The Rotary Club of Sun City West, with members in Sun City West and Sun City, welcomed Gina Ore, executive vice president and chief philanthropy officer of Sun Health at their regular July 17 meeting.

Ms. Ore’s presentation began with the following words of wisdom: “Our community is what we make of it.  And what we’ve made of it – together – is tremendous.  It is our privilege to make choices that will resonate for generations.”

Since 1960, Sun Health Foundation has been connected to the local hospitals in Sun City and Sun City West. Walter O. Boswell Memorial Hospital (opened 1970) and Del E. Webb Hospital (opened 1988) were constructed and opened as a result of community support and the Sun Health Foundation.

Ms. Ore shared the story of how the community raised funds for health care facilities as a result of a serious growing need by the expanding west side population. 

Sun Health Foundation is currently on a campaign to raise and invest $48 million in order to fund the following programs:

• $34 million - Banner Boswell Hospital Emergency Department is in the process of replacing the original ER 1970 facility. Thirty-three percent more beds will be added to meet capacity needs.
• $2 million - to ensure continuance of health services, programs and classes available for the community health and wellness programs.
• $2 million - will enhance services for women and infants of young and growing families that share the communities. 
• $2 million - Core Center for Orthopedic and Spine Health service enhancements keep loved ones active and mobile. Specialized equipment and essentials tools are needed for this fast-changing, always advancing field.
• $2 million - will support cancer fighting treatments and cancer care advancement with our partner MD Anderson Cancer Care Center. This investment will support more minimally invasive options, 3D imaging and coordination of individualized care plans.
• $6 million - planned for breakthrough technologies and emerging treatments in the areas of Cardiac initiatives, cancer fighting treatments and care advancement.

Boswell Hospital, Del Webb Hospital and The Banner Sun Health Research Institute were funded and built as a result of the generosity of community leadership and future thinking residents. The Sun Health Foundation continues to have a close affiliation with these medical centers and the research institute.