission.
The connection has only deepened through John’s service as a member of HonorHealth Foundation’s Board of Trustees, reflecting commitment that extends far beyond his care journey. Today, that journey comes full circle with a gift that will have an impact on generations of physicians and patients, as well as the community’s future health care leaders from Arizona State University’s John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering. HonorHealth is the school’s primary clinical affiliate.
“This incredible gift is a powerful reflection of John and Pit Lucking’s enduring commitment to HonorHealth and the communities we serve,” says HonorHealth Foundation President and CEO Jared Langkilde, MBA, CFRE. “By establishing our first endowed chair, they are shaping a lasting legacy in academic medicine and inspiring others to invest in future innovation. We are truly thankful for their trust and generosity, and for sharing our vision for what’s possible when philanthropy and medicine unite.”
Advancing Excellence in Academic Medicine
Endowed support of this kind enables HonorHealth, working in collaboration with the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, to attract and retain top medical talent, pursue innovative research and translate discoveries into improved outcomes for patients.
“The establishment of this endowed chair significantly elevates our academic profile and positions HonorHealth as a destination for medical excellence in Arizona,” says Priya Radhakrishnan, MD, FACP who serves as HonorHealth Vice President and Chief Academic Officer and Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs & GME for the ASU John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering. “It strengthens our ability to serve as a hub for leading-edge research and clinical practice, bringing together top talent and collaboration in ways that will benefit patients and communities across the state.”
Endowed chairs are among the most prestigious and impactful forms of philanthropic support in academic medicine. They also strengthen the training mission. Studies show that endowed chairs create lasting gains in educator credibility, mentoring capacity and program development, underscoring how endowed support improves learning for trainees and care for patients.
Inspiring a Community of Philanthropy
For the Luckings, the decision to establish the chair was guided by gratitude for the care they received and a shared vision for the future of medicine. Their gift is not only a transformational investment in our community, but it will also inspire others to make meaningful commitments to the initiatives shaping the next era of healthcare locally.
“Our support of this endowed chair is rooted in a deep belief and appreciation for the people and the mission of HonorHealth — we got to experience this firsthand,” the Luckings say. “We hope the immediate impact of this investment helps strengthen our medical community and empowers others to join us in writing the next chapter for healthcare in Arizona. When we invest as a community in innovation and care, the impact stretches far beyond what one gift alone can achieve. That is what makes this moment most meaningful for our family.”
Investment in the future couldn’t come at a more critical time. Arizona is a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), and the state has only approximately 40 percent of its primary care needs met, according to the Healthy Arizona Workforce Coalition. Nearly 1,941 new primary care providers will be required by 2030 to avoid a worsening healthcare gap.
The affiliation between HonorHealth and the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering creates a pathway to leadership and discovery that will build a sustainable solution for healthcare access. It’s a strategic commitment to grow talent locally, while improving health outcomes statewide. Through HonorHealth’s Patrons of Promise initiative — an endowed chair matching challenge aimed at supporting academic medicine — this vision is powered by philanthropic leaders who believe in transforming healthcare for future generations.
“It has been an honor to work alongside John and Pit Lucking for so many years, and today, to bring their vision to life,” says Ashleigh Leite, FAHP, CFRE, HonorHealth Foundation Senior Vice President of Major Gifts. “Their leadership and generosity set a powerful standard, and they are lighting the way for others to join in building a healthier, more innovative future for all.”
The Lucking Distinguished Chair will be formally recognized in the near future as academic and hospital leadership identify a talented individual who understands the future of health care and also the needs of Arizona and its communities.
Introducing the HonorHealth Whole Health Institute
HonorHealth recently announced the launch of the Whole Health Institute — a bold new step in our mission to improve the health and well-being of those we serve.
While traditional care often focuses on treating symptoms, the Whole Health Institute is designed to help individuals thrive and enable them to prevent, manage or even reverse common chronic conditions. “This is a unique opportunity to reimagine healthcare by placing prevention and well-being at the center of the patient experience,” says Shad Marvasti, MD, Whole Health Institute Executive Director.
Chronic conditions continue to affect millions, but research shows that a person’s physical surroundings can influence health outcomes even more than their genetic code. This is one reason why the Whole Health Institute embraces proven approaches such as the Blue Zones initiative, which emphasizes the power of environment, connection and daily habits to extend longevity and vitality. Further, research in the emerging field of epigenetics shows that simple lifestyle changes, especially in nutrition, can influence gene expression in a matter of weeks. This exciting science underscores the belief that positive change is within reach for everyone.
In addition to Blue Zones principles, the Whole Health Institute encompasses Integrative Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, creating a unique ecosystem dedicated to helping individuals understand and elevate their health.
Dr. Marvasti looks forward to offering clarity in a world of constant, and often conflicting, health advice. With social media overflowing with trends and misinformation, he and his team are committed to helping people separate facts from fiction so they can make informed, science based decisions about their health.
The Whole Health Institute — grounded in its core pillars of exercise and movement, sleep and rest, food and nutrition, fulfillment and purpose, resilience and social connection — represents an inspiring new chapter for HonorHealth and our community. We look forward to the healthier futures it will help create.
Advancing clinical care through innovation
Today, modern medical marvels — regenerative medicines, futuristic technologies and devices, as well as nutrition science and other amazing advancements — offer solutions that were unthinkable just a few years ago. Innovation and disruption are converging, fueling our ability to be more than an interventional healthcare service provider; to deliver whole person well-being.
At HonorHealth, our mission is clear: to improve the health and well-being of those we serve. Yet in the rapidly evolving world of medicine, fulfilling that mission demands more than dedication; it requires innovation.
The HonorHealth Innovation Endowment in clinical care exists to bridge the critical gap between what traditional healthcare funding covers and what the future of medicine demands.
ICARE Values
HonorHealth’s ICARE Values are a bold proclamation of how we provide the best care, service and experience to you, your family and the community.
The “I” in ICARE stands for Innovation, which we define as keeping an open mind, embracing change, taking risks and maintaining a creative mindset as we work to continuously improve the care we provide.
Insurance and reimbursement models sustain today’s care, but they do not fund tomorrow’s breakthroughs. The Innovation Endowment ensures we can invest in transformative technologies, pioneering research and bold clinical ideas that redefine patient outcomes. It is our commitment to lead, not follow, in shaping the future of healthcare for our community.
Medical innovation is dynamic. It has the potential to improve operating efficiencies, advance medical technologies, personalize medicine through improved patient engagement and provide predictive analytics.
Through the visionary generosity of donors, these are just a few of the programs we can bring to life:
- Ambient Voice Technology
Ambient voice technology is an advanced, AI-powered voice recognition technology that quietly listens in on clinical encounters to automate medical transcription and note-taking. It enables physicians to quickly bring important information to the surface, allowing them to focus more intently on their patients. - Large Language Models
Large language models (LLMs) are a type of AI technology that can assist clinicians to make diagnoses, interpret test results and identify potential clinical trial opportunities for patients. By scrutinizing patient records, LLMs can draft or suggest treatment plans tailored to an individual’s medical history and specific needs. - Epic Cosmos
Epic Cosmos is a community collaboration that allows health systems to gain insights and make discoveries from their combined data created by providing care to more than 200 million patients. It anonymizes or removes personal patient information, providing tools for researchers while also delivering insights directly to clinicians. These insights are customized to each patient’s unique needs. - HonorHealth/CDW Transformation Center
Thanks to a generous gift from CDW Healthcare Solutions, the HonorHealth/CDW Transformation Center opened in late 2024 with the goal of testing solutions to healthcare challenges in a controlled, simulated environment. The innovations validated here have the potential to transform healthcare delivery worldwide.
Get a dollar-for-dollar credit on your AZ state taxes!
Donations to HonorHealth Desert Mission are eligible for the Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization Tax Credit!
If making a gift for your 2025 tax return, donate up to $495 (if you file your taxes individually) or up to $987 (if you file your taxes jointly), and you can receive your gift back as a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Arizona state taxes.
Your gift will support programs including the Desert Mission Food Bank, Adult Day Health Care and the Lincoln Learning Center.
Support HonorHealth Desert Mission today!
Support Croquet for a Cure!
Croquet for a Cure Player tickets have sold out and the event is almost at capacity! But you can still join us in the fight to END Alzheimer’s disease and related memory disorders by becoming a sponsor.
Our last remaining Croquet Court Sponsorship includes six Spectator tickets (with option of upgrading two to Player Spots), your name and/or logo advertised in a prime location near one of four courts, reserved seating and more!
Act now to secure a spot at the best lawn party in town on Saturday, March 7!
Pro-Am tee times are filling fast!
Act now to secure your registration or sponsorship for the HonorHealth Foundation Pro-Am on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Grayhawk Golf Club! More than half of the foursomes have already sold, but there's still time to be part of our most exciting golf event of the year
Your registration or sponsorship benefits the HonorHealth Foundation Greatest Needs fund, which allows HonorHealth to respond rapidly to unanticipated situations and urgent needs of patients and staff, addressing critical areas that might otherwise go unmet.
Register your team or secure your sponsorship today!
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