A letter from our CEO
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Every year, we have the privilege of sharing with you what it means to be your health system. Not just a collection of hospitals or group of physician practices. A partner, a neighbor, a trusted resource that belongs to you.
This report is our promise made visible. It is evidence of what happens when a community invests in its own health, and when a health system takes your trust seriously.
Inside these pages, you’ll meet Jeanie Polak, a lifelong athlete who faced a stage 3 lung cancer diagnosis with the same fierce discipline she brought to decades of competitive swimming. You’ll read about Greg D’Anna, who walked into our Emergency Department in the middle of a heart attack and walked out days later with a second chance at life. These are not extraordinary exceptions. They are what our teams do, every shift, every day.
You’ll also see what we’re building together. A renovated Emergency Department with faster access to lifesaving imaging. A new cancer center bringing comprehensive, patient-centered oncology care to our region. A groundbreaking cochlear implant clinical trial, the nation’s first fully-implanted device, performed right here in Tucson. Rural programs linking Cochise County students to health care careers and prescribing fresh produce alongside medication. From Marana to Willcox and the communities in between, TMC Health shows up because access to exceptional care should not depend on your zip code.
TMC Health has been part of this community for more than 82 years. We are locally governed, nonprofit and mission driven. And we are here because you are here.
The momentum you’ll find in this report is real, and it belongs to all of us.
With deep gratitude,
Jennifer K. Mendrzycki, JD, MHA, FACHE President and CEO
TMC Health
TMC Emergency Department receives critical improvements
When seconds matter most, the completed Phase Two of Tucson Medical Center’s Emergency Department renovation is saving time—and lives—by transforming how emergency care is delivered.
Wider hallways for patient transport, better lighting throughout and sightlines into every patient room have improved care. Dedicated behavioral health rooms, designed for patient and staff safety, allow patients in crisis to receive care in a safer and more specialized setting. The new major medical rooms bring the total to five and provide optimum space to treat and stabilize severely injured or critically ill patients.
Fundraising continues as Phase Three is underway. The TMC Emergency Department Capital Campaign is led by the TMC Health Foundation. Naming opportunities are available. This is a great way to honor your family or business while helping us enhance lifesaving care for our community. Contact Deb Dale, CFRE for more information, deb.dale@tmcaz.com or (520) 324-2501
See page 23 to read about a generous gift to the Emergency Department from Thomas R. Brown Foundations.
Learn more about the ED renovation
TMC Health partners with community providers to expand cancer care services
TMC Health Cancer Center
40+ Providers 10 Locations 6 Specialties
TMC Health and the physicians of Tucson Oncology joined forces to create the TMC Health Cancer Center, providing comprehensive cancer care across Southern Arizona. The partnership launched simultaneous ribbon cuttings at all its locations on April 1, 2025 to commemorate the grand opening.
“This initiative represents a major step forward in delivering highquality, patient-centered cancer care to our community,” said Jennifer Mendrzycki, President and CEO, TMC Health. “By integrating resources, expertise and innovative treatments, we are ensuring that patients across Southern Arizona—from Willcox to Marana and beyond—receive the best possible care, with a seamless experience from diagnosis to recovery.” Radiation Oncology will join TMC Health in 2026, providing more comprehensive cancer care.
Learn more about TMC Health Cancer Center
Training for this moment:
Jeanie’s cancer
story
A lifelong athlete who always prioritized her health, Jeanie Polak never imagined cancer would be part of her story. But in 2025, she was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer.
“It was the last thing I ever thought I’d be diagnosed with,” Polak said. “I was in shape and I ate healthy. There’s nothing more I could’ve done to be healthy.”
Four years before the diagnosis, doctors discovered nodules, abnormal tissue masses, in Polak’s lungs. Because she was symptom free, they were monitored over time. But in 2025, a persistent cough signaled something more serious.
“They tell me I have cancer—and lung cancer of all things? That doesn’t even make sense,” Polak said. “I’ve been a competitive swimmer since I was 10.”
At 63 years old, Polak dove into treatment with the same discipline she brought to her training as an athlete. She underwent 35 rounds of radiation and four rounds of chemotherapy simultaneously, often sporting boots with the words “F--- Cancer” written on the soles.
“The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Jeanie is just how strong and resilient she is,” said Dr. Sreekanth Vasireddy, oncologist at TMC Health Cancer Center. “She told me very clearly, ‘I’m going to do everything it takes to fight this disease.’”
Polak remained engaged and motivated throughout her treatment. She kept to her daily routine. She got dressed, put makeup on and stayed physically active. “I never ever stopped,” she said. “It wasn’t what I’d usually do, but by golly if I could only walk one mile—then I was walking one mile.”
She has completed her chemotherapy and radiation, and is starting immunotherapy.
“I imagine I was training for this moment my entire life,” she said. “I’m going to fight it every step of the way and I’ll never stop.”
Hear Jeanie tell her story
Tucson patients receive first fully-implanted cochlear implants at TMC
As part of a groundbreaking clinical trial, two patients successfully received the Acclaim, the nation’s first fully-implanted cochlear implants that function without any external hardware.
Developed by Envoy Medical, the implant is undergoing trials across the nation. However, the inaugural procedure took place at Tucson Medical Center, under the guidance of Dr. Abraham Jacob and Dr. Mary Rose Goldstein from the Center for Neurosciences.
Unlike traditional cochlear implants that rely on external hardware, the Acclaim is completely internal, utilizing the ear’s natural anatomy to capture sound. This breakthrough aims to eliminate the stigma and limitations associated with visible hearing devices, offering 24/7 hearing without the need to remove or adjust external components. Dr. Jacob also emphasizes the broader health implications, noting that untreated hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia.
Strengthening community care through the 340B program
At TMC Health, the 340B Drug Pricing Program fulfills its intended purpose: stretching limited federal resources to expand services and broaden access to care, especially in underserved communities. TMC Health reinvests these savings to support vulnerable populations in Southern Arizona, including uninsured and underinsured patients and others who face barriers to care.
How 340B savings benefit our community:
Care for uninsured patients: Helps cover the cost of care for patients who are uninsured or have limited financial resources.
Medication access: Helps patients afford essential prescriptions, reducing barriers to treatment and improving adherence to care plans. Dedicated pharmacists also provide medication management consultations to support these efforts.
Essential services: These savings support programs that are vital to community health, such as Tucson Collaborative Community Care (TC-3), a collaboration between TMC and Tucson Fire Department that connects vulnerable individuals with needed resources to reduce their reliance on the 911 system. 340B savings also supported the recent Emergency Department expansion and the acquisition and development of the TMC Health Cancer Center.
Rural access: Expands pharmacy services and improves access to care in communities with limited health care infrastructure.
When an uninsured or underinsured patient is discharged with a chronic condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or COPD, medication costs can disrupt an otherwise successful treatment plan. 340B savings help lower what patients have to pay, making it easier for them to follow their care plans, avoid unnecessary trips back to the hospital, and feel more satisfied with their care.
These investments are especially important in Southern Arizona, where distance, workforce shortages and economic hardships already limit access to care. For TMC Health’s rural hospitals—Benson Hospital and Northern Cochise Community Hospital— the 340B Program provides resources that small critical access hospitals often cannot generate on their own, helping ensure continuity of services.
‘They
saved my life’
It was a normal night for Greg D’Anna: dinner out followed by relaxing at home with his wife. Even the indigestion he felt seemed normal until he started getting chest pains and a stabbing pain down his left arm.
“It was the most intense pain I have ever felt,” he said. “I woke up my wife and said, I’ve got to go to the hospital.”
D’Anna’s wife drove him straight to the Tucson Medical Center Emergency Department. It was a cold January night, but by the time they arrived at the hospital, D’Anna was sweating profusely.
“I’m having a heart attack,” D’Anna said to the security guard at the ED entrance. They took one look at him and immediately got him into triage. In a matter of minutes, TMC staff were connecting him to an EKG and taking his vitals when he heard a nurse say, “We need to get him on the table, he’s gray.”
Within an hour of walking through the ED doors, D’Anna was in the Cath Lab to have a stent placed in his heart. His right coronary artery was 100% blocked, causing the heart attack.
“Pretty soon, the cardiologist said, ‘Do you feel better?’ and I said, ‘I do.’ The stent had been placed,” he said. “I was amazed because it was midnight, and they had less than an hour to get the Cath Lab ready. This whole system was set up and in place. They all worked together as a team, and they saved my life.”
Hear Greg D’Anna tell his story
A comprehensive approach to treating complex problems
While getting ready for work one morning, Chandler Hussey chatted with her adult son on the phone. It was a typical day, until she woke up surrounded by paramedics and her son.
“I guess I went unconscious on the phone,” she recalled. “I woke up feeling like nothing happened and didn’t understand why they were at my house.”
A visit to Tucson Medical Center Emergency Department revealed that she had a meningioma, a noncancerous tumor that arises from the membranes surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. The tumor caused a seizure, some vision loss and a mild heart attack.
“The MRI showed a 5-centimeter skull-based tumor,” said Dr. Arunit (Jessey) Chugh, neurosurgeon. “It was pushing on the carotid artery and an optic nerve, causing vision loss. Because these types of tumors are slow growing, we often don’t find them until they are causing pressure on the brain or nerves.”
In this complex case, surgeons took a multidisciplinary approach, complementing the surgery with embolization to reduce blood supply to the tumor.
Dr. Chugh is a dual-trained vascular neurosurgeon who can do skullbased surgery as well as embolization, so he was able to perform both procedures on Hussey.
“It’s nice to be able to tackle complex issues in multiple different ways,” Dr. Chugh said. “Embolization makes surgery easier, so having knowledge about the blood vessel part and the tumor part and putting those two fields together allows for a nice comprehensive approach to treating complex problems.”
After going through this event, Hussey now realizes that symptoms she’d had for years, such as headaches and declining vision, were likely from the tumor. She is grateful for the care she received from Dr. Chugh and the TMC team.
“Dr. Chugh couldn’t have been more amazing,” she said. “He has been the one through all of this to keep me calm and make me as comfortable as I could be. He has a great bedside personality.”
Dr. Arunit (Jessey) Chugh
Chandler Hussey
TMCOne additions create seamless, supportive experience for patients
Urology
With TMCOne’s new urology practice, patients can move smoothly from hospital care to ongoing specialty support without missing a beat.
The new urology office works alongside Tucson Medical Center, which recently added three urology hospitalists, physicians who see patients while in the hospital. Adding an office practice creates a seamless transition of care for TMC and TMC Rincon patients, and gives new patients access to specialized urology services.
“They are all part of a tightly intertwined team that work together,” said Michelle Ruiz, Chief Executive Officer, TMCOne. “Having this new practice fills a critical health care need for our community and ensures continuity of care for our patients.”
Pediatric surgery and urology
Arizona Pediatric Surgery and Urology is now part of TMCOne.
APSU has been a trusted TMC Health partner for years, providing exceptional care to pediatric patients and their families.
“With more than three decades of service to Southern Arizona, APSU’s pediatric specialists, now employed at TMCOne, deliver surgical coverage and the only board-certified pediatric urology care in the region,” said Donna Cosentino, Director of Operations, TMCOne and TMC Medical Network.
Patients will still receive the same great care they always have from APSU, but with the added benefit of being part of a health system. This integration will bring more streamlined scheduling, billing and follow-up processes—creating a more seamless, supportive experience for patients and families.
Specialties
Learn more about TMCOne Adult
• Aesthetics
• Cancer rehabilitation
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• General surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Obstetrics/Gynecology
• Orthopaedics
• Pulmonology
• Rheumatology
• Urology Pediatric
• Adolescent medicine
• Developmental-behavioral
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Pulmonology
• Surgery
• Urology
2025 Recognitions for Excellence
Best Birthing Center: TMC for Women
Best Pain Management Center: TMC Integrative Pain Center
Best Urgent Care: TMC Urgent Care
2025 Best of Benson
Medical Provider: Benson Hospital
Best Place to Work: Benson Hospital
Physical & Occupational Therapy: Benson Hospital Rehabilitation
Healthcare Provider: TMC Health
Oncologist: TMC Health Cancer Center
Hospice Care: TMC Hospice
Infusion Therapy: TMC Infusion Center
Pharmacy: TMC Pharmacy
Birthing Center: TMC Rincon
Locally Owned Primary Care: TMCOne
Pediatric Emergency Room: TMC for Children
Women’s Center: TMC for Women
TMC Rincon grows with its community
As Vail and southeast Tucson grow, so do the health care needs of the communities that call these areas home. TMC Rincon is located at the heart of this growth and is committed to supporting the region as it expands and transforms.
In its second year, TMC Rincon saw substantial progress. It increased services and recruited top-notch physicians, nurses and specialists to meet the needs of the community.
2025 Accomplishments
• Successful launch of the birthing center
• Provided infusion support for Rincon and Green Valley TMC Health Cancer Centers
• Cardiologists joined the team, helping TMC Rincon expand into cardiac care
• Increased inpatient bed capacity to care for patients needing orthopaedic, surgical and medical care
2025 Rincon by the numbers
• 14,675 Unique patients seen
• 259 Babies delivered
• 17,208 Emergency Department visits
• 1,972 Total surgeries performed (inpatient and outpatient)
• 168 Cath Lab cases
We at Rincon are excited about the growth and momentum we have experienced so far. I am looking forward to continuing this exciting journey to provide exceptional, compassionate health care for our patients.
– Shaun Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, TMC Rincon
SAHA celebrates 10 years
Collaboration. Innovation. Trust. Connection.
These are words hospital leaders use to describe Southern Arizona Health Alliance (SAHA), a collaboration of nonprofit community hospitals and medical centers aimed at improving the health and well-being of the region.
The alliance, led by TMC Health, started in 2015 with Benson Hospital, Northern Cochise Community Hospital, Mount Graham Regional Medical Center and Copper Queen Community Hospital. Since its inception, the group has grown to also include Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Mariposa Community Health Center and Canyonlands Healthcare.
“The goal is to provide tools, resources and support by the TMC Health network so all partners can align protocols, learn from each other, and enhance care in rural areas,” said Andy Shanks, Director of SAHA. “They know they have a huge network of peers they can call and ask for advice. It’s been phenomenal.”
$1 million 6 million pounds of laundry per year
saved through pooled purchasing power and shared services
60% less cost for rural laundry services
7
peer groups that share ideas, discuss problems and align protocols to ensure seamless care
SAHA members
TMC for Seniors brings fun, laughter and education to participants
TMC for Seniors is a hub for aging adults to socialize, learn, exercise and have fun. This year saw an increase in the quantity and type of classes, giving participants more opportunities to stay active and engaged. Expanded offerings include laughter yoga, intergenerational programming, a women’s wisdom circle and a cancer support group.
2025 by the numbers
478 Total programs
6,212 In-person attendees
6,518 YouTube views
19,115 Facebook Live views
31,845 Total interactions
Turning struggle into strength
TMC Health became the first health care system in the nation to offer Struggle Well training to staff. Classes are interactive, small group experiences that enable participants to transform their struggles into strength through practices rooted in the science of posttraumatic growth.
Developed by Boulder Crest Foundation, Struggle Well has traditionally served veterans, active-duty military personnel and first responders. Understanding the personal and professional challenges faced by health care workers, TMC Health decided to extend the program to employees, offering them the same opportunities for healing, growth and renewed strength.
2025 by the numbers
12 Total classes 167 Total number of participants 3
The Struggle Well experience is going to help TMC Health normalize that it is ok to not be ok, while offering practical ways to move through struggles.
– Mary Mellady, Director of Wellness, TMC Health
Total Struggle Well guides (Trained with Boulder Crest Foundation)
Building healthy communities
When TMC Health shows up at community events, it’s more than a logo. It’s supporting healthier, more connected lives across Southern Arizona. Turning prevention and healthy habits into everyday opportunities. And showing up where people are—before care is needed.
As Southern Arizona’s premier locally-governed health system, TMC Health proudly sponsored more than 70 community events in 2025, including Tucson Festival of Books, El Tour de Tucson, Run Tucson races and the Cologuard Classic.
Community building through art
This year, teaching artist Carolyn King led TMC for Seniors in two mural projects, adding beauty to two community organizations: St. Luke’s Home and Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona.
In collaboration with the TMC Health Foundation Healing Arts Program, King led Tucson Medical Center employees in creating a mosaic piece for a courtyard table located on the TMC campus for patients, visitors and staff to enjoy.
“Creating beauty and meaning together, in community, is a special kind of magic,” King said. “These projects wove together the focus, skills and goodwill of so many people. We need more ways to come together these days.”
TMC Health program provides career training for rural high school students
An innovative partnership between TMC Health and the Cochise Technology District is creating a clear pathway to health care careers for rural high school students.
Through the district’s Patient Care Technician program, seniors train using Tucson Medical Center’s curriculum, complete clinical hours at TMC Health facilities and have opportunities for employment after graduation at sites including Benson Hospital, Northern Cochise Community Hospital and TMC. Two cohorts have completed the program, with a third now underway.
Recently, Northern Cochise Community Hospital hosted 20 students—19 from Benson and one from Willcox—for a hands-on training day.
“This is the first year we’ve collaborated with NCCH for a dedicated PCT skills day,” said Lila Tenniswood, PCT instructor and Emergency Department nurse. She noted NCCH’s ongoing support, including field trips, student participation in HERT trainings and twice-yearly studentled blood drives.
The program aims to prepare students for immediate employment or future health care careers—and it’s already making an impact, with six graduates now working at NCCH and one at Benson Hospital.
Rx: Eat your fruits and veggies
A new program in Cochise County is putting the idea of “food as medicine” into action by prescribing fresh produce to qualifying patients.
The Cochise Produce Rx program, a partnership between The Local Co-op and Benson Hospital, provides patients with diet-related conditions—such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes—with weekly bags of locally grown produce, nutritional education and health monitoring.
Patients—25 from two clinics—receive a $20 weekly card to purchase produce, while Benson Hospital tracks metrics like BMI, blood pressure and A1C in collaboration with the University of Arizona to measure impact.
“Food is medicine,” said Cindy Tapia, a nurse practitioner at Benson Hospital. “When we give patients fresh, local produce and the knowledge to use it, we’re helping them heal.”
Beyond improving individual health, the program also supports local farmers and expands access to fresh food.
By
the Numbers
Average reduction in A1C (blood sugar levels) Participants who experienced health improvements
mmHg
Average reduction in blood pressure
Projected reduction in major cardiovascular events, like heart attacks and strokes
Estimated health care costs avoided, depending on program scale
Benson Hospital and NCCH named Age-Friendly Health Systems
Benson Hospital and Northern Cochise Community Hospital have been recognized as Age-Friendly Health Systems by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, demonstrating their commitment to implementing what’s known as the 4 Ms of caring for older adults: What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility.
Achieving recognition as Age-Friendly Health Systems reflects our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care tailored to the needs of our older adult population. The designation underscores our dedication to ensuring that every individual in our community receives compassionate, personalized care that honors their life experiences and health goals.
– Gary Kartchner, CEO of Benson Hospital and NCCH
Benson Hospital stands out with swing bed certification
Benson Hospital’s swing bed program has officially been certified by The Compliance Team*—distinguishing it as one of only two certified programs in the state of Arizona, and a beacon of excellence in rural health care.
A swing bed is a service that allows patients to remain in a rural hospital after their main treatment, so they can continue healing and receive rehab care without needing to transfer somewhere else. Often, patients in need of this type of care would go to a facility in a larger city away from family and friends. Hospitals with swing bed programs make sure patients receive the care they need in their community.
* The Compliance Team is a nationally recognized health care accreditation organization. Their proprietary accreditation status is known as Exemplary Provider Accreditation.
This certification as an Exemplary Provider validates what we already know, that we go above and beyond for our swing bed patients. We provide excellent service for our patients and our community by being a rural hospital caring for the whole patient from illness to inpatient rehabilitation.
– Lori Fortner, case manager at Benson Hospital
Looking ahead to the 2026 report
• Healthy hearts make for healthy communities! For the first time ever, TMC Health partnered with Banner University Medical Center to co-sponsor the 2026 American Heart Association Heart Walk.
• Radiation Oncology centers formerly operated by Arizona Oncology in Southern Arizona join TMC Health, bringing exceptional expertise, advanced technology and a team dedicated to delivering the highest standards of care and commitment to our community.
• TMC Health is expanding cardiology services to meet the growing need for expert heart care. This investment means more options, more convenience and a stronger path to better heart health for our community.
• With a commitment to creating a soothing and healing environment, the TMC Health Healing Arts Program installs its 2,400th piece of artwork. The program has installed pieces across four hospitals, six cancer centers and 21 clinics for patients, families and visitors to enjoy.
Stay up to date on TMC Health happenings
Dear Friends and Supporters,
There is a word that comes to mind when I think about what makes TMC Health exceptional: community. Not the word itself, but its meaning made real, every day, through the spirit of generosity of our community.
In my first year as Chief Development Officer of the TMC Health Foundation, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how donor support transforms our ability to deliver on our mission of exceptional, compassionate care. The donations entrusted to the Foundation allow us to invest in the programs, people and technology that keep our patients and their loved ones—you, your families, neighbors and friends—at the center of everything we do.
So much of that support comes from everyday donors and grateful patients who know TMC Health from the inside. They came to us in a moment of need, received care that made a difference, and chose to give something back so that others could experience the same. That circle of generosity is at the very heart of what the Foundation does.
To the many who have joined the Shropshire Circles as leadership-level partners, thank you for trusting us with your support and for the deep commitment you bring to the future of local, community health care in Southern Arizona. And to those who have chosen to include TMC Health in their estate plans through the Anna Erickson Planned Giving Society, your generosity will serve patients and families here for generations to come. We are equally grateful to the community organizations and corporate partners that stand alongside us, extending the reach and impact of every dollar given.
I also want to recognize the volunteers who give their time so freely, and the remarkable staff across TMC Health and the Foundation whose dedication and heart make this work possible every single day. None of this happens without you.
The progress you’ll read about in these pages belongs to all of you, whatever form your generosity takes. As a Tucson native, I thought I knew this community well. The depth of generosity I have witnessed this past year has humbled me and only deepened my pride in calling this city home.
With gratitude,
Deb Dale, CFRE Vice President and Chief Development Officer TMC Health Foundation
Learn more about supporting the TMC Health Foundation
Transformational gift brings lifesaving CT technology directly to the TMC Emergency Department
A generous $2.15 million gift from the Thomas R. Brown Foundations has made it possible to install a state-of-the-art CT scanner directly in the TMC Emergency Department, dramatically improving care for patients when every second counts.
“The Brown family is committed to TMC, our community hospital. It is especially fulfilling to contribute a critical piece of specialized equipment to the Emergency Department’s expansion and renovation,” said Sarah Smallhouse, President of Thomas R. Brown Foundations. “Our foundations are the legacy of Burr-Brown Corporation, a Tucsongrown technology company, so this seems especially fitting. Burr-Brown employees—the people who made the company success possible— counted on TMC for their health care needs. It is gratifying to give back to TMC in a way that makes the hospital more efficient and improves the patient care of today.”
Having a dedicated CT scanner in the ED significantly reduces wait times and speeds diagnosis, allowing care teams to act faster in life-threatening situations such as stroke, trauma and other medical emergencies.
“With the new CT scanner installed in the ED, we are seeing much quicker turnaround times for head CT scans, which allows for faster, lifesaving interventions for patients in our community experiencing a stroke,” said Nichole Pelan, Manager of the TMC Emergency Department. “The scanner also enables us to move patients through the Emergency Department more efficiently, reducing overall length of stay and improving the care experience.”
TMC Mega Raffle surpasses $20 million
The 2025 TMC Mega Raffle raised a record amount of $2.5 million, bringing the all-time total to more than $20 million raised to directly benefit TMC Health.
Your participation in the TMC Mega Raffle through the years has had a major impact on patients by enabling TMC Health to purchase:
• A lifelike training simulator to train Labor and Delivery staff to address birthing complications and challenges
• Da Vinci Surgical System, allowing physicians to perform minimallyinvasive surgeries
• Intensive Care Unit remodel
• Remote cardiac rehabilitation services at Benson Hospital
• New CT equipment and X-ray machine
• Ultrasound equipment for rural offices of TMCObstetrics
• New beds at TMC Hospice Peppi’s House
• Echocardiogram equipment to diagnose abnormalities of the heart
• And much more!
Costco raised over $202,000 for TMC for Children
Every May, something extraordinary takes place inside Costco warehouses across Tucson. Beneath the familiar high ceilings and bustling aisles, jumbo CMN Miracle Balloons appear—floating symbols of hope, generosity and community support for local kids.
Throughout the month, Costco members shopping at Tucson’s three warehouse locations are invited at checkout to donate to their local nonprofit children’s hospital, TMC for Children. Many contribute a few dollars, while others choose the $500 jumbo Miracle Balloon—a bold, visible symbol of generosity proudly displayed from the warehouse ceiling.
In 2025, Costco’s Tucson locations raised an incredible $202,476.40 for TMC for Children. Those dollars stayed local, helping fund critical pediatric programs, equipment, and compassionate care for children and families across Southern Arizona.
“I am incredibly proud to work for a company like Costco, a company who consistently demonstrates its commitment to community and compassion,” said Monica Adams, membership and marketing manager, Costco Warehouse #407 (Grant Road). “Costco continues to stand behind and support the health of more than 12 million children each year, and that is something I am honored to be part of. This is not simply a program Costco participates in; it is a mission I personally value and deeply believe in.”
We are immensely grateful to Costco, its dedicated employees, and its generous members, for making miracles possible year after year. Because of this partnership, hope truly is in the air—and its impact reaches far beyond the warehouse walls.
Innovative approaches to heartfelt traditions
In 2025, Children’s Miracle Network efforts focused on deepening onsite engagement and trying new ways to engage the community while preserving the heartfelt traditions that make these initiatives so impactful.
Radiothon
In October, TMC hosted the annual CMN Radiothon, presented by Jim Click Automotive. This year featured new activities including a fun seventies-themed celebration, food trucks and a silent disco, creating a vibrant, welcoming environment that encouraged families, team members and community partners to spend more time onsite engaging with the cause.
The event proudly continued the meaningful tradition on the radio of highlighting CMN kids and their families, sharing their powerful, heartfelt stories. Interviews with clinical staff and physicians showcased their personal “why” and reinforced why community support and fundraising efforts are so critical to the care TMC provides. These stories were shared during the onsite live broadcast on 94.9 Mix FM and 92.1 y 95.7 La Caliente, amplifying their impact and extending the event’s reach throughout the community.
Hook-N-Slice Golf Event
The annual Hook-N-Slice golf event took on a fresh and engaging format as the event was hosted this year at Topgolf, creating an inclusive and high-energy experience for participants of all skill levels. The new venue modernized the event while maintaining its core purpose of bringing the community together in support of the mission of supporting children’s health.
TMC Health Foundation events recap
The TMC Health Foundation hosted meaningful and fun opportunities for people to engage in fundraising events throughout 2025.
TMC Health Foundation Gala
The 2025 Gala, Celestial Soiree, honored local community leaders David and Sarah Smallhouse for their philanthropic work and raised critical funds for TMC’s Emergency Department. The evening, presented by the HallHalliburton Foundation, twinkled with more than just stars. Live music, fine dining and moments of shared commitment made this gala a shining example of Tucson’s spirit of giving and dedication to advancing health care with more than $770,000 raised.
Love Lights
TMC Hospice Love Lights is a unique event at Peppi’s House, our inpatient hospice unit. Attendees came together for an evening of remembrance, participating in the lighting of an outdoor holiday tree, with lights signifying loved ones lost but not forgotten. Sponsored by Desert Toyota, nearly $30,000 was raised to support the Family Assistance Fund at TMC Hospice.
Boots & Bling
Northern Cochise Community Hospital (NCCH) held its 13th annual Boots & Bling in September. Rainy weather didn’t stop more than 200 community members from coming together for an evening of local food, a lively auction and camaraderie to benefit the rural hospital. The event raised more than $140,000 to support new hospital beds and stretchers.
Healing Harmony Concert Series
TMC Health hosted the inaugural Healing Harmony Concert Series at Tucson Medical Center’s Rich With Life Park, highlighting the meaningful connection between music and healing while raising funds for Southern Arizona’s nonprofit community health system. Rooted in TMC Health’s commitment to keeping the community healthy before, during and after times of need, the series reflected the belief that healing extends beyond hospital walls. Each Thursday evening in March, community members gathered under the stars to enjoy live music and dance paired with local cuisine in a welcoming outdoor setting. Featuring performances by flamenco, jazz, tango, and Caribbean artists, the series created memorable evenings centered on culture, connection and care.
TMC Health Foundation 2025 support funding
TMC Health Foundation revenues are generated through generous contributions from individual donors, business partners, corporate and family foundations, donor-advised funds, IRA distributions, bequests, and other estate gifts.
TMC for Children programs, equipment, supplies $3,554,805
Health medical equipment, supplies $926,096
Total $11,315,020
$1,245,724
Hospital programs, equipment, supplies $1,227,474
Pediatric Emergency Department triage/waiting room renovation
$1,185,490
*Other includes 3% or less to fund the following: Rich With Life Park, cardiac programs, hospice programs, Healing Art Program, Employee Assistance Program and women’s health programs.
TMC Health Community Benefit Report 2025
355,377
24,246
13,034
Wyatt Drive #240
Ferguson Ave. #100
Ferguson Ave. #104
Erickson Drive #100
Wilmot Road #B250
Wilmot Road: Bldg. #4, #1 Unit 4
Wilmot Road
Knight Drive
Beverly Ave.
Hampton Street
NORTH/NORTHWEST
Oracle Road #100
Skyline Drive #230
N. La Cañada Drive #110
alley
La Cholla Blvd. #150
SOUTHEAST
Harrison Road
Rita Road: #100, #140 & #180
Drexel Road: #110, #220 & #260
Speedway Blvd. #104