Children’s Health Center at Northern Arizona Healthcare Receives $270K Donation from UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona

“We feel so privileged to be the recipients of this generous donation from UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona,” said CHC Practice Manager Anthony Gobe. “We have an important obligation to the community to make sure our youth is cared for, and these contributions from UnitedHealthcare Community Plan will allow us to offer even more elevated care.”

The donation, which was secured by the NAH Office of Philanthropy, will be used for several programs at CHC.

A portion will be used to purchase an anti-gravity treadmill for the children’s gym. NASA designed the treadmill for use in space and then re-engineered it for use on Earth because of its immense benefits. The equipment:

• Can reduce a patient’s body weight to a specific percentage, lessening the impact on joints during functional activities such as walking, running, squatting and lunging.
• Can be instrumental in allowing those returning from surgery to improve their strength and endurance without causing more harm.
• Is an amazing intervention for balance and function for any individual with balance abnormalities.

Another portion of the donation is being used for a Philips EPIQ CVx Ultrasound System 1 echocardiogram system. CHC cares for a consistent number aof pediatric cardiology patients each month. This system will provide state-of-the-art cardiac imaging close to home, reducing barriers to care and ensuring that children receive the prompt and accurate diagnoses they deserve.

An echocardiogram:

• Is a non-invasive test that uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart.
• Allows physicians to assess the heart’s structure and function, including how blood flows through the chambers and valves. This information is essential for diagnosing congenital heart defects, detecting abnormalities and guiding treatment decisions for both pediatric and adult patients.

The last portion of the donation will go toward Safe Child Center. At the Safe Child Center, NAH assists children who are trauma victims by providing intervention services in a child-sensitive environment that promotes comfort, communication and healing. 

“This donation wouldn’t have been possible without the diligent efforts of our team and NAH’s Office of Philanthropy, of which we are so thankful for. CHC is important to so many members of our community and we know that there will be many pediatric patients benefiting from these new additions,” Gobe added.

“Ensuring children with special healthcare needs have access to the essential care and equipment they need enables a healthier future,” said UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona CEO Jean Kalbacher. “Supporting Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Children’s Health Center allows us to bring innovative solutions that improve pediatric health outcomes to communities across Northern Arizona.” FBN

The wheelchair-accessible CHC is located at 5130 N. Highway 89 in Flagstaff. It offers general pediatric wellness and specialty services, such as physical, speech and occupational therapy to children throughout the region.

Courtesy Photo: NAH presents UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona a plaque, thanking them for their generous donation to CHC that includes a new, anti-gravity treadmill for the children’s gym. Celebrating the donation are UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona CEO Jean Kalbacher, CHC Practice Manager Anthony Gobe, NAH Vice President of Philanthropy Maraka Oltrogge, NAH Office of Philanthropy Senior Donor Relations Specialist Kendyl Druffel, CHC Director Keith Garrison, NAH Chief Philanthropy Officer Larry Kushner and NAH CEO Dave Cheney, in the front row.