PHOENIX [August 23, 2019] – Phoenix Children’s Hospital is proud to announce that three of the hospital’s leaders were selected as Health Care Heroes Awards finalists during Phoenix Business Journal’s award breakfast on August 22. Carmen Neuberger, Phoenix Children’s general counsel and executive vice president, was selected as a finalist and the winner for the Non-physician category. Angus Wilfong, MD, Division Chief of Pediatric Neurology, was selected as a finalist for the Innovator category, and Daniel Velez, MD, Division Chief of the Heart Center at Phoenix Children’s, was selected as a finalist in the Physician category.
All three leaders are recognized for their outstanding contributions to Phoenix Children’s, the pediatric population and the greater Arizona community.
Neuberger’s award reflects the work she has put into developing a robust risk, legal, compliance and legislative affairs program at Phoenix Children’s. Her strategic oversight has also been integral in the Phoenix Children’s growth, helping drive expansion from a single hospital to one of the largest pediatric health centers in the state with more than 40 locations across Arizona. She has been vital in the development of Phoenix Children’s Care Network (PCCN), Arizona’s first and largest clinically integrated network Carmen’s leadership was also recently recognized on a national stage through her appointment to the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council (NACHHD). Her work not only benefits Phoenix Children’s patients and families, it has a profound impact on the community and the state.
Dr. Wilfong’s recognition reflects his first-of-their-kind contributions to pediatric health care through the discovery and development of new procedures and devices that improve the quality of life for young patients. Among his many accolades, he pioneered a breakthrough treatment – stereotactic laser ablation brain surgery – to treat and cure patients with hypothalamic hamartomas; rare, tumor-like malformations that occur before birth. Patients who suffer ongoing seizures for years report their seizures stop altogether or the patient was able to cut back significantly on prescription drug treatment.
Dr. Velez was selected as a finalist in the Physician category. A testament to his achievements in clinical skill, patient care and dedication to his craft, Dr. Velez made history implanting a total artificial heart (TAH) in the youngest patient to ever receive one, a 10 year old.
Phoenix Children’s is proud to have charismatic leaders who excel at their craft and are well respected by both their peers and community. All three of these individuals represent qualities that emulate the Phoenix Children’s mission.
About Phoenix Children’s
Phoenix Children’s Hospital is Arizona’s only children’s hospital recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals. For 35 years Phoenix Children's has provided world-class inpatient, outpatient, trauma, emergency and urgent care to children and families in Arizona and throughout the Southwest. As one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country, Phoenix Children’s delivers care across more than 75 pediatric specialties. Recognized specifically for its patient-focused innovation, medical education, growth and research, Phoenix Children’s was named Business of the Year and Exceptional Innovator by the Greater Phoenix Chamber in 2018. For more information about the hospital, visit phoenixchildrens.org.