The Maricopa Health Foundation held its 7th Annual Copa Ball on Saturday, October 9th at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, honoring the following two outstanding medical professionals:

John A., Dover, M.D., – Recipient of the J.Kipp Charlton Physician of Excellence Award and Margi J. Schultz, PhD, RN, CNE, PLNC - Recipient of the Joey Ridenour Nursing Excellence Award

Dr. John Dover has been a member of the medical community for more than 20 years. A well respected oncologist, Dr. Dover is a Class of 1980 graduate of the Wake Forest Medical School. He completed his residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1988. As a Board Certified Radiation Oncologist and a Fellow of the American College of Radiology, he has done much to help better our community. In 2006, Dr. Dover formed Integrated Medical Services to help streamline the health care process. As the President of IMS he has worked to improve the experience for Doctors and patients. We are proud to honor Dr. Dover with the 2010 J. Kipp Charlton Physician of Excellence Award.

Margi Schultz owns a list of accomplishments not only long, but impressive in its depth and scope. Dr. Schultz began her career working in the intensive care unit at Scottsdale Healthcare- Osborn. She excelled in this position, earning recognition for her leadership, patient care, and educational skills. During the following years she pursued her passion for teaching, a passion that has not gone unrecognized. For the last three years she has been the director of the Nursing Division at Gateway Community College. She is a contributing author to several nursing publications with book chapters focused on issues ranging from use of the Web to surviving work place conflict. An important member of the Maricopa nursing community, we are proud to honor Dr. Schultz with the 2010 Joey Ridenour Nursing Excellence Award.

CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona was the presenting sponsor of the Gala, which benefits the Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS). The Foundation exists solely to support the services of MIHS which touches the lives of nearly all residents of Maricopa County one way or another. The Phoenix Cancer Center is a leading provider for cancer care, where patients have access to receive high quality cancer treatment through the latest technology with top physicians and specialists. Programs include the Level I Trauma Center, The Arizona Burn Center and the Arizona Children’s Center. MIHS trains more than 400 physicians a year and provides care to the uninsured and underinsured.

The evening began with a VIP reception, followed by a cocktail and silent auction reception, dinner and awards presentation. Guest speaker Rose Rivers told the guests her uplifting story of surviving breast cancer with the excellent care she received from the committed professionals and staff at MIHS.  The evening ended with dancing and socializing.

Proceeds from the event will be used to touch the lives of countless patients and their loved ones through the programs of the Foundation and Maricopa Integrated Health System.

The mission of Maricopa Health Foundation is to provide philanthropic support of Maricopa Integrated Health System programs, education, research and capital improvement projects that advance patient welfare and improve health care in the community.

For more information, visit www.mihs.org.