June 2024

At HonorHealth, we hold ourselves to a higher standard by caring for the whole person, not just their symptoms. Through the support of a generous community, HonorHealth Foundation helps us proactively support the well-being of the communities we serve by constantly innovating and investing to solve healthcare's toughest challenges.

With more than 90 years of experience delivering quality healthcare, no organization knows and understands our communities like we do.

Empowering Hope

The Lifesaving Impact of Early Detection in Breast Cancer Care

The power of early breast cancer detection is often a beacon of light, illuminating a path to better outcomes, improved quality of life and renewed hope for those who are touched by this disease.

In the United States alone, one-in-eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. While rare, it can also occur in men. Annual screenings are hailed as a hero of preventive healthcare. They play a pivotal role, offering a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential health concerns before they escalate into more serious conditions.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, women who receive annual mammograms from the ages of 40 to 84 experience a 40 percent lower breast cancer mortality rate than women with no screenings. Mammograms also decrease the number of women diagnosed with cancer in a later stage, when it can be more difficult to treat and more likely to have spread.

HonorHealth provides convenient access to state-of-the art breast imaging technologies, including mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies and MRIs. Since its dedication in 2001, HonorHealth Cancer Care has become a leader in caring for our family and friends fighting the disease that threatens their lives.

Here, patients have access to a powerful combination of top physicians, advanced technology, leading-edge clinical trials and caring, compassionate professionals — providing personalized care in a calming, supportive environment.

In fact, HonorHealth Cancer Care was the first comprehensive cancer center in metro Phoenix to offer diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials and support services all under one roof.

When it comes to the care and treatment of breast cancer, patients have access to a vast team of breast cancer specialists who map out customized treatment plans designed specifically for them. The team often includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, geneticists, dietitians, navigators and reproductive endocrinologists.

One of these specialists is Sommer Gunia, DO, who is dedicated to bringing the highest level of breast care to her patients by incorporating her expertise in the newest technologies and advancements available for both the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Her training included the oncoplastic surgical technique, which combines the principles of cancer removal with plastic surgery for optimal cosmetic results.

"One of my most important goals is to provide my patients with choices,” said Dr. Gunia. “When it comes to decision making involving their treatment, I want them to know they are in the driver’s seat, and I am there to present them with the most up-to-date information."

Early detection and timely interventions often replace fear with empowerment. The empowerment that equips every individual with the tools, resources and compassionate support to navigate the complexities of breast cancer with grace, dignity and unwavering resilience.

Whether it’s surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapies, or even clinical trials through the HonorHealth Research Institute that identify groundbreaking new drugs and treatments, HonorHealth Cancer Care continues to meet and exceed the needs of patients when they need it most.

A Holistic Approach to Wellness

Exploring the transformative power of Integrative Medicine

In the ever-changing world of modern healthcare, a gentle shift is taking place — one that embraces the age-old wisdom of holistic healing while integrating cutting-edge medical advancements.

Welcome to the world of integrative medicine, where the art of healing is as much about nurturing the body as it is about soothing the soul. Here, traditional practices harmonize with innovative therapies that engage the mind, body and spirit.

The Integrative Medicine team at HonorHealth, led by Shad Marvasti, MD, MPH, walks patients on a journey through the heart of this discipline, where compassion, collaboration and the pursuit of holistic wellness converge on a path toward vibrant health and well-being.

Six out of every 10 Americans suffer from a chronic disease which represents seven of the top 10 causes of death in this country: cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, obesity and cancer.

While genetics contribute approximately 30 percent of the risk for these conditions, the remaining 70 percent is the result of diet, lifestyle and factors determined by where and how we live.

HonorHealth’s Integrative Medicine Program offers a personalized, whole-person approach to care that empowers patients with the tools they need to prevent, treat and reverse chronic disease for optimal health.

The result? Many patients experience fewer medications and hospital visits.

“Without this holistic approach, we will continue to see the worsening of the chronic diseases of our time with more heart attacks, cancers, diabetes and obesity,” shares Dr. Marvasti.

“Our goal is to empower patients with the tools they need, not just to live longer chronologically, but instead to improve their health span, which is the period of life where you’re able to do everything you want to do without limits from disease and multiple medications.”

Today, many people are understandably frustrated by the focus on disease instead of prevention, driving them to look for alternatives to conventional medicine that are not limited to only medications or surgery.

Evolving over thousands of years, integrative medicine combines ancient healing practices with the latest breakthroughs in modern medicine. It seeks to tap into the innate ability of the body to heal itself by addressing the root causes of disease through a whole person approach to care.

Using an evidence-based and holistic approach, our physicians have completed a two-year fellowship in Integrative Medicine in addition to their primary specialty training. Their focus is on the power of food as medicine as well as lifestyle changes to optimize health and minimize the need for medication or medical procedures.

In addition to our doctors, the team includes registered dietitians, acupuncturists and massage therapists who work together to provide personalized care plans.

Those plans include targeted exercise and food prescriptions, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, mind-body practices to optimize stress management and insights to enhancing sleep quality. Therapies include ways to boost your health through social connections, clinical hypnosis, herbal medicine, evidenced-based supplements and more.

In a world where the pace is relentless, and the demands are endless, integrative medicine offers a sanctuary — a place where healing is not just about treating symptoms but about nourishing the whole person. As we embrace the principles of integrative care, we open ourselves to a world of possibility, where health is not merely the absence of disease, but a vibrant state of balance and vitality.

As we anticipate the continued evolution of medical technology, this expansion reaffirms HonorHealth's dedication to the early and accurate detection of lung cancer, ensuring better outcomes and exceptional patient care.

HonorHealth cardiologist’s radiation research now a PBS series

David G. Rizik, MD, chief of interventional cardiology, narrates and is a co-producer of a documentary focused on radiation and orthopedic injuries suffered by doctors and nurses who work in cardiac catheterization laboratories. His research pioneers new ways to keep healthcare workers safe.

The entire two-hour, six-part version of Scattered Denial: The Occupational Dangers of Radiation is now streaming on ScatteredDenial.org, preceding a one-hour version that will air nationally in July on PBS (exact broadcast date/time TBA).

“The ‘scatter’ is radiation scatter, and ‘denial’ is how we’ve denied that this was happening until it was too late,” said Dr. Rizik, who also serves as research director of the Cardiovascular Research Division at HonorHealth Research Institute.

The documentary includes interviews with pioneers of interventional cardiac catheterization, in which multiple x-rays are used to navigate stents, valves, pacemakers and other devices through the vascular system and into and around the heart to restore patient health without resorting to the risks posed by open-heart surgery.

About Dr. Rizik

David G. Rizik, MD, MSCAI, FACC, is founder and medical director of HonorHealth Heart Group’s Shea location in Scottsdale, where he has practiced for more than 30 years, now serving as Chief of Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Rizik is board certified in interventional cardiology, cardiovascular diseases and internal medicine and is considered one of the world leaders in his subspecialty.

To share his expertise and support advancements in heart care, he founded the Scottsdale Interventional Forum (SIF), a nationally recognized medical education meeting. During the COVID pandemic, he was the first to convert a CME meeting to a virtual platform. After a 13-month hiatus of all CME meetings in the US, SIF was the first to return to a live format. He is also the executive producer of the two-time Emmy Award winning medical education series “The Procedure.”

Caring for the caregivers

But Dr. Rizik’s most recent innovation is a scientific study of how advanced radiation shields reduce risk for the caregivers he works with every day. Interventional cardiology — one of the most advanced fields of medical science over the last half-century — has made no substantive changes in protecting those who perform interventional procedures.

These professionals, who work to save and improve lives, actually put their own health at risk with repeated exposure to low-level radiation over time. The lead apron currently in use offers no protection to the head, face and extremities, increasing the risk of cataracts, brain tumors and other cancers. At 30-40 lbs., the aprons can, over time, lead to chronic orthopedic issues.

HonorHealth Research Institute was one of the first healthcare providers in the country, and the first in Arizona, to use an advanced radiation protection device in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. Their findings were published in the Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (JSCAI), demonstrating that in nearly 70 percent of the study cases, radiation exposure to the physicians and nurses was so low as to be “undetectable” using real-time dosimetry. This reduction may eliminate the need for cardiac catheterization laboratory staff to wear the orthopedically burdensome lead aprons.

HonorHealth ratings and awards

Providing high-quality and safe care is at the heart of HonorHealth’s mission to improve the health and well-being of our community. So you can make the best choice for your healthcare needs, we post our rankings publicly.

HonorHealth's Leapfrog Safety grades, STAR ratings and Magnet designation are evidence of our continual commitment to innovation and excellence. Visit the HonorHealth website to see details for each of HonorHealth's six medical centers.

7th Annual NICU Tea and Luncheon
Wednesday, October 2, 2024

HonorHealth Foundation’s annual tea was so much fun, we had to expand it to a luncheon! Join us to support our tiniest and most fragile patients in the HonorHealth Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. RSVP early, as this event always sells out!

Learn more and reserve your spot at the NICU Tea and Luncheon today!

3rd Annual Desert Mission Morning of GOLD breakfast
Tuesday, October 22, 2024

At this year's Morning of GOLD, we are excited to have Lauren Bailey, CEO and Co-Founder of Postino’s + Upward Projects, as the keynote speaker. Lauren will speak on What Feeds her Soul, as well as the topic of “Food is Medicine,” which links nutrition and healthcare. Proceeds from this extraordinary event benefit the programs and services of HonorHealth Desert Mission.

Learn more and reserve your spot at the Morning of GOLD today!