Corporate and foundation support making life better for Arizona kids

Generous gifts from Partners in Wellness transform pediatric care across the state

12/16/2025

Thanks to generous support from our Partners in Wellness, Banner Children's renovated and expanded several pediatric Emergency Departments across Arizona in 2025, transforming what can be a scary experience into a more comfortable journey for our youngest patients and their families.

Banner Desert Medical Center: Expanding care in the growing East Valley

One of Arizona's busiest EDs recently reopened at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa with 4,100 square feet of additional space and a reconfigured patient driveway for improved access. The transformation was made possible through philanthropic support from two longstanding partners:

• Thunderbirds Charities contributed $450,000, continuing a partnership with Banner Health Foundation dating back to 2006
• SRP provided critical funding, building on a relationship with Banner Health that began in 1982

"What we have done is enhance the 'front end' process, creating two separate waiting rooms for adults and pediatric patients," said Laura Robertson, chief executive officer of Banner Desert Medical Center. "This will improve the experience, the timeliness for providing care, and allow for more patient privacy."

The remodel creates distinct spaces for children and adults:

Pediatric side:

• Two dedicated triage rooms
• 15 treatment rooms
• Four "quick look" rooms
• Six "results waiting" spaces
• Separate waiting area designed for children and families

Adult side:

• 15 fast track exam rooms
• Four triage rooms
• Five "quick look" rooms
• 20 "results waiting" spaces

Meeting critical community needs

The expansion addresses growing demand in the East Valley, where the population has surged from 900,000 residents in 2006 to more than 1.5 million today. As a Level 1 trauma center, Banner Desert's ED serves approximately 120,000 patients annually—roughly 321 patients per day, or one every five minutes—with about 30% consisting of pediatric patients up to 18 years old.

"This project reflects the spirit of our community—coming together to support families in times of need," said Juana Hernandez, SRP senior community engagement strategist. "SRP is proud to partner with the Banner Foundation on this new space, designed to offer comfort, safety, and compassionate care during life's most challenging moments."

"Most of us are fathers, so the idea of a pediatric emergency unit serving these vulnerable families definitely tugs at our heartstrings," said Matt Mooney, Big Chief of The Thunderbirds. "We are honored to participate, and we look forward to hosting the best golf tournament in the world, the WM Phoenix Open, so we can continue to support projects like this."

Diamond Children's Medical Center: A family-centered experience in Tucson

In Tucson, the newly opened Warden Family Pediatric Waiting Room at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson creates a welcoming, family-centered experience where children and families feel prioritized. Families now enter the pediatric ED through a dedicated lobby and check-in process, separate from the adult ED—minimizing their exposure to adult injuries or emergency situations that might be traumatic for young patients.

This portion of the ED expansion project was funded with a $475,000 gift from the Bert W. Martin Foundation, for which Chandler Warden serves on the board. The Diamond Foundation also contributed $250,000 toward the project, and the Observation Play Room will bear their name. The expansion project adds 22 pediatric and adult treatment rooms and creates more lobby space with 35 additional waiting chairs.

“From triage to treatment, families are cared for by our dedicated pediatric team that understands children’s unique needs," said Nathaniel Fox, MD, pediatric emergency department medical director. “As Southern Arizona’s only Level II pediatric trauma center, our teams provide expertise and subspecialties not available elsewhere in the region. We are especially grateful for the philanthropic investment from the Bert W. Martin Foundation to optimize our care approach.”

Banner Children's Community Clinics: Bringing free care to uninsured children

The Scottsdale Saguaros recently granted $250,000 to support the Banner Children's Community Clinics in Mesa and Tolleson, as well as the Banner Children's Healthmobile, which brings free primary care directly to uninsured children in underserved communities. DPR Construction and Lerner & Rowe also supported the Community Clinics this year.

"Our goal is to have the biggest impact possible, so we look for charity partners with which to do that," said Scottsdale Saguaros member Ian Sachs, who helped present the check on behalf of the organization. "Over the last year we have partnered with Banner to make this mission a reality—to have a major impact on thousands of children across the Valley who are uninsured, so they can have the health care that they need. For us, this is an incredible way to help provide that for them."

More than 3,000 uninsured children receive care at the two Banner Children's Community Clinics, and an additional 500 children are seen aboard the Healthmobile, which visits patients in San Tan Valley and Maricopa neighborhoods.

Services offered include:

• Primary care
• Behavioral health screenings
• Specialty care referrals
• Sports physicals
• Injury prevention education for families with young children

Most Banner Children's Community Clinics and Healthmobile patients come from families with low incomes, lack health insurance, have limited access to transportation, and many prefer to communicate in Spanish. As a result, the clinics often serve children who have had little to no previous primary care.

"We are incredibly gratified to receive this support from the Scottsdale Saguaros to serve vulnerable children in our community," said Andy Petersen, president and CEO for the Banner Health Foundation. "The Saguaros have been committed to helping the youth of our area for more than 35 years, and it is wonderful to be the recipient of this investment to help vulnerable kids stay well and wonderful."