HonorHealth Foundation launched the Advancing Philanthropy Physician Awards to recognize the vital role doctors play in philanthropy success.

“Many of the donors who give to HonorHealth Foundation made their gift because of a great care experience,” noted Foundation President and CEO Jared Langkilde. “Our work doesn’t happen without your work.”

This year, the Foundation created a new award to honor physicians for the many ways they support a culture of philanthropy at HonorHealth. Response to the inaugural Advancing Philanthropy Physician Awards generated nominations from a wide variety of campuses and clinical programs. Nominees were scored based on how they exemplify the four pillars of this award: philanthropy, leadership, volunteerism, and advocacy. Judges were Foundation and physicians leaders, including John Neil, MD, Kimberly Chia, MD, and Tiffany Pankow, MD.

Surprise announcements took place throughout November to celebrate the 2022 honorees at their work location:

• Mayurkumar Bhakta, MD, chief medical officer, Innovation Care Partners, and network medical director, HonorHealth Heart Group
• Todd Levine, MD, medical director, Bob Bové Neuroscience Institute at HonorHealth
• Priya Radhakrishnan, MD, vice president, chief academic officer, HonorHealth
• Michel Sucher, MD, fellowship director, HonorHealth Integrated Addiction Medicine

“Reading the nominations reminded me of the many ways HonorHealth physicians go beyond their formal clinical role to also give time and resources in different ways to benefit the community we serve,” remarked John Neil, MD, EVP, chief physician executive and network strategy officer. “I applaud the contributions our Medical Staff members have made to a broad range of local, national and international philanthropies, but think it is particularly cool when they avail themselves in a manner that benefits our local community. Giving to HonorHealth Foundation is a great way to accomplish that. When physicians support our culture of philanthropy it helps the Foundation engage donors in our work and inspires them to give generously to advance healthcare. To be clear, donations to the HonorHealth Foundation are all passed along to the community in the form of community benefits programs (e.g. Desert Mission), in the form of capital investments in our healthcare infrastructure and in many other ways.”

Each of the four honorees received a stunning sculptural award, designed and created by local artist Joe Ray, featuring a copper disk with the Advancing Philanthropy logo, secured by a natural local amethyst on a walnut base.

The physicians honored in 2022 represent a variety of areas across HonorHealth, from Deer Valley Medical Center to the Bob Bové Neuroscience Institute and from academic affairs to retired clinicians.

“Not surprisingly, there were many deserving nominees, and those who received the award are representative of the larger group of nominees,” said Heather Walton, vice president of physician relations for the Foundation, who created and managed the awards program.

All HonorHealth team members are invited to nominate physicians; self-nominations are also welcome. Watch for the 2023 nominations, which will be open next summer.

Questions? Contact HonorHealth Foundation at 480-587-5000.