Moments

Confronting the Crisis

DEPARTMENTS

DEPARTMENTS

The Insider

Updates from around Phoenix Children’s.

Because Moments Count

Your philanthropy creates the little moments that make big moments possible.

Healing Spaces

Camp Rainbow gives cancer patients a summer to remember.

Innovation

A groundbreaking device helps one patient experience the world around him.

5 Questions

Child Life Specialist Brittany Brown helps children and their families in their most challenging times.

Common Cause Find out how you can get involved in upcoming events that support Phoenix Children’s patients and their families.

Confronting the Crisis

Phoenix Children’s offers a new approach to providing urgently needed mental health care.

A Founding Physician Gives Back

After nearly 40 years, Dr. Herbert Winograd’s commitment to Phoenix Children’s shows no sign of stopping.

Making a Lasting Impact

Ginger and Don Brandt want their support of Phoenix Children’s to inspire others to give.

PHOENIX CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS

CHAIRWOMAN

Alexa Schneider Kimbell

PAST CHAIRMAN

Kevin Czerwinski

Merit Partners

VICE CHAIRWOMAN/SECRETARY

Sheila Zuieback

Halle Family Foundation

EMERITUS

Larry Clemmensen Community Volunteer

Taylor Burke Rainy Partners

PHOENIX CHILDREN’S PRESIDENT AND CEO Robert L. Meyer

PHOENIX CHILDREN’S CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, FOUNDATION Steven S. Schnall

Michael Bill MJ Insurance

Scott Bindley Screenwriter

Ahron Cohen Polar Sun Ventures

Shane Doan Arizona Coyotes Hockey Club

Ed Grant Scottsdale Investment Management

Taylor Melvin Battery Metals Streaming Corp.

J. Paul Rhodes

Community Volunteer

Chris Stamets Western Retail Advisors

The human spirit is a powerful one.

It’s something I’m reminded of every day as I step foot in the lobby of Phoenix Children’s.

Watching families come in, many for the first time, I see worry in the eyes of parents often contrasted by the optimism I see in the eyes of their children.

In both, I see their incredible resilience and how important it is to them to have Phoenix Children’s here to turn to, providing reassurance and exceptional care no matter the hurdles that lie ahead of them.

As the largest children’s hospital in the region, we feel a tremendous responsibility to deliver the best, most innovative care to every child we treat. Our physicians, nurses, researchers and staff do what they do best with passion and compassion, aware of the fact that overcoming childhood illness and injury is both an emotional and visceral journey. We take the wins and the setbacks very much to heart.

That’s why Phoenix Children’s is leading the charge to ensure the mental and physical health of our patients are treated equally. The past two and a half years have shone a light on the importance of pediatric mental health—addressing and destigmatizing it and making essential resources accessible to all.

We are proud to introduce Moments, our newly redesigned publication capturing the urgency we feel in those meaningful and defining moments to provide holistic, world-class care now to those fighting for their health—because every moment counts.

Our supporters have helped us get to where we are, and we invite you to continue making a difference. Because one small change in our hearts can change the course of many lives now and in the future.

Sincerely,

STEVE SCHNALL

Chief Development Officer, Foundation

Phoenix Children’s

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Updates from Around Phoenix Children’s

Stepping up to stop cancer

Braden was only 5 years old when he and his parents noticed a lump on his jaw that wasn’t going away. After doctors at their local clinic in Prescott struggled to make a diagnosis, Braden and his family were referred to Phoenix Children’s, where a biopsy showed that he had myeloid sarcoma—a rare cancerous tumor common in people with acute myeloid leukemia—and needed to start treatment as soon as possible.

active 5-year-old boy. Luckily, thanks to donor-funded programs at Phoenix Children’s, including animalassisted therapy, art therapy and Child Life, Braden has something to smile about every day of the week.

Meet our newest board members

Shane Doan

played for the Arizona Coyotes for 21 seasons, including 13 as captain, and was the first Coyotes player to have his jersey number retired by the team. In 2021, he joined the Coyotes’ front office.

4 bold new research projects funded

Leadership Circle is a giving group that invests in highimpact projects led by Phoenix Children’s physicians and researchers, allowing the hospital’s best and brightest minds to bring their bold ideas to fruition. Earlier this year, the group announced its 2022 Leadership Circle grant recipients:

Ride of a Life Time

Marnie Rich, a cycling instructor at Life Time–Happy Valley Peoria, found the perfect opportunity to combine her passion for fitness with philanthropy: Ride of a Life Time, a nationwide cycling event in which participants ride at Life Time fitness clubs or via livestreamed classes to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. At this year’s ride in April, Rich rallied her cycling community to raise funds for Phoenix Children’s. She singlehandedly raised $35,935, making her the top fundraiser in the country and Life Time Happy Valley–Peoria the top fundraising club, with a total of more than $50,000 in donations.

Braden’s treatment includes four 30- to 40-day rounds of inpatient chemotherapy, which can be extremely isolating—away from his brother, Ben, and the comforts of home—for an otherwise happy,

Nearly 16,000 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, Phoenix Children’s asked Arizonans to step up and join the fight against childhood cancer—and they answered the call, raising more than $1,350,000 for Phoenix Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders to help Braden and kids like him.

Crypto

for Care

This year, one local artist got creative and raised $7,500 in cryptocurrency for Phoenix Children’s. J. Pierce (@iamjpierce) donated 5% of the proceeds from sales of his nonfungible tokens (NFTs) to the hospital. You can now donate to Phoenix Children’s using cryptocurrency.

Visit GiveToPCH.org/crypto to learn how.

Doan also represented his native Canada in the Olympic Games, the World Championships and the World Cup. He is a past recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for community service (2010) and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award (2012).

Ed Grant is a partner at Scottsdale Investment Management (SIM), a Scottsdalebased real estate investment company. Prior to joining SIM in 2018, he served as manager of land acquisitions and in other roles at Salt River Project.

A former City of Scottsdale planning commissioner, Grant earned a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business.

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IGNITE: A Home Monitoring Program for Infants with Cleft Palate

Principal investigator: Thomas Sitzman, MD, Department of Plastic Surgery

The goal: Offer feeding- and weight-monitoring options for infants with cleft lip and/or cleft palate to mitigate malnutrition risks while minimizing inperson visits and related caregiver burdens.

Be Our Guest: Modernizing the Psychology Waitlist Experience

Principal investigator: Carla C. Allan, PhD, Division of Psychology

The goal: Help the more than 1,650 families waiting to get help from Phoenix Children’s Division of Psychology by exploring solutions beyond the traditional outpatient service model.

The Role of Detergents in the Pathogenesis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Principal investigator: Benjamin Wright, MD, Division of Pulmonology

The goal: Prevent and treat allergic disease in children by investigating how detergents initiate allergic inflammation.

Connect: Helping Leukemia Patients Thrive at Home Principal investigator: Alexandra Walsh, MD, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

The goal: Reduce the preventable readmission rate among acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients during their first month of therapy by identifying potentially worrisome symptoms via a daily questionnaire texted to families.

Embracing the Moment

Your generosity creates the little moments that make big moments possible.

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Dylan was full of laughter while playing with his dad. He practices mind control as he attempts to freeze Pikachu midair.

Emily, a heart patient, helps administer her antibiotics. Earlier that morning, Emily felt anxious when receiving her medication. Nurse Makenzie decided to include Emily in the process this time to help calm her nerves.

Child Life Specialist distracts Daleyza, age 4, with her favorite videos while a cast tech forms a cast to correct her club foot.

Engineers and physical therapists at Phoenix Children’s Gait Lab measure Gabriel’s 3D motion and muscular activity. This data will help physicians create a customized treatment plan for Gabriel’s knee.

A Special Kind of Summer Camp

Every child deserves a memorable summer camp experience. But for kids with cancer or a chronic blood disorder, leaving home for camp can be stressful— even impossible. Camp Rainbow changes that for Phoenix Children’s patients.

Funded entirely by philanthropy, Camp Rainbow is open to current and past patients of Phoenix Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. There is no cost to attend the weeklong

camp, during which kids participate in a wide range of activities.

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Camp Rainbow

returned this summer, welcoming campers to its new 238-acre location at Loft Canyon Camp in Williams, Arizona.

Help a Kid Go to Camp!

Camp Rainbow is making summer camp a reality for kids with cancer and blood disorders—and you can help. To donate, visit GiveToPCH.org/camp

SUMMER TREATS

Founded in 1985, the camp moved into its new facility last summer.

UNIQUE CARE

CLASSIC

A New Way of Seeing

A groundbreaking device transforms one visually impaired patient’s life.

Christian was just 4 when surgery to remove a complex brain tumor resulted in total vision loss. While he has adapted well both socially and academically, he continues to face challenges in a world built for sighted people. Some of his biggest challenges are not being able to read books, homework, menus or signs without having them translated into Braille, a process that can take months.

Christian’s mom, Brenda, knew there had to be options. She continues to hold out hope that, one day, a medical breakthrough will restore Christian’s vision. And if that ever happens, she wants to know about it right away. That’s why it was important to her for Christian to continue seeing an ophthalmologist.

“The first two ophthalmologists we went to were like, ‘What do you want me to do for him? He can’t see,’” Brenda says. “But Dr. Rama was different. She said, ‘Yes, he can’t see, but … .’ And that ‘but’ is all we needed to hear. That’s when we knew we had found the right eye doctor.”

The power of technology

Aparna Ramasubramanian, MD, aka Dr. Rama, told Christian and his family about the OrCam MyEye 2, a device that could interpret written text and read it aloud to Christian so he wouldn’t have to rely on Braille, which isn’t always available. Christian was

interested, but the OrCam came with a steep price tag: $5,000.

Dr. Rama and Christian’s oncologist, Lindsey M. Hoffman, DO, didn’t want cost to stand in the way of him getting the assistance he deserved. So they applied for and received a grant to pay for the device, and Christian received his OrCam, opening up a whole new world for him.

From diagnosis to honor roll

Christian is still learning how to use all of the device’s capabilities, which include facial recognition to help him know who’s in a room with him and the ability to do schoolwork and read books without waiting for them to be translated.

“The OrCam software self-updates,” says Brenda, “meaning it will continue

to serve Christian for years to come— maybe even his whole life.”

“Now, we can go to the library and pick out any book to read,” she adds. “And this past year, Christian made honor roll all four quarters.”

Dr. Rama says she has already identified about 20 other patients who would benefit from having an OrCam. “The technology is incredible,” she says. “We’re just hoping to secure the funding.”

Give the Gift

of

Innovation To help more kids like Christian receive care for their eyes, donate to GiveToPCH.org/eyes

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Christian is able to enjoy new independence with the OrCam MyEye 2, a device that interprets written text and reads it aloud.

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Confronting the Crisis

For children and families navigating complex health care needs, challenges can arise even under the best of circumstances. Factor in complications such as trauma from abuse, mental health problems, food insecurity, bullying or homelessness, and it is clear why Arizona’s children are struggling.

The immediate need

The percentage of children in Arizona with two or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is well above the national average. ACEs are traumatic events, such as experiencing or witnessing violence, abuse or neglect; losing a family member to death, divorce or prison; or having a caregiver who has a substance use disorder or mental health problems.

Children who encounter ACEs during pivotal developmental stages grow up to be adults who lack the tools needed to overcome the lasting impacts of their childhood trauma. They’re also at increased risk for chronic disease and mental health challenges. And yet only 40% of children in Arizona have access to the mental health care they need.

Today, thousands of the state’s most vulnerable youth desperately need access to comprehensive care that includes mental health services. Phoenix Children’s is

working to change that with a new approach that focuses on integrated care.

Integrated, holistic care

The newly established Center for Child and Adolescent Resiliency (CCAR) will create an integrated health care model in which vulnerable children and their families have easy access to physical and mental health care, social services and more, often all in one place.

“We offer all of these services now,” says Jared Muenzer, MD, MBA, Physician-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of Phoenix Children’s Medical Group, who is spearheading the center’s

Phoenix Children’s offers a new approach to providing urgently needed mental health care.

“Mental health is critical to long-term outcomes. And what we’re doing here is embedding mental health specialists into the settings in which patients are receiving their medical care.”

— CARLA C. ALLAN, PHD Hagenah Family Endowed Chair and Division Chief of Psychology

development. “What we’re looking to do with the center is aggregate these services, expand them and make them easier to navigate for families operating under already challenging circumstances.”

As a virtual center, CCAR won’t have a physical location, but it will offer a seamless experience for patients. A large part of that will come from centralized care navigation, in which patients and their caregivers will be matched with a care navigator who will be a single point of contact to help them:

• Find trauma-informed care providers and specialists, including mental health providers Enroll in a health plan, if necessary Schedule coordinated appointments to reduce trips to the hospital campus

• Identify barriers to health—such as food, housing insecurity and transportation issues—and connect them with social and legal services

• Empower families to participate in their care through consistent contact, coaching and support.

CCAR Medical Director Prabodh Hemmady, MD, describes it as a holistic approach. “The traditional approach has all of these things sort of separated, which only makes it more difficult for families who are already dealing with significant adversities to access,” he says. “What we envision is taking a more holistic point of view, looking at the influences in children’s lives that are impacting not just their health but their overall quality of life and how we can alleviate them.”

The CCAR will bring mental health services into the mix from the beginning.

“There’s a saying I like and it’s, ‘There’s no such thing as health without mental health,’” says Carla C. Allan, PhD, Hagenah Family Endowed Chair and Division Chief of Psychology. “Mental health is critical to long-term outcomes. And what we’re doing here is embedding mental health specialists into the settings in which patients are receiving their medical care.”

ONE FAMILY ANSWERS THE CALL

Susan and Phil Hagenah

A brighter future

As the preeminent children’s hospital in Arizona, Phoenix Children’s is uniquely positioned to help reduce the negative effects trauma and childhood adversities have on children. In fact, it’s the innovative program staff that are making CCAR possible, Dr. Muenzer says.

“I’m extremely proud of the phenomenal group of leaders who are coming together to provide the best, most integrated care possible to our most vulnerable patients,” he says. “With support from the community, you’re going to see this center take off, and you’re going to see us develop some amazing things.”

A DIVERSE MIX OF PROGRAMS

The Center for Child and Adolescent Resiliency’s integrated approach to pediatric care brings together eight divisions and programs that serve vulnerable children and families.

• Primary and Complex Care

• Inpatient Complex Care

• Behavioral Health

• Palliative Care

• Child Protection

• Homeless Youth Outreach

• Adverse Childhood Experiences

• Adolescent Medicine

When Susan and Phil Hagenah first heard about the Center for Child and Adolescent Resiliency, they were intrigued. After all, they had seen what a toll the pandemic had taken on the younger generations, including their own eight grandchildren, ranging in age from 6 to 16.

They sat down with Carla C. Allan, PhD, Division Chief of Psychology, to learn more about the vision for the center.

“We were just blown away by Dr. Allan,” Phil says. “Her background is quite impressive, and she has such passion and enthusiasm for helping young people with mental health problems.”

Soon after, the Hagenahs made a gift to the Phoenix Children’s Foundation to establish

Dr. Allan’s position as the Hagenah Family Endowed Chair, Division Chief of Psychology.

“We are so thankful for donors like the Hagenahs,” Dr. Allan says. “Support from our community is critical. Without it, I don’t know how this dream would be possible.”

The Hagenahs are excited to see the impact the center will make on the community in the coming years.

“The last few years have really highlighted how much our youth are struggling with anxiety, depression, bullying and other serious challenges,” Susan says. “We are hopeful that Dr. Allan and the center will help us move past stigmas surrounding mental illness and open more doors for families to receive help.”

Julia Soto, Phoenix Children’s Medical Group Operations Administrative Director, agrees community support is vital to the center’s success, as many of the services the program is planning to offer aren’t covered by insurance. She and the center’s other leaders have a goal of CCAR one day being self-sustainable, once they can accumulate enough data to show payers that their services reduce overall care costs and improve patient outcomes. In the meantime, though, Soto is grateful for every supporter.

“Philanthropy is what’s allowing us to think outside the box and develop a center that will be able to address the many different needs of our children and families,” she says. “Without community members believing in them, the kids that are most in need of support might not get the chance to be the best version of themselves.”

Help Arizona Children Thrive with Mental Health Care

The Center for Child and Adolescent Resiliency won’t get off the ground without your support. Donate today at GiveToPCH.org/CCAR.

Carla C. Allan, PhD, Hagenah Family Endowed Chair and Division Chief of Psychology (center), with Susan and Phil Hagenah and their family.

A Founding PhysicianGives Back

Dr. Herbert Winograd’s commitment to Phoenix Children’s shows no sign of stopping.

Pediatrician Herbert Winograd, MD, moved to Phoenix from Cleveland in 1972. Back then, children’s health care in the Valley looked very different than it does today. Pediatric services were spread out among Good Samaritan, St. Joseph’s and Maricopa County hospitals. Outlying hospitals had few, if any, pediatric services. And there were gaps in subspecialty care.

“There was a scarcity of pediatric subspecialists,” Dr. Winograd says. “The ones we had were excellent, but the whole field wasn’t covered. For things that weren’t terribly complicated, we sent children to see adult specialists, but children with very serious problems, including gastrointestinal and neurological problems—we’d have to send them to UCLA, which was terribly inconvenient for families.”

Phoenix Children’s is born Dr. Winograd and other area pediatricians began to put the word out that Phoenix was a burgeoning medical community in need of more pediatric subspecialists.

“By the early 80’s, we had accumulated many very fine subspecialists, which was the basis for starting the children’s hospital here,” he says. “Having completed my training at a university children’s hospital, I was very happy to be asked to help out in planning a children’s hospital for Phoenix. I thought it could really be my most important contribution to the community that I had brought my family to.”

Phoenix Children’s Hospital opened within Good Samaritan Hospital in 1983, with Dr. Winograd as the first chief of staff. He is the only one in Phoenix Children’s history to serve two terms, from 1983–85 and 1985–87.

It was a volunteer position then, so Dr. Winograd conducted business largely before or after hours.

“I felt if I could do anything to help found the children’s hospital, I would be happy to have meetings at 5:30 in the morning before I started my hospital rounds and practice,” he says. “And so we had many planning meetings early in the morning.”

Growing—and growing

Dr. Winograd and the other founding physicians and board members worked hard to establish a home for high-quality children’s health care in the Valley. But none of them dreamed Phoenix Children’s would be what it is today. Even so, Dr. Winograd had the wherewithal to specify the need for the hospital to remain autonomous in the charter.

“One of my duties was to help write the hospital’s vision. And the one line that I was very strongly in favor of was that the hospital should be autonomous and physically identifiable,” he says. “We didn’t want it to get swallowed up by a larger entity.”

Leave a Legacy of Your Own

That decision has paid off in spades.

“At the time, we were building a children’s hospital for the community,” Dr. Winograd says. “It has since become a very important institution for the Southwest. That is something I’m very proud to see that my successors have accomplished. Because of that, and the incredible research the hospital is doing, management has been able to attract some top pediatric experts from all over the country.”

Not done yet

Even though Dr. Winograd is 19 years retired, he’s still invested in the success of the children’s hospital that moved in 2002 to the 22-acre campus it now occupies.

“When I drive down the 51 and I see the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, I get a great deal of pleasure out of the fact that I had a small part in starting it and had no idea that it would become what it is today,” he says.

He’s so dedicated, in fact, that Dr. Winograd has decided to leave a percentage of his estate to the hospital. He hopes other physicians will do the same.

“It was an easy decision to make,” he says. “In doing so, it lets me continue the work that I started 40 years ago. And perhaps it’ll serve as a beacon for other physicians, to make similar contributions. My contribution alone might not be much in the scheme of things, but maybe the aggregate will be very important to the financial future of the hospital we’ve built.”

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Whether you’re a physician, staff member or supporter, consider including Phoenix Children’s in your estate plans. Visit GiveToPCH.org/gift-planning to learn more.

A Lasting Impact

Don and Ginger Brandt want their support of Phoenix Children’s to inspire others to invest in its future.

The lobby of Phoenix Children’s main tower has always been a special place to Ginger Brandt—the red chairs, the bear sculptures, the natural light filtering into the bright open space.

“It’s a place for families to sit when they just need a break. Doctors, nurses and staff often gather for meetings, too, because it’s such a comforting gathering place,” she says. “To me, there is something about that lobby that is so meaningful.”

Today, Ginger and her husband, Don, have their names on the lobby wall in celebration of their giving to the hospital. The couple hopes to see their gift not only serve Phoenix Children’s but also inspire others to give.

A history of giving

The Brandts, both St. Louis natives, moved to Phoenix more than 20 years ago. Don, who became the CEO of Arizona Public Service (APS) in 2009, had been chairman of the board at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Foundation, a facility that had saved his son’s life, and Ginger worked in children’s health care and fundraising.

Once settled in their new city, the Brandts learned about Phoenix Children’s through Nancy Loftin, a board member at Phoenix Children’s who worked with Don as the general counsel at APS. They believed in Phoenix Children’s and its strategic direction.

“By almost any definition, Phoenix Children’s is an elite children’s hospital,” says Don, who retired in 2019. “It boils down to this: A child doesn’t have any choices, particularly when it comes to medical conditions. Simply put, every kid deserves a healthy start.”

Ginger wanted to help more and joined the Phoenix Children’s Foundation staff as a gift officer in 2016.

“I believe it is the crown jewel of Arizona for supporting kids and families,” Ginger adds. “We hope families never have to go to Phoenix Children’s, but the reality is that everyone will likely be touched by it in one way or another.”

Its focus on family-centered care sets Phoenix Children’s apart, according to Ginger.

“We have a health library, a play zone, a chapel, a school, all of these family-centered care programs that complement the lifesaving work we’re doing,” she explains. “It’s about taking care of things that take a little bit of the stress off of the family—and most of those programs are funded through philanthropy.”

A meaningful gift

While the Brandts had a history of giving to the hospital—including a significant gift to support the EMS Workroom in the expanded Level I Trauma Center—Ginger continued to think about the lobby. It was a special place that truly spoke to them.

Meanwhile, Ginger and Don had been having estate planning conversations. What would their legacy be?

“Some good friends told us it’s a lot more fun to contribute to something while you’re alive,” says Don, who currently serves on the Center for Heart Care’s advisory board. “I thought about that.”

Unbeknownst to Ginger, Don worked behind the scenes on a plan that came together just before her birthday in February 2022, allowing him to surprise her with a special gift: a rendering of the lobby that means so much to her with their names on it.

“We hope our support inspires others to find something they treasure at Phoenix Children’s,”

Ginger says. “Maybe it’s a physical space, a program or a Center of Excellence. But once you find your passion, join us in investing in the future of Arizona’s children.”

Setting an example

The Brandts’ gift will go where the hospital needs it most. Beyond its impact on Phoenix Children’s families, they hope it sets an example.

“Very few people are aware of the finances behind a pediatric institution, what it takes to run a hospital like this, how important it is to the community and the state and this corner of our nation,” Don says. “I can’t think of a better cause.”

Ginger sees giving to Phoenix Children’s as a way to give beyond the now. “Transformational gifts are essential. And when you give to Phoenix Children’s, you’re investing in our children and in the future of Arizona,” she says. “We have faith in this organization and believe in its value for families across Arizona and the entire Southwestern United States. To me, that is what this gift signifies.”

“Transformational gifts are essential. And when you give to Phoenix Children’s, you’re investing in our children and in the future of Arizona.”

— GINGER BRANDT

More Than a Job

Child Life Specialist Brittany Brown helps children and their families in their most challenging times. It’s a role she calls a “privilege.”

Scottsdale native Brittany Brown joined Phoenix Children’s as a Child Life Specialist in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in July 2020. In her role, she stands side by side with critically ill patients and their families to offer coping strategies, prepare them for procedures and give end-of-life support. We talked to Brown to find out how she balances the ups and downs of her job, what she does in her free time, and who inspires her the most.

What is a surprising fun fact about yourself? I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie.

How do you balance the emotional ups and downs?

I am here to support kids, siblings and family members, normalizing what may feel to them like a strange environment to make it less traumatic. I use my own coping skills naturally throughout the day, but I also have phenomenal PICU and Child Life teams who support not just patients and families but also staff.

I like sky diving and whitewater rafting, things that push me out of my comfort zone.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

It’s such a privilege to walk with families during some of the most difficult moments of life. You can’t take away their pain, but you can find ways to bring comfort, laughter, joy and therapeutic moments to them.

Who inspires you?

My dad. He is one of the hardest-working people I know—but, more importantly, he has this natural ability to be genuine and calm even in times of stress.

What do you hope to give to patients and families? I want kids to feel successful and to empower them to ask questions while verbalizing their own emotions. I want to create a space for comfort when difficult moments happen and be an outlet for families and caregivers when those hard conversations occur.

UPCOMING EVENTS

OFF THE RECORD

December 3, 2022

Enjoy live music from Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, along with food and beverages from Phoenix’s finest restaurants.

OffTheRecordPCH.com

Events That Make Moments Possible

Recent and upcoming events supporting Phoenix Children’s patients and their families.

Give-A-Thon Week

The 2022 KTAR News 92.3 FM and 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station GiveA-Thon raised a record-breaking $2,038,532 to support patients and their families. This year marked the 22nd anniversary of Give-A-Thon, which is the country’s largest radiothon for a children’s hospital.

Heart and Hand Clinical Excellence Awards

The Heart and Hand Clinical Excellence Awards recognize physicians and advanced practice providers who go above and beyond in their pursuit of excellence. This year, five honorees were recognized for their contributions in the areas of clinical care, research, medical education and advocacy.

Miles That Matter 5K and Kids Dash

The Miles That Matter 5K and Kids Dash returned this year with more than 1,800 participants going the extra mile for sick and injured children and their families. The event—brought to you by RSM US LLP—attracted weekend joggers, devoted runners and families and raised more than $350,000.

IGNITE HOPE

December 10, 2022

Help us show hospitalized patients and their families that they are not alone during the holidays at this candelight walk.

PCHIgniteHope.org

CONCOURS IN THE HILLS

February 4, 2023

Join us for a day of great cars, food and music in the spectacular setting of Fountain Hills.

ConcoursInTheHills.org

BEACH BALL

February 25, 2023

Join us for a unique gala that trades tuxedos and ballgowns for resortwear. It’s an annual favorite you won’t want to miss!

PCHBeachBall.org

The Face of Hope.

Patients at Phoenix Children’s are more than their diagnosis. They’re the face of resilience and strength. They’re the face of someone you know, your neighbor, your child’s classmate.

Now is your chance to be the face of hope for children in need.

Join the cause and GiveToPCH.org.

Namiko, patient