History of Sun Health
Nonprofit Sun Health has championed healthy living, research and superior health care in the Northwest Valley for nearly 50 years.
It all started in the mid-1960s when a group of concerned Sun City residents joined with local leaders to explore building a hospital to serve their rapidly growing community. At the time, the nearest hospital was in Glendale, about 10 miles away. The group’s efforts, along with widespread community support, led to the 1970 opening of Boswell Memorial Hospital (today’s Banner Boswell Medical Center).
Following in Boswell’s path was the Sun Health Research Institute (Banner Sun Health Research Institute), launched in 1986, the opening of Del E. Webb Memorial Hospital in 1988 and creation of a wide range of services and programs to address the health care and socials needs of area seniors.
Sun Health forged a partnership with Banner Health in 2008 under which Banner assumed management of the medical centers and the research institute. Sun Health continues to provide philanthropic support to Banner Boswell and Banner Del E. Webb as well as the research institute through Sun Health Foundation.
Today, Sun Health has evolved from a hospital-based system to a health and wellness organization focused on keeping older adults active, healthy and independent through education, prevention, support and innovation.
Sun Health consists of three organizational units:
- Sun Health Foundation
- Sun Health Communities
- Sun Health Community Wellness
Sun Health employs more than 700 staff members in the West Valley, making it one of the region’s largest employers.