Arizona Historymakers selections include Sharon, Oliver Harper
Special to Independent Newsmedia
Posted 4/4/25
Sharon Harper and Dr. Oliver Harper were honored as two of the Historical League’s Inc., chosen Arizona Historymakers of 2025 at the Arizona Heritage Center’s announcing celebration in Tempe.
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Arizona Historymakers selections include Sharon, Oliver Harper
(Photo provided by Historical League, Inc.)
Posted
BIO
Oliver and Sharon met at Creighton University – he in medical school and she in journalism. They moved to Phoenix in 1970 to begin their family and careers. Oliver co-founded the Arizona Medical Clinic, a multi-specialty clinic that grew to 100-plus providers and became part of Banner Health. He served on faculty at U of A College of Medicine Phoenix. The Harpers have volunteered at bush hospitals in Kenya and Oliver has served in the Dominican Republic and locally at St. Vincent de Paul and Mission of Mercy Clinics. Leadership includes Chairman Emeritus of The Phoenix Symphony, Phoenix Art Museum board, and St. Vincent de Paul Advisory Council.
Sharon co-founded and serves as chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies, specializing in healthcare/bioscience, senior housing, hospitality and transformational redevelopment projects such as SkySong, Park Central, Creighton University Health Sciences Campus, Phoenix. She serves as Trustee to the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, ASU, Creighton University, TGen and McCain Institute and chaired Prop 123 and Phoenix GOBOND Initiatives (collectively $5.5B impact to the community).
Both have received numerous awards: Sharon, the Athena, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Luke Air Force Base Honorary Commander awards; and Oliver, the Healthcare Hero and Alumni Merit Award from Creighton University School of Medicine.
Sharon Harper and Dr. Oliver Harper were recognized with seven other Arizonans as Prestigious Arizona Historymakers on Feb 19.
Sharon Harper and Dr. Oliver Harper were honored as two of the Historical League’s Inc., chosen Arizona Historymakers of 2025 at the Arizona Heritage Center’s announcing celebration in Tempe.
More than 100 guests were introduced to the new Historymakers’ accomplishments, and contributions in the world of agriculture, medicine and community outreach.
In presenting, Diane Smith, Historical League’s committee co-chairman, highlighted them as impactful leaders in the Phoenix area through Sharon’s Plaza Companies and Oliver’s continuing involvement in the medical community. Oliver co-founded the Arizona Medical Clinic, a multi-specialty clinic that grew to 100-plus providers and became part of Banner Health.
Along with the Harpers the 2025 Historymakers included Bob Boze Bell, Diana “Dede” Yazzie Devine, John W. Graham, Sister Adele O’Sullivan, CSJ, M.D., Ronald Rayner, Eric Reiman M.D., and David Wooten M.D.
Also recognized during the evening were past Arizona Historymakers Elizabeth White, Honorable Jim Bruner, Stevie Eller, Merrill Mahaffey, and Harry and Rose Papp.
The night celebrated Arizona’s statehood, and a tribute to White on her 102nd birthday.
The Arizona Historymakers’ program created in 1992 by the Historical League Inc., awards Arizona individuals, who have distinguished themselves with noted achievements and have maintained their ties to Arizona. To date more than 90 Historymakers have been honored over the years at celebration events, and inclusion in the Historymakers Hall exhibit at the Arizona Heritage Center.
Their videos, oral histories and transcripts are uploaded to the League’s website, YouTube, and preserved in the Library and Archives of Arizona Historical Society’s Heritage Center at Papago Park.
The Historymaker Committee is presenting Turquoise & Treasures, a celebration evening Oct. 25 to honor and share how the 2025 Arizona Historymakers have contributed to Arizona and the nation.
