For all of us at Phoenix Children’s, supporting children’s health is more than a job—it’s a lifestyle. And for some of our physician leaders, that means taking their commitment to kids to a whole new level. These doctors not only have dedicated their careers to building best-in-class programs from the inside, but they also have joined our incredible community of donors to support these programs through philanthropy.

The music man: Dr. Gregory White

Dr. Gregory White

Division Chief, Orthopedics

A Phoenix native, Dr. Greg White has seen Phoenix Children’s grow from a few floors in Good Samaritan Hospital to the world-class organization that it is today. And in his time as division chief of the Herbert J. Louis Center for Pediatric Orthopedics, he and his team have transformed the department into a nationally recognized center of excellence.

But White hasn’t stopped there. He has spent the past 15 years bringing his passion for music into his professional life. White’s band of physicians, Central Line, has played local gigs, headlined charity events and even participated in a battle of the bands against a group of lawyers—all to raise funds for Phoenix Children’s programs, wherever they are most needed. As a division chief, he knows that even a few thousand dollars in donated ticket sales can make a real difference. “It has been so rewarding to use my hobby for the good of the people in this community,” he says.

Searching for cancer answers: Dr. Roberta Adams

Division Chief, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

Dr. Roberta Adams knows all too well how vital philanthropy is to cancer research. She manages one of the country’s largest cohorts of leukemia patients receiving CAR-T therapy—a cutting-edge form of immunotherapy that genetically alters a patient’s own cells to recognize, target and destroy only the cancerous cells, leaving the healthy cells intact. Phoenix Children’s is now treating 10 percent of all patients receiving the innovative new therapy in the U.S. Her goal: to make sure that every child in Arizona has access to groundbreaking medical treatments like CAR-T at their doorstep. 

Dr. Roberta Adams

But leading the study isn’t enough for Adams—she also supports Phoenix Children’s cancer research philanthropically. “Support is manifested in so many ways. It manifests as mentoring people. It manifests as teaching. It manifests as volunteering. And it manifests as financial support that can help this organization continue to grow.”

Dr. Daniel Velez

Funding the future: Dr. Daniel Velez

Division Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery

For Dr. Daniel Velez, the division chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Phoenix Children’s nationally recognized Heart Center, his work is simple: “I fix broken baby hearts,” he says. “I get to give families more time together. It’s pretty darn cool.”

But as if that wasn’t enough, Velez has also dedicated himself to raising additional resources for his team. Early in his career, he came to realize how vital philanthropy is to any hospital’s ability to provide the best possible care to its patients. He resolved that when he had the financial means, he would do his part.

In 2020, Velez established the Cardiothoracic Surgery Fund to give surgeons from his division access to the resources they need to pursue training and learning opportunities across the country and bring cutting-edge techniques into their practices at Phoenix Children’s. “I want to support them to do the best possible job that they can for our kids,” he said.

Support One of the Nation’s Top Pediatric Health Systems

Help provide hope, healing and world-class health care to patients today.

Stories Matter

If you have a story about how your life has been touched by Phoenix Children’s, we want to hear from you. 

Related Stories

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

A nurse administers chemotherapy to a child.Text change 1: Ellie is a budding fashionista, an aspiring equestrian, and an avid dancer and gymnast. She also has a rare metabolic disorder, but she doesn’t let it define her.

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

Text Change 2: As we celebrate Phoenix Children’s 40th anniversary this year, we’re also looking to the next 40 years and beyond. Read the 2022 annual report to find out where we’re going and how we’re growing.

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

Text Change 3: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.

More from the May 2023 Newsletter

Text Change 4: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.

More from the May 2023 newsletter:

Oliver’s Mind: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and one courageous 12-year-old is opening up about his mental health challenges in the hopes of reaching others who are struggling.

More from the May 2023 newsletter:

Mother Amy smiling at the camera, holding her baby, Drew.The Power of a Mother’s Love: As she prepares to celebrate Mother’s Day with her baby daughter, a first-time mom reflects on what it’s like to care for a child with a life-threatening medical condition.

More from the May 2023 newsletter:

Introducing Our 2023 Patient Ambassadors: Meet the eight patients who are serving as Phoenix Children’s ambassadors this year: Joey, Sutton, Joy, Nash, SJ, Chase, Elilai and CC.

Ellie sits at her kitchen table after her family sang the "Happy Birthday" song to her. Her cake is in front of her.A Life Worth Celebrating: Ellie is a budding fashionista, an aspiring equestrian, and an avid dancer and gymnast. She also has a rare metabolic disorder, but she doesn’t let it define her.

Looking to the Future: As we celebrate Phoenix Children’s 40th anniversary this year, we’re also looking to the next 40 years and beyond. Read the 2022 annual report to find out where we’re going and how we’re growing.

The Gift of Knowledge: In February, Desert Financial Foundation, Credit Union and employees donated more than $1 million to support Phoenix Children’s 1 Darn Cool School—and they also had a surprise for a former patient.