Honor your hero for Doctors' Day, March 30

03/01/2024

National Doctors' Day is a chance to recognize and thank physicians for their contributions to society and specifically, to our Arizona communities. From late-night emergencies to specialized surgeries for complex medical conditions to primary care for patients from all walks of life, our physicians work tirelessly to deliver health and healing to every patient in their care.

You can express your gratitude for the compassionate physicians at Banner Health. Recognize those who have made a meaningful difference for you or a loved one through the Banner Health Hero program's special Doctors' Day opportunity. With a tax-deductible donation to the Banner Health Foundation in your physician’s honor, we will present a special lapel pin to your physician hero, along with a note of thanks from you.

Young mother Betzabeth Parra learned she had a heart murmur in 2009, which led to the removal of her left heart valve. Four years later, she suffered cardiac arrest during a Zumba class. Deep down, Betzabeth felt there was a connection between these conditions and her brief battle with lymphoma five years earlier, which was treated successfully with chemotherapy and radiation.

Years later, when she became a patient of Dr. Farouk Mookadam, director of Banner – University Medicine Heart Institute’s Cardio-Oncology Clinic, he affirmed her suspicions about the correlation between her previous cancer treatment and her current cardiac problems. Created in partnership with Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Cardio-Oncology Clinic addresses the prevalence of heart disease in cancer survivors.

“He knew that I needed immediate attention; he knew exactly what I needed,” Betzabeth says. “Dr. Mookadam made everything make sense. I thought: 'I’m going to be taken care of. I’m going to be okay.'”

In 2021, Betzabeth had a heart valve replaced and underwent open heart surgery and today, she feels great.