Night of Heroes
More than 300 guests attended Maricopa Health Foundation’s third Night of Heroes. The April 25 event at Phoenix Art Museum celebrated heroic patient stories and recognized the Maricopa Integrated Health System (soon to be Valleywise Health) doctors, nurses, employees and community first responders who are behind-the-scenes heroes each day.
Derek Boehm, RN, a military veteran, former firefighter, paramedic and flight paramedic was this year’s honoree. His life was changed forever in a fatal helicopter crash during a routine flight in the Superstition Mountains. The sole survivor, Boehm spent hours alone in the cold with life-threatening injuries, hoping to be found. Following a long recovery, Derek completed his training to become a registered nurse, and now works alongside the same doctors and nurses who saved his life.
The event highlighted MIHS’s role as Arizona’s only public teaching hospital and shared how the safety net health system is addressing Arizona’s health provider shortage. Karie Dozer emceed the event. Funds raised will go toward advanced technology and training resources at MIHS.
PHOTOS BY PHIL GUDENSCHWAGER, GUDENSCHWAGER PHOTOGRAPHY