OUR LEGACY
For more than 50 years, we’ve embraced our rich history as a long-standing, Arizona nonprofit organization that supports healthy living and superior health care in our community.
Our Mission
Sun Health champions superior health and wellbeing through philanthropy, inspired living and wellness programs.
Our Vision
Sun Health envisions a world where people live longer, healthier, more purposeful lives.
Today, we’re honored to continue our role as the philanthropic partner of Banner Boswell Medical Center, Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center and Banner Sun Health Research Institute.
Through stewarding charitable contributions from our generous donors and utilizing the skills of more than 400 volunteers, Sun Health Foundation has greatly impacted these multimillion-dollar, award-winning Banner Health medical centers which has helped increase the quality and volume of service provided to our community.
Our efforts in supporting healthy living, research and superior health care in our community doesn’t stop there. Sun Health Foundation and our philanthropic partners are also the driving force behind the services and programs provided by Sun Health Wellness.
In addition to this success, Sun Health Foundation’s philanthropic initiatives have resulted in internationally recognized research and innovative community health programs—making us one of the most influential Arizona nonprofits in health care.
Our Rich History of Philanthropy
1965
DEVCO president John Meeker called together a committee to develop plans to provide Sun City with its own healthcare facilities.
1968
DA community fund drive to build a hospital in Sun City was launched by passionate and dedicated area residents, igniting a community-wide effort and desire to give. Eagerly, these residents went door to door seeking contributions for construction of Boswell Memorial Hospital, which opened its doors in 1970 and quickly grew to 80% patient capacity within the first six months.
1970
More than 5,000 area residents flocked to the dedication of Boswell Memorial Hospital, known today as Banner Boswell Medical Center. That was nearly half of Sun City’s population at the time. It was an astounding turnout beyond anyone’s expectations. By the end of the first six months of operation, the hospital had already reached a peak of 80% patient-bed capacity.
1985
Hundreds of locals, elected officials and other dignitaries, including New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle, gathered to break ground on the then 203-bed Del E. Webb Hospital in Sun City West.
1988
Del E. Webb Memorial Hospital admitted its first patient. Later that year, the hospital introduced SAGE (Support, Adaption, Growth, Education), the first geriatric medical/psychiatric unit in Arizona. Fun Fact: New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle attended the groundbreaking.
1998
Boswell Memorial Hospital became the first Arizona hospital to perform an innovative, new heart-valve replacement surgery with a porcine tissue valve, a biologic option for cardiovascular surgeons to further tailor care for each patient.
1999
The Da Vinci surgical robot arrives to give surgeons the added benefits of technology that helps extend their capabilities. Robotic-assisted surgeries provide a minimally invasive option that results in enhanced patient recovery.
2000
Boswell Memorial Hospital’s Heart Center opened to expand space for the cardiac care program. This includes diagnostic, surgical, and medical care and rehabilitation.
2002
Oh, baby! The Louisa Kellam Center for Women’s Health opened just in time for the birth of twin boys. The Center’s arrival in the West Valley marked the beginning of a new era in women’s healthcare from maternity to menopause.
2008
Banner Health acquired Boswell and Del E. Webb hospitals and a strong philanthropic partnership with Sun Health Foundation.The community continues to ensure the availability of exceptional healthcare.
2004
Sun Health’s Center for Health and Wellbeing opened with an array of wellness programs to help us enjoy living longer.
2015
Sun Health funded the Hybrid Operating Suite at Banner Boswell Medical Center. It was a $11.8 million project that advanced minimally invasive heart valve replacement procedures.
2017
Sun Health funded the buildout of the 5th-floor space at Del Webb Medical Center for a 28-bed “Progressive Care Services Unit.” This unit provides a level of care to patients who are not in need of ICU services but need a higher level of care before they are transferred to a regular care floor.
2020
Transformed, new Emergency Department opens at Banner Boswell Medical Center.
2020
Phase 1 of the Women and Infant Services expansion opens at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center.
2022
Arrival of the innovative Ion robot-assisted bronchoscopy at Banner Boswell Medical Center, the first of its kind in our community to perform minimally invasive biopsies in hard-to-reach areas of the lung.
Meet Who You've Impacted
Dee and Dorothy Donohue
The distributions to Sun Health Foundation are just one way the Donohues support health care in their community.
Joyce Barrett
As a former volunteer and longtime donor to Sun Health Foundation, Joyce’s legacy continues to live on.
Jerry and Peggy Schuld
For the past six decades, Jerry and Peggy have been devoted to each other, their family, their faith and Sun Health Foundation.
Barbara Pigott
After Barbara’s husband Dave passed away in 2016, she felt profoundly numb. When she needed someone to turn to, she discovered a grief support group offered by Sun Health.
Sun Health Foundation
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we’ve served the local community for more than 50 years.
Make a tax-deductible donation to help ensure the future of superior healthcare for the growing population in the West Valley. Through Sun Health Foundation, 100% of each donation supports health and wellness initiatives that rely on philanthropy from the community to make medical advancements possible.
