Dear friends,

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the path to impact stretches well beyond hospital walls. And it starts with us.

At HonorHealth Foundation, and HonorHealth, we are deeply attuned to closing access gaps and addressing the root causes of the social determinants of health to ensure every Arizonan receives the care they need.  

Together, we are investing in strategies, tools and processes to screen patients across the HonorHealth system for food insecurity, unstable housing, financial stress and other social determinants — ensuring that these critical needs are identified and met. Our Social Determinants of Health Steering Committee plays a pivotal role in shaping cross‑organization strategies aligned with the emerging community health needs assessment — now more important than ever in these uncertain times.

Through longstanding partnerships like Desert Mission, HonorHealth provides nutritious food, early childhood education, senior programs and financial resilience services — designed to reduce barriers and support overall well‑being for disadvantaged, vulnerable families. Additionally, our innovative collaboration with evolvedMD embeds behavioral health professionals within primary care sites — addressing mental health needs directly alongside other social needs. We are committed to whole-person, comprehensive care.

Your support helps us bring care to the people who need it most, wherever they may be. Your generosity elevates and empowers patient-centered care through innovation. YOU are the catalyst for transformation.

Thank you.

With gratitude,

Jared A. Langkilde, MBA, CFRE
President & CEO

Guardians of safety, companions in healing

Thanks to the generous support of donors, HonorHealth’s K-9 Security Program has been bringing protection and peace of mind to patients for 25 years.

We often talk about our K-9 Officers and their role as protectors and guardians, ensuring the safety of patients and staff at our medical centers. But they do so much more!

Recently, Bob — a gracious donor and friend of HonorHealth Foundation — experienced the softer side of this program firsthand as a patient at two HonorHealth medical centers.

Not having spent much time in hospitals before, Bob was surprised at how easy it is to feel down and start feeling sorry for yourself after a couple days of inpatient care. He found that despite regular visits from staff and members of his care team, he often felt lonely. But an unexpected visit from K-9 Officer Bama changed everything and gave him a new appreciation for the K-9 Security Program.

“The dog comes in with no agenda,” says Bob. “They’re not there to take your blood pressure or check your temperature — they’re just there to keep you company.”

A law enforcement retiree and self-proclaimed dog lover, Bob had the opportunity to work with dogs in a similar capacity over the course of his career. His experience with Bama was a reminder of a dog’s ability to serve as a source of comfort and security while helping to distract and uplift — taking your mind away from your troubles. It also moved him to make a special gift to the K-9 Security Program.

“As anyone who has experienced a hospital stay knows, any distraction and source of relief that comes is appreciated,” says Bob. “This is such a worthwhile program to have in place.”

Changing lives at any age 

For May, a spunky 87-year-old, ongoing abdominal and rectal pain was severely diminishing her quality of life. Her physician discovered a large rectal polyp that had become so heavy, it was protruding from her body and had to be removed.

May was referred to Dr. Andrew Kassir, an HonorHealth colorectal surgeon for surgery. At her age, open surgery carried increased risks, and Dr. Kassir believed May would benefit from endoscopic resection rather than a surgical procedure which would result in reliance upon a colostomy bag for the rest of her life. An endoscopic procedure is less invasive and associated with lower patient risk than open surgery.

Dr. Kassir referred May to Dr. Amar Thosani, a GI specialist at the HonorHealth Center for Interventional Endoscopy. Following an endoscopic ultrasound to rule out early cancer, Dr. Thosani chose his colleague, Dr. Cris Pitea (both pictured above), to perform the endoscopic submucosal dissection. An intervention of this complexity can only be performed in a few centers across the country and only by highly trained, skilled and experienced endoscopists. But the greatest joy, for both physician and patient, is that May, now 91, has recovered well, avoided having to use a colostomy bag and has had no recurrence of her condition.

K-9 Officer Bama raises patient’s spirits

K-9 Officer Bama, as you may recall, visited one of our beloved Foundation donors, who was a patient at HonorHealth Thompson Peak Medical Center. Bama spent 45 minutes on one visit to raise the spirits of Bob and learned about his life’s work, military career and family. Our K-9 Officers protect and serve but also spend time as healers and mood lifters.

Meet K-9 Officer Bama:

📅Birthdate: December 23, 2022
🏥Assigned Hospital: HonorHealth Thompson Peak
👮Handler Name: Henry Barraza (K52)
❤️Personality: Very loving and hard working
🧸Favorite toy: Firehose (her pacifier)
🐕Breed: Belgian Malinois
⚡Known by hospital staff for: Bama 2.0 (high energy)

Not all dogs become K-9 Officers, but all dogs protect, serve and hold special space in our hearts. On this National Dog Day, we send our heartfelt gratitude for the special ways they contribute to our lives and our community.

Donate to Toy Fund Drive for pediatric patients

Toys help our pediatric patients feel safe, supported and strong in a hospital setting that can otherwise be overwhelming. But today, our toy boxes are nearly empty, and we need your help to fill them.

Make your tax-deductible donation to the HonorHealth Toy Fund so that our young patients can receive toys to help them heal.

• $15 can provide coloring books or toy cars
• $25 can provide musical toys or dolls
• $50 can provide stuffed animals or craft kits
• $100 can provide LEGO sets or games

Donations of all sizes make a difference for the kids in our care. And if you give $50 or more before August 31, a stuffed animal will be delivered to the HonorHealth hospital of your choice — in your name.

Thank you for helping to make our pediatric patients smile!

Ready. Set. Grow! Tickets going fast

HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center welcomes the tiniest and most vulnerable patients into our arms through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). These special babies need innovative and precision care — made possible through your generosity.

Wrap your arms around our tiniest patients by supporting the NICU High Tea and Luncheon. Your ticket purchase helps these babies get Ready. Set. Grow!

This year's event will be held September 19, 2025, from 11 AM – 1:30 PM at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort.

Grab your seat today!

August is National Make-A-Will Month

Did you know that more than half of U.S. adults do not have a will?

For many, creating a will is something they’ve been meaning to do — but just haven’t gotten around to. That’s why August is recognized as National Make-A-Will Month: a timely reminder to take this important step for the people and causes you care about.

Creating or updating your will as part of your estate plan is one of the most effective ways to protect your loved ones and reflect your values. It’s also a powerful opportunity to leave a lasting legacy to a cause that’s meaningful to you.

If you or your loved ones haven’t yet made a will — or need to update an existing one — HonorHealth Foundation has gathered simple tools and resources to help you get started.

Download your free step-by-step Estate Planning Guide and get the information you need to start creating your will or trust today!

Want more information or have questions? Contact the HonorHealth Foundation Planned Giving team via email at LegacyGiving@honorhealth.com, or call (480) 587-5000.

Macy’s Presents Give Her Strength for the Fight Fashion Show
benefiting HonorHealth Cancer Care

HonorHealth Foundation and Macy’s are working to give all women the strength to fight on their journey back to health with a special fashion show where proceeds return to HonorHealth Cancer Care!

You can help them fight, too. Buy a ticket to our “cancer catwalk,” in partnership with Scottsdale Fashion Square, and you’ll be donating to HonorHealth Cancer Care to support all patients navigating the breast cancer journey.

This fun and fashionable soiree will be held at Macy’s at Scottsdale Fashion Square on Friday, October 3.

Learn more and get your fashion show tickets today!