President's Message

From Alison Lewis

Alison Lewis, BOARD CHAIR

Dear WISH Members,

I had the opportunity to spend time at the Banner Health Foundation’s Evening of Gratitude on March 27, an annual event that honors and thanks Foundation donors who make gifts year in and year out. Nearly 200 guests turned out to mix and mingle, including a handful of us WISH members. It was a lovely evening, with that perfect seasonal weather we so enjoy in Arizona. And, while on stage for the short program, President & CEO of Banner Health Foundation and Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation Andy Petersen recognized WISH for our contributions to Banner Health and our impact on our community.

WISH is gaining visibility throughout Banner Health through our exceptional programming, our collective gifts to worthy health care programs during our annual allocation event, and because of our strength in numbers and reach.

Attendees were also treated to a major announcement by the Foundation that I am now eager to share will all of you. In a significant development, the Foundation is embarking on Banner’s first-ever comprehensive campaign to raise $250 million to advance world-class health care for all. WISH is an important facet of this endeavor.

So, this is both an auspicious and exciting time for WISH to continue our forward progress, growth and contributions as an organization. I am motivated even more to build our membership and increase our offerings to members, while joining forces with Banner Health and the Banner Health Foundation on this significant and history-making campaign that will impact generations of our own families and communities.

I encourage those of you who might have ideas for WISH activities and programs at any time throughout the year to reach out to me or other Board members. WISH is a collaborative organization with successful, diverse and talented women within our membership. Let’s use that to our full potential in 2024.

Thank you all for your continued involvement, enthusiasm and dedication to WISH.

Sincerely,
Alison Lewis

Alison is a philanthropist focused on education and the arts. She is also involved with nonprofit organizations that are innovative and serve a diverse audience with an emphasis on the underserved. Additionally, she manages two family foundations, is the Past Board Chair for Scottsdale Arts, the Vice Chair for Tonto Creek Camp, an outdoor STEM camp, Vice-Chair for the C4 Foundation which supports active Navy SEALS and their families, and a board member of the Banner Health Foundation.

Meet WISH Member, Kathleen Fraser

Kathleen Fraser’s career has showcased her commitment to empowering and educating women from the start by being one of the five founding members/employees of The Executive Club in Washington, DC. The Executive Club was the first businesswoman’s club of its kind in the U.S. to rival the exclusive male clubs of its day. Kathleen enjoyed a long career in sports marketing with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee; she ran the equestrian sports program for Mercedes Benz of North America; and, when she moved to the Valley, Kathleen became the director of marketing at KMLE Country radio, just to name a few. Kathleen then put her career on hold to raise her two lovely children, Casey and Paddy. She is currently a certified Life Coach, with an emphasis on life’s many transitions and preparing her clients' mindset for retirement.

How did you get introduced to WISH?
Alisa Timm, an existing WISH board member, invited me to the Breathe, Balance and Brunch retreat in 2023.

What made you join WISH?
I became hooked when I experienced the Breathe, Balance and Brunch retreat and was exposed to the doctors and providers focused on women’s health and wellness. As we age, medical issues such as self-care, Alzheimer’s and leading-edge research are of great interest. When you put women and health together, that is a winning combination.

What are you looking to gain from your WISH membership?
First and foremost, to support Banner Health’s fundraising efforts so they can continue their extensive research and efforts to serve our Arizona community. Secondly, to gain insight and knowledge from Banner Health’s doctors and specialists that are on the cutting edge of medicine today.

WISH will benefit from Kathleen joining the marketing retreat planning committees.

Welcome Kathleen, we are so glad you are a part of WISH!

Banner Health names new CEO

After leading Banner for nearly 24 years, Peter S. Fine announced his plans to retire as CEO effective June 30, with President Amy Perry succeeding him.

“I recruited Amy two-and-a-half years ago knowing her as a nationally recognized leader in performance, premium-based care delivery, partnership growth and innovation,” Peter reflects. “During our time working together, I’ve appreciated her people-centered, team-based approach, and it’s gratifying to know I’m transitioning this role to such an inspiring and competent leader.” Fine became president and chief executive officer of Banner in 2000, shortly after its formation and led us from our roots as a hospital system to our identity today as a fully integrated health care enterprise.

World-renowned researcher joins Banner Research

Watch an interview with Dr. Nicholas Ashton on Arizona Horizon

World-renowned researcher Nicholas Ashton, Ph.D., will join Banner Research in May as Senior Director of the Biomarker Program. In this new leadership role, Dr. Ashton will advance biomarker research at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute, working closely with academic and industry researchers in Arizona and around the world. The goal of this work is to establish a destination center for the development and use of cerebrospinal fluid and blood-based biomarkers in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

Arizona PBS recently featured an 8-minute interview with Dr. Ashton on Arizona Horizon focused on blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease, and included discussion of the work Dr. Ashton soon will lead at Banner Research.

Watch it here

Dr. Ashton’s program will include two laboratories on the Banner Sun Health Research Institute campus in Sun City:

Biomarker Assessment Laboratory
Providing rapid, rigorous, versatile, and scalable state-of-the-art blood tests and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other fluid biomarker assays, this lab will quickly become a destination center for many of the most promising, impactful, and well-funded academic and industry researchers in the field. It will also help the field to characterize and compare the accuracy and value of emerging biomarker assays and platforms in some of the most compelling research cohorts. This dedicated lab will serve to attract, retain, develop, and support the most promising researchers and clinicians in the field and secure the support to do so.

Biomarker Discovery Laboratory
This lab will discover, optimize, and validate new biomarkers for Alzheimer’s and related disorders, place a growing emphasis on plasma biomarkers for less well-characterized pathological features of Alzheimer’s and related disorders, and lead the development of highly scalable and repeatable pinprick “plasma spot” assays. It will have a major impact on the field by leading to new patents and licensing opportunities.

After receiving his Ph.D. in Medicine and Old Age Psychiatry from King’s College London, Dr. Ashton joined the laboratory at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, where he’s made major contributions to the development and use of biofluid assays for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. He is the author of more than 200 original research articles in the last 10 years and he’s widely recognized for his leadership skills, working relationships and scientific contributions to the field.

Dr. Eric Reiman, CEO for Banner Research, is thrilled to work with Dr. Ashton, capitalize on our complementary research and clinical strengths and fulfill the promise of blood-based biomarkers.

Pulse of the City Soiree | FALL 2024

The 9th Annual Pulse of the City Soiree is set for Fall of 2024, at the Omni Scottsdale Resort and Montelucia. Proceeds will benefit pediatric cancer care and research at Banner Children’s medical centers in Arizona. This year’s theme, “The Heart of the Garden,” will celebrate Banner Children’s dedication to helping children battling cancer – often the most fragile seeds in the garden of life – to grow up healthy and strong. Contact Kelly Cabral, special events director, to secure your table, sponsorship, or underwriting package today.

Banner Sports Medicine featured on Health Futures podcast

Discover how Banner Health is elevating sports medicine care in Arizona through its flagship Banner Sports Medicine facility, featuring Evan Lederman, MD, Chief of Banner’s Sports Medicine program, in this episode of the Health Futures with Host Bob Roth Podcast.

Click to listen

Learn more about Concierge Medicine at Banner Executive Health & Wellness

Banner Health has introduced a new Concierge Medicine program, offering a distinctive health care experience for members. Based at the beautiful Banner Health Center plus in the Arcadia neighborhood, Concierge Medicine enrollment is limited to ensure patients can build and maintain a relationship with their primary care physician and know they’re available when needed.

Concierge Medicine membership includes:

• 24/7 direct communication to an Executive Health & Wellness physician and care team
• Coordination of referrals and appointments with medical specialists
• Dedicated Executive Health and Wellness telephone number for members
• SENS Solution® Wellness Program, which includes unlimited health coaching
• Members-only waiting room and exam rooms
• Primary care physicians serving only Banner Executive Health & Wellness members
• Same-day and next-day appointments for primary care visits
• Telehealth visit option
• Unlimited health coaching

Concierge Medicine at Banner Executive Health & Wellness is open to individuals and families. Family members in the same household can be added to the plan at a lower cost.

Click here to learn more about the program and meet our Concierge Medicine physicians. To become a member, please call (480) 999-2644 or fill out our contact form.