Patient Stories

At Valleywise Health, we recognize and celebrate all our employees, whose diverse backgrounds and identities enrich our work environment and enhance patient care. We strive to foster a welcoming and supportive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, and we extend that support, advocacy, and respect to the community we serve. One way we do this is through our work at the McDowell Clinic, our specialized Federally Qualified Health Clinic (FQHC) offering a variety of services, including many that those within the LQBTQ+ community use.
Join us in learning more about the clinic, recognizing the progress that’s been made, and acknowledging the continued work that still lies ahead

As Arizona’s only nationally verified burn center, thousands of patients each year trust us to provide the specialized, outstanding care they need to begin their recovery. This video explores the trauma that severe burns can cause, both physically and mentally, as well as the road to recovery and the impactful, holistic care that the nationally-recognized Arizona Burn Center provides to our patients at Valleywise Health. Hear from patients whose lives have been upended by burns and restored by their care team, with the support of loved ones and through their own resilience.

Valleywise Health treat thousands of adult and pediatric burn patients each year. Learn more about the Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health.

A cooking accident involving a grease fire left Antonio Hamilton of the Arizona Cardinals in need of the Arizona Burn Center — Valleywise Health. After his experience as a patient with Valleywise Health, Hamilton wanted to give back to our community. He returned to Valleywise not as a patient, but as a visitor for our pediatric burn patients, bringing along his teammates. Hear from him as he shares the story of his injury, his “second to none” care at Valleywise Health, and what inspired his visit with our patients.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important time each year for survivors, families, and caregivers to celebrate their breast cancer battle and survivorship, support each other, and provide hope to others going through their own battles. The Valleywise Health Breast Clinic wanted to give patients a space to gather and gain strength and hope from. This led to the inauguration of the Tree of Hope Project, in partnership with Cancer Support Community Arizona. Watch the video to see and hear from patients, who attended the inaugural event to pin their survivor ribbons to the tree, and Dr. Daniela Cocco, MD, Breast Surgical Oncologist, to find out what the Tree of Hope means to them.

Valleywise Health was the first hospital in Maricopa County to participate in the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). We are one of only three hospitals in Arizona to receive a perfect score of 100 because of our commitment to providing discrimination protections and high-quality care to LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a New York Times video producer spent several days reporting at Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix The video shows in stark terms how our ICU nurses, physicians and other staff met the COVID-19 challenge with dedication and compassion. Millions have viewed the video – and it was even nominated for an Emmy. Between 2020 and 2022, Valleywise Health caregivers treated over 20,000 patients suffering from COVID-19 in the medical center and behavioral health facilities.