On March 31, Mercy Care celebrated 86 community advocates and health care leaders who were recognized as nominees for the 2026 RISE (Resilience, Innovation, Service and Empowerment) Awards. The RISE Awards celebrate the people in our community who are working to make the lives of others better. RISE stands for Resilience, Innovation, Service and Empowerment. The RISE Awards honor individuals and organizations who live these values every day in the three areas of Inspiration, Innovation, and Advocacy.  

 

Inspiration, Individual

Mary Herrera

Mary inspires both coworkers and the individuals she serves through her persistence, compassion, and commitment to finding effective housing solutions for people experiencing homelessness. With deep knowledge of the systems of care and a relentless willingness to engage even the most “service‑resistant” individuals, she works tirelessly with partner organizations, clinics, and members to remove barriers and support successful transitions into permanent housing. Her dedication, patience, and practical expertise make her an invaluable resource to her team and a vital contributor to the community.

 

Inspiration, Provider

Recovery Empowerment Network

Recovery Empowerment Network has significantly strengthened the Phoenix Behavioral Health Court by offering a high‑quality day program that motivates defendants to stay engaged in treatment and remain compliant with their SMI clinic. The welcoming environment, equipped with supportive staff, a computer lab, fitness gym, and spa, provides members with a dignified, empowering space for healing and stability. REN’s intentional, compassionate approach exemplifies first‑class care and has become an invaluable resource for the mental health community.

 

Innovation, Individual

Paul Davis

Paul Davis transformed Therapeutic Foster Care in Arizona by advancing evidence based, trauma‑informed, and inclusive practices that strengthened caregiver skills and improved outcomes for individuals with complex behavioral health needs. Through his leadership, Devereux Arizona implemented the TFTC model, earned the All Children – All Families Seal of Recognition, and expanded TFC into a sustainable, statewide service that now provides the majority of Arizona’s TFC programs. His decades of vision and advocacy created scalable systems that enhanced access, equity, and stability for youth and adults in community‑based care.

 

Innovation, Provider

Dr. Henry Martinez and Big Apple Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Martinez brings innovation, expertise, and deep compassion to his care of children with special needs, ensuring that even those with complex conditions receive high‑quality, individualized dental treatment. Beyond his work with individual families, he consistently gives back to the broader community through service events and advocacy efforts that support children with developmental and social challenges. His dedication makes a meaningful difference in the lives of countless families and reflects a level of commitment that is truly a blessing to the community he serves.

 

Advocacy, Individual

Mary Jane Watman

The employee championed maintaining Community 43 as a Clubhouse‑model program, ensuring services remained aligned with member needs and voices. They consistently promoted reforms that strengthened mental health advocacy and upheld a member‑centered approach. Through thoughtful leadership in key discussions, they helped guide decisions that protect services supporting recovery, independence, and community inclusion.

 

Advocacy, Provider

Dr. Paul Lynch and US Pain Care

Dr. Lynch has dedicated his career to caring for patients with chronic pain, mental illness, and substance use disorder, developing integrated, evidence‑based programs to treat these conditions together. His Treat ’Em When You Meet ’Em campaign promotes buprenorphine micro‑induction to reduce barriers to opioid use disorder treatment and ensure patients receive care at the point of contact. Through education, advocacy, and a multidisciplinary clinical model, he aims to reduce stigma, expand provider readiness, and improve outcomes for this high‑risk population.

Congratulations to Christie MacMurray, Adult Systems of Care administrator, who was named the 14th recipient of the ReMEMBER Kate Aurelius Award on June 5, 2025. 
 
The award which was named after Kate Aurelius former Mercy Care employee and later deputy director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), annually recognizes a Mercy Care colleague for their outstanding contributions to our members. These colleagues consistently demonstrate commitment to excellence in all aspects of their work, embodying the spirit of Kate’s favorite question, “What have you done for the member today?”

“Christie is somebody who leads with passion and commitment,” said Blythe FitzHarris, Mercy Care Chief Clinical Officer. “She's always thinking of the person at the end of that service.”

“Having your name on that plaque means you are doing something for people – you are changing the lives of people,” said Jessica Clemens Quick, Senior Director of Network Management. “She’s a mom, she’s a friend – she IS that fierce advocate that we talk about. She genuinely is a champion of hope for about 400,000 Arizonans. When I think about this award and what it’s truly intended to recognize, I think about Christie – her advocacy, her compassion. You don’t always see her as the loudest voice at the table, but it’s often the strongest and she is often reminding us of why we’re here.”

Christie’s name will be displayed on a perpetual plaque in the Mercy Care lobby and on a second plaque at AHCCCS.  
 
​​​​​​​Watch a video celebrating Christie MacMurray. 

 

On October 15,2024, Mercy Care celebrated 127 community advocates and health care leaders were recognized as nominees for the 2024 RISE (Resilience, Innovation, Service and Empowerment) Awards. The RISE Awards celebrate the people in our community who are working to make the lives of others better. RISE stands for Resilience, Innovation, Service and Empowerment. The RISE Awards honor individuals and organizations who live these values every day in the three areas of Inspiration, Innovation, and Advocacy. 

Inspiration, Individual 

Damien Browning 

Inspiring change within a community can start with anyone. Those who are on the front lines, who speak with the members we serve, who hear their stories, are the ones who make a difference. Damien Browning co-founded Steps to Recovery Homes in 2013. 10 years later, the organization now has its own building, a men’s facility, a women’s facility, a transitional house, a job development program, a resale store, and an outpatient treatment center. Damien has generously shared his journey with others and has inspired others to continue in their recovery. He is a living example that reentry and long-term recovery is possible.

 

 

Inspiration, Provider 

Circle the City 

Since 2008, Circle the City has transformed how healthcare is delivered to individuals facing homelessness in Maricopa County. By addressing both medical and social needs, the organization has created a holistic model of care that inspires change locally and nationally. One of the most significant reforms Circle the City has inspired is the integration of medical respite care, bridging the gap between hospital discharge and street life, ensuring that individuals have a safe place to recover.

 

 

Innovation, Individual  

Juan Te Dailey, D Squared Homes for the Homeless

When Juan Te’s son who was struggling with mental health became homeless, she took action. She met him where he was and maintained his dignity while meeting his needs and those of his community. This was the beginning of Dsquared Homes for the Homeless in 2019. In addition to providing the essentials for the unhoused, Dsquared Homes’ innovation has resulted in programs such as the GAP PROGRAM, has provided additional funding to qualified persons to help with move-in expenses.

 

 

Innovation, Provider  

The Arizona Pet Project

The Arizona Pet Project (AZPP) is the only agency of its kind in the country working at the intersection of human services and pet ownership to remove barriers to accessing human care for low-income and vulnerable individuals with animals. They provide resources and services to keep pets and people together during financial hardship or crisis. Due to AZPP’s focus on systems-level change and policy work, Arizonans with pets have increased access to safe shelter, transitional and permanent housing, healthcare, substance use treatment, and employment.

 

 

Advocacy, Individual 

Floribella Redondo-Martinez, Arizona Community Health Workers Association, Inc.

Ms. Redondo-Martinez’s spent 30 years serving as a promotora de salud (community health worker) and 20 years working as a migratory farmworker in Yuma, Ariz. has given her a unique lens to speak to the inequities plaguing her peers. She has sought resources to assist with the health disparities impacting farmworkers in Yuma County and beyond and has created a community health worker workforce fighting for the rights of farmworkers and under-resourced communities for over 30 years.

 

 

Advocacy, Provider  

Women's Health Innovations (WHI) of Arizona

WHI provides no cost services to parents struggling with their mental health. By collaborating with community partners, WHI offers no cost support and therapy groups in English and Spanish. Working closely with hospital systems, WHI meets new parents at their bedside, ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home. In just four months, more than 250 new parents were introduced to specialized support by certified peer support specialists, who also follow up with them during the postpartum period.

 

Joseph P. Anderson, Co-founder & CEO Schaller Anderson

Joe is a native Arizonan and a graduate of Arizona State University. He held executive positions in Arizona state government for 17 years, including deputy director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the Arizona Department of Administration, and the Arizona Department of Economic Security. While in state government, Joe was tapped by then-Governor Bruce Babbitt to address the state’s failing Medicaid system. Working with Dr. Donald Schaller, they rebuilt Arizona’s Medicaid delivery system, creating a new model of managed health care that cut costs while providing high quality care and became a national model for other states. Joe was also instrumental in drafting and securing Federal approval on legislation for the Arizona Long Term Care System, which was the nation’s first statewide prepaid long-term care system for the elderly, physically disabled and developmentally disabled Medicaid populations.

Click here to watch a video celebrating Joseph P. Anderson. 

Honoree: Denise Ochoa-Puchi, long term care case management administrator and manager of Pima County

“Denise cares deeply for Mercy Care members and colleagues,” said Cindy Leach, Mercy Care long term care vice president. “She puts people first, rises to any challenge, searches to create simplicity in a complex ALTCS program, and cultivates trust in all her interactions with others.”

“Denise does everything for our members,” said Gretchen Lueck, Mercy Care long term care case manager. “She’s come up with many programs to help our members thrive. She’s always trying to expand the member experience in a holistic way.”

“Being heard is the biggest thing that families want,” said Sarah Klawans, Mercy Care long term care supervisor. “Families leave feeling heard. They want to know that we are advocating for their needs and Denise makes them feel that way.”

Watch a video celebrating Denise Ochoa-Puchi.

On May 11, 2023, Mercy Care recognized more than 200 community advocates and health care leaders at Mercy Honors. The RISE (RISE stands for Resilience, Innovation, Service and Empowerment.) awards celebrate individuals and organizations in our community who are working to make the lives of others better. The awards honor individuals and organizations in the three areas of Compassion, Innovation, and Advocacy and Collaboration. The RISE Lifetime Achievement Award honors the outstanding contributions of an individual that affects community health and wellness. And our ReMEMBER Kate Aurelius Award honors an employee that has made outstanding contributions to our members.

You can view a replay of the Mercy Honors livestream event on our YouTube page.

Compassion

Individual: Valerie Hunt

"Inspiring change within a community can start with anyone. Those who are on the front lines, who speak with the members we serve, who hear their stories, are the ones who make a difference. Valerie hears those stories and advocates for everyone she meets. She does this with dedication and enthusiasm that are unparalleled—an enthusiasm and passion that are both contagious and inspiring. Not only does she support members, but she also supports therapists. These therapists then go on to provide therapy for the members we serve. It’s like a chain reaction of compassion and kindness."
 

Provider: The Villages Program, Copa Health

"Based at three Copa Health sites, The Villages are staffed with behavioral health technicians and peer support specialists that provide activities and experiences to promote the health and well-being of the whole person. Using evidence-based resources, The Villages provide groups and activities for Copa Health members to enhance their health and wellness, education, life skills, and work exploration. Through the compassionate care of Copa Health’s behavioral health technicians, members are offered the opportunity to learn communication skills, relationships, and interpersonal skills while creating a community of friends and a support system."
 

Innovation

Individual: Christine Ehrich, CEO, Axis for Autism

"Nationwide, a critical shortage of autism providers is causing significant delays in evaluation and care. Here in Arizona, families often languish on waitlists for a year or more before connecting with a provider who has the necessary expertise to perform this evaluation and make a formal diagnosis. Christine Ehrich built an innovative network of doctorate-level psychologists and created a groundbreaking technological platform that allows these clinicians to work remotely."
 

Provider: Tara Sundem, Hushabye Nursery

"Tara is a neonatal nurse practitioner who, in the midst of the opioid crisis, noticed an increase in the number of babies being born substance-exposed. She also noticed that the clinician caring for the baby and the environment they fostered made a difference in the way the baby progressed through their withdrawals (meaning that babies who were in a calm/quiet environment where they were in the presence of their parents did better). This sparked Tara to seek out a different way to care for these babies and their families. Hushabye Nursery is the result—a dually licensed facility in Phoenix that focuses on getting the entire family healthy through outpatient behavioral health programs and an inpatient program. They have a 12-bed freestanding nursery that detoxes babies who have neonatal abstinence syndrome, where the parents can room in 24/7 and assist in caring for their baby. This program is the only one like it in the country. It has served over 450 babies in two years with amazing outcomes for both the babies and the parents and is gaining national recognition for the work Tara is doing."
 

Advocacy and collaboration  

Individual: Desiree Lynn Cook

"Desiree Cook's lived experiences have inspired her to revolutionize a movement called I Am Somebody, which creates awareness and educates by creating a clear lens of the daily struggles of our underserved youth. Desiree is providing the first-of-its-kind cultural-related hygiene programs according to age, gender, and ethnicity as well as programs to combat bullying and improve social skills, school attendance, and academic success. Desiree has also helped to build Tucson's first tiny home community for youth who have aged out of the foster system or are experiencing homelessness. This effort is focused on youth ages 18–22 and is a blend of self-development, life skills, and homeownership. The goal is to end homelessness and sew this population back into the fabric of our community."
 

Provider: Tanner Community Development Corporation 

"Tanner Community Development Corporation, or TCDC, provides strategies and training through evidence-based programs to model prevention and resistance skills for youth to discourage underage drinking and marijuana use. TCDC's Family Preservation Project also increases knowledge and skills related to TIC (trauma-informed care) for professionals, faith partners, and caregivers. They help provide resources and services to promote family well-being. TCDC has set out to develop a community of casita-style tiny homes for homeless veterans. This project will allow homeless veterans to re-integrate into society and the community. These homes will offer units with the option of 400 to 600 square feet of living space. The units will be in-place, permanent rental homes. There will also be 35 individual housing units and dedicated on-site Community Resource Center for the veteran residents."

Honoree: Suzanne Pfister

Suzanne is the president and CEO of Vitalyst Health Foundation, which focuses on Arizona health policy, technical assistance for non-profits and strength-based community engagement and systems change.

She and her colleagues are working on a variety of projects, including support for the Cover AZ Coalition, which is focused on helping people obtain affordable health insurance; which is especially important work as we all continue to unwind the public health emergency.

Suzanne has had an unparalleled impact on Arizona’s health care industry with those who have worked with her describing her as “a force of nature” with a passion for leaving the world a better place.
 

Honoree: Anna Lambert, LTC Supervisor

Anna has touched thousands of lives directly and indirectly as a long term care supervisor. Her colleagues describe her as a compassionate individuals whose legacy is her commitment to the members, her team, and Mercy Care. 

“Anna really embodies the ReMEMBER Kate Aurelius Award,” said Karla Juarez-Calderon, Mercy Care case management coordinator. “She puts our members first and she is a great leader. She listens attentively to what we have to say, guides us through critical questions and allows us to be better stewards of our members. health.”

“She’ll be most remembered by the help and guidance she provides to compassionately, caringly and lovingly, work with our members to keep them in their best light and in their best situation,” said Anne Levy, Mercy Care case manager. “Kate always asked, ‘what have you done for our members lately?’ Anna doesn’t ask us that, she shows us that.”
 

Advocacy and collaboration  

Individual and organization

Alice Scott, YAP—Youth Advocate Programs 

Andy Arnowitz, Copa Health

Angelica Diaz, Mohave Mental Health Clinic

Arthur Melle, Southwest Network

Beverly Wohlert, Arizona Women’s Recovery Center 

Brenda Peral, Arizona Department of Child Safety

Marketing Team, Copa Health

Creshinda Thomas and Ray Miedema, S.T.A.R. Centers, Inc.

Danielle Frederick, STAR West Recovery 

Darwyn Chern, MD, Copa Health

Demetra Presley, Go With The Flow

Donna Floyd, S.T.A.R. West

Dr. Robert Rhoton, The Arizona Trauma Institute

Elizabeth (Liz) DaCosta, Community Bridges, Inc. 

Erica Contreras, Recovery Empowerment Network 

Izabel Rios, Lifewell

Jacqueline Miller, Centurion

Jenna Baker, Southwest Network 

Jerilyn Poulain, Brookdale Senior Living—Trail Ridge 

Jessica Bolland, CHEEERS Recovery Center

Jessica Bruce, Parent

Jessica Matus, Action Behavior Centers

Kimberly McWilliams, Terros Health

Laure Kasper, Caretaker, MAC/CLAS member

Laurie Goldstein, Association for the Chronically Mentally Ill

Linda Camacho, Lifewell

Mary Jo Whitfield, Jewish Family & Children's Services

Pamela Woolgar, AACT Arizona

Pariss Bobo-Mitchell, New Horizons Behavioral Health/Rising Stars 

Sanghoon Yoo, The Faithful City

Thomas Pickerel, Community Bridges, Inc.

Tomás León, Equality Health Foundation

ToniMarie Mendez, Open Hearts Family Wellness

Veannisa Ramirez, RI International

Provider and organization

Aaron Edwards, Lifewell

Christian Leon, Happy Kids Pediatrics/Feliz Care Centers

Copa Health Coordinated Care, Copa Health

Donald Pierce, Unhooked Recovery

Jennifer Bose, Copa Health

Jennifer Brunson, CHEEERS Recovery Center

Medical ACT Team West, Copa Health  

MVP Kids Care Pediatrics  

Suganya Karuppana, MD, CMO, CMOO, Valle del Sol

Team Select Home Care

Compassion

Individual 

Adam Geno, Lifewell

Agnes Bartha, Mountain Park Medical Center

Alejandro Gomez, Good Neighbor Support Services 

Amy Denny, Lifewell

Ashley Beebe, Southwest Network—Saguaro Clinic 

Barbara Gonzales, Good Neighbor Support Services 

Beatriz Mateus, Southwest Network 

Beverly Wohlert, Arizona Women’s Recovery Center

Bianca Navarro, Alliance Behavioral Care

Brandon Lee, Art Of Our Soul

Brielle Rawlings-Dube, Touchstone

Britney Gooch, New Horizons Behavioral Health

Caitlin Hanson, Copa Health

Carlie Mooney, CHEEERS Recovery Center

Carrie Amy, Lifewell Behavioral Wellness Center—Desert Cove Site

Carrie Guyer, Alliance Behavioral Care

Cesar Tellez, Equality Health

Charity Renn, Lifewell, Windsor Clinic

Courteney Schinbeckler, Action Behavior Centers

Crystal Dombliksy-Klein, Southwest Network, Saguaro Clinic—ACT Team 

Dana Clapper, RI International

Dana Matturro, Ashton Gardens Assisted Living 

Danielle Hansen, Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI)

Dedra Seraphim, Metro NBI Chandler 

Dennis Wolfley, Stillwater Hospice

Detza VanBogaert, La Frontera—EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center

Dr. Albert A. Callie, Callie Pediatrics

Dr. Beverly Wohlert, Arizona Women’s Recovery Center

Dr. Shaun Dekutoski, Copa Health

Eddie Almberg, MIND 24-7 

Eshawn Peterson, Onward Hope, Inc. 

Eva Clemente, Good Neighbor Support Services 

Gerardo Sicalo Obrosky, Providence General Medicine and Pediatrics

Gina Paone, Hopess

Grant Oakley, Copa Health—At Leisure World Coyote Café

Heather Morales, Lifewell

Hoa Mai, Copa Health

Jamar Jackson, La Frontera—EMPACT

Jennie Dalcour, Christian Family Care

Jessica Newbourn, BridgeWater Assisted Living - Solterra Team Services

JoAnn “Jodi” Goguen, Open Hearts Family Wellness

Joanna Gaston, Stand Together and Recover Centers, Inc.—S.T.A.R

Joleen Rodriguez, COPE Community Services

Jonathan Mackey, Brain Solutions, PLLC

Kathrin “Allie” Zeller, Action Behavior Centers

Kathy Bynum, Homes of Personal Enrichment and Sobriety Services

Kaylee Dailey, Veyo

Kristel Montroy, RI International

Kristina Craig and Jessi Sheava, Licensed foster family for Grace Retreat Foster Care

Lindsey Kroll, Emblem Healthcare, Inc.

Lynn Guyot, RISE

Lyubov Walker, Brookdale Senior Living—Union Hills

Mackey, Brain Solutions, PLLC

Mary Krueger, Open Hearts

Mary Pelascini La Frontera—EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center

Matthew Beaty, New Hope of Arizona, Inc.

Megan Risner, Lifewell, South Mountain

Michael Beltran, Copa Health

Michael Rhinehart, La Frontera—EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center

Michael W. Sullivan, Mike’s Adult Foster Care

Michelle Cirocco, Televerde

Mike Zeeb, RI International

Molly Fisher Foster, Terros—Crisis

Nancy Osborn, Mentally Ill Kids in Distress (MIKID)

Nicole Nelson, Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI)

Andrea Klimas, Patina Wellness Center—Native American Connections

Penelope Weber, Brookdale Senior Living—Camino del Sol

Ramona Jacobo Arreola, Good Neighbor Support Services

Rayletta Bahe, Brookdale Senior Living—Flagstaff

Rebecca Peralta, CHEEERS Recovery Center

Richard Allsbrook, Life Force Community Services

Richard Novitske, YAP—Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. 

Robert Daly, Good Neighbor Support Services 

Rodney Reed, Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI)

Rosa Del Aguila Pineda, Providence General Medicine and Pediatrics

Roy Monroe, CHEEERS Recovery Center

Rudy Apadaca, Dignity Health

Ryan Berger, Lifewell/TLP—Fillmore

Sara Wind, Caitlin Hanson and Grant Oakley, Copa Health

Sarah Deats, RI International 

Seneca Dixon, Lifewell

Shawn Matturro, Ashton Gardens Assisted Living 

Shequan Palmer, Open Hearts

Stella Paolini, Mujeres Únicas

Stephany Cohen, Recovery Innovations International

Stevie Willis, La Frontera—EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center

Susan Henry, Lifewell Behavioral Wellness 

Susanna Terrell, RI International, The Restart Program

Tavo Sastre, Reach Family Services

Tia McKay, Brookdale, North Tucson

Tonja Oliver, Therapeutic foster parent for Human Services Consultants 

Tyler Santos, Lifewell

Wendy Armendariz, Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH)

Zaniel “Zane” Freeman, Home Assist Health

Provider

April Dickerson, Recovery Empowerment Network

Arizona Child Psychology  

Copa Health IT & Digital, Copa Health

Donald Feltner, Devereux

Dr. Nima Ghadimi, SPG Virtual Care

Medical ACT Team West, Copa Health

First Episode Center (FEC) Program—Shasa Jackson, Dr. Aris Mosely and entire FEC Team, Valleywise Health

Innovation

Individual and organization

Brian McDonald, Alliance Behavioral Care

Britney Gooch, New Horizons Behavioral Health

Cherilyn Yazzie, Coffee Pot Farms

Christine Stevens, Axiom Care

Deven Torrez, Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI)

Dr. Shar Najafi-Piper, Copa Health

Erik Osland, evolvedMD

James Ward, Southwest Network

Jeff Pobst, S.T.A.R Life and Skills Center

Jennifer Muñoz, Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI)

Kimberly Craig, CHEEERS Recovery Center

Kulinda Rollins, Focused Family Services

Kyle Curtis, La Frontera—EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center

Mark Walsh, Retina Associates 

Monica Chavez, La Frontera—EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center

Rhonda Kiphuth, Hopess. Residential Treatment

Roxy Sandoval , Nationwide Vision SNF Mobile Unit 

Shelby Schrader, Alliance Behavioral Care

Shelly Hislop, La Frontera—EMPACT, Suicide Prevention Center

Sunshine Dean, Spectrum Healthcare Group

Tyler Stott, Resilient Health

Valle del Sol Mobile Team, Valle del Sol  

Vivienne Gellert, Gellert Health, Inc.

Wardaine Taylor, Comfort Keepers—Chandler

Provider and Organization

Advanced Autism Center for Treatment—Cori Law, Advanced Autism Center for Treatment

Amy Whatley, Southwest Human Development

Anthony Johnston, Lifewell

Brain Solutions, Brain Solutions, PLLC

Carl Santoro, Compassionate Assistance

Cicili Arockiaraj, NP, Community Partners Integrated Health

Gateway ACT Team, Copa Health

Dana Matturro  

Dr. Beverly Thomas-Carter, Life Health and Wellness Health Care 

Dr. Ramiz Audi, Arizona’s Children Association

Florence Crittenton Services of Arizona  

Gail Salentes, Dr. John Sarris, Leo, Sarah, Patti, Sheri and the MACT Team, Copa Health