Bert W. Martin Foundation's support advances revolutionary fetal medicine program
5/1/2026
The Bert W. Martin Foundation has made an extraordinary gift to Banner – University Medical Center Tucson's Fetal Care Center, continuing a meaningful partnership that has been integral to providing comprehensive, child-centered health care to families over the past three years. This latest investment will address critical infrastructure needs that currently limit the center's ability to serve families facing the most stressful situations imaginable—when they learn there is a problem with their unborn baby.
Under the leadership of Kenneth Liechty, MD, Director of Fetal Medicine, the Fetal Care Center at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson has established itself as the Southwest's premier specialty center for serious fetal conditions. Dr. Liechty and his highly specialized, multidisciplinary team provide hope to families facing devastating diagnoses like spina bifida and twin-twin transfusion syndrome. The center's revolutionary approach allows for interventions long before delivery, enabling babies to continue developing in utero and preventing complications that could otherwise be devastating or even fatal. In 2024, Dr. Liechty performed Arizona's first in utero spina bifida surgery on a fetus at 25 weeks gestation—a delicate repair that marked a historic milestone for the state and demonstrated the life-changing potential of fetal medicine.
A model of excellence serving 75-100 families annually
Dr. Liechty's vision has created Arizona's only comprehensive fetal care center, where families can receive an accurate diagnosis in just one day—sparing them from months of appointments and uncertainty they might face elsewhere. The center conducts 75-100 diagnostic evaluations annually and performs 7-10 complex, high-stakes fetal surgeries each year, with emergency cases evaluated and treated within 24 hours. This level of specialized care, combined with Banner – University Medical Center Tucson's recognition as the region's No. 1 hospital by U.S. News & World Report, ensures that families facing the most stressful situations receive compassionate, comprehensive care resulting in positive health outcomes for the rest of their children's lives.
Currently, the center shares ultrasound equipment across three locations, and patients requiring monitoring must travel across campus, creating unnecessary stress during already difficult times. The Bert Martin Foundation's support will fund essential monitoring and diagnostic equipment, along with clinic renovations to create dedicated ultrasound rooms, meeting spaces for families during full-day evaluations, and nesting rooms where patients can rest between appointments. This investment will transform the center into a true one-stop destination for this highly specialized care.
Recently, 12News featured a Phoenix-area mother who received exceptional care at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson’s Fetal Care Center by the renowned Dr. Liechty and his team. The nearest comparable fetal care centers are in Denver and Los Angeles, putting this care out of reach for many young families. Our center makes this life-saving care available in Tucson to meet the needs of more Arizona families in need.
Read & watch the powerful 12News story here featuring Dr. Liechty’s groundbreaking work.