Pima Medical Institute delivers Christmas in July to Banner Children’s

9/10/26

The Banner Health Foundation is proud to celebrate the generosity of our partner, Pima Medical Institute (PMI), whose recent Christmas in July donation will help bring joy, comfort, and support to children receiving care across Banner Health.

This year marked a special milestone for PMI's giving efforts. For the first time, the organization expanded its donation campaign to benefit all three Banner Children's facilities, broadening its impact and ensuring even more young patients experience moments of comfort and happiness during their hospital stay.

PMI team members generously donated an array of items including toys, coloring books, crayons, Play-Doh, and treasure box prizes. These thoughtful gifts will help stock Banner Children’s toy closets throughout the year, providing children with welcome distractions, rewards for bravery and opportunities for play during challenging medical experiences.

"At Pima Medical Institute, community is one of our core values, and the Christmas in July toy drive was a wonderful way to put that commitment into action," says Pamela Garrison, PMI Clinical Affairs Manager. "Seeing our staff and students come together to support children receiving care at Banner Children’s facilities was both inspiring and rewarding. We are honored to partner with Banner Health for all they do for our students by helping bring joy, comfort, and hope to children and their families."

Pictured: Banner Children’s at Thunderbird Child Life Team and Pima Medical Institute Student Services Coordinator at the Phoenix PMI Campus, Michael Trueblood.

Pima Medical Institute’s donation supports the work of Child Life, a program that helps children and families navigate hospitalization through therapeutic play, education, and emotional support. Child Life services are an invaluable part of the care experience, helping young patients cope with procedures, reduce anxiety, and find moments of joy while receiving treatment.

Pictured left to right: Sue Eaton, Associate Director of Child Life at Banner Children’s at Desert, Stacy Taylor, PMI Student Services Coordinator, Pamela Garrison, PMI Clinical Affairs Manager, Robert Mejia, PMI Associate Campus Director, Mark Judy, PMI Chief Operating Officer, and Erin Clark, Child Life Specialist at Banner Children’s at Desert.

"We are incredibly grateful for our growing partnership with Pima Medical Institute," said Sue Eaton, Associate Director of Child Life at Banner Children’s at Desert Medical Center. "Their commitment to supporting children and families across our children’s facilities reflects the spirit of compassion that strengthens our communities and enhances the care experience for our youngest patients."

Thanks to partners like PMI, our toy closets remain stocked, and Child Life specialists have resources to support the children entrusted to our care year round. Every donated toy helps create smiles, ease fears and reminds families that they are surrounded by a community that cares.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Pima Medical Institute for helping make this year's Christmas in July campaign a meaningful success and for investing in the well-being of children across all Banner Health pediatric facilities.

If your company is interested in supporting Banner Children’s, please contact Teresa Hoerres here.