There is nothing more personal than someone’s health.

That’s the core message relayed by Tom Sadvary, CEO of HonorHeath, the new medical and health care network formed from the recent merger of the John C. Lincoln Health Network and Scottsdale Healthcare.

The announcement of the new umbrella organization, HonorHealth, was made on March 30 in the home of Jenny Clark, whose large and active family have been regular patients of the John C. Lincoln network for several years. Over the years, Clark’s family has accumulated numerous medical records, and she used to take a large binder with all the family’s records to all doctor appointments.

Jenny Clark, whose active family of five—with one more on the way—has accumulated numerous medical records, explains to HonorHealth CEO Tom Sadvary how she used to take a large binder with all the family’s records to all doctor appointments. With HonorHealth’s interconnected network of care, all their medical records are easily accessed electronically by any doctor, hospital or urgent care in the network (photo by Teri Carnicelli).

“Healthcare in the past has been too fragmented,” Sadvary explained. “The goal it to connect everyone and everything, in an integrated way.”

HonorHealth, Sadvary added, is both a name and a call to action. “Will we honor our patients by focusing on their individual needs.”

Sadvary shared an example of that end-to-end, personalized care, as provided to 74-year-old widow Patricia Bruner. Bruner has been part of the John C. Lincoln Health Network for almost three decades.

Years ago, Bruner and her husband, Bob, drove across town to see their primary care physician, Dr. John Williams. When Bruner’s husband of 39 years passed away, Dr. Williams comforted her like a member of his own family.

That personal relationship continued through the decades and past Dr. Williams’ retirement in 2013. Bruner continues to be a patient at the Squaw Peak Family Medicine office in Sunnyslope, under the care of Patrick Knowles, M.D.

Bruner has faced her own health challenges, including three years ago when she underwent gallbladder surgery, and earlier this year when she was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia. In both cases, “The Transition Specialist program helped her get back to optimal health through home visits and medical and emotional support offered by Lewis, Chris and James,” explained Sadvary.

“They gave me the confidence that I could do what I needed to do to be healthy and make it on my own,” Bruner said.

“You’ve saved my life a few times, and the support of Lewis, Chris and James has been very special to me.”

HonorHealth was created in 2013 with the affiliation and subsequent merger of John C. Lincoln Health Network and Scottsdale Healthcare. HonorHealth Medical Group is now a network of 54 primary care and specialty practices, located throughout the Valley.

Under the umbrella nonprofit organization will be HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center. Sadvary said it was important to retain the John C. Lincoln name to honor the family and its legacy in serving the community.
All of the Desert Mission programs will retain their established names, however, many of the medical offices and services will now have “HonorHealth” in front of their names.

“HonorHealth is building an integrated healthcare delivery network of hospitals, physicians—private and employed—and outpatient services, which will provide a continuum of care for our patients,” said Sadvary. “We’re taking innovative steps to achieve our vision, and to proactively help our patients stay as healthy as possible.”