The Guardian

At Banner Heart Hospital, a unique sculpture — born out of adversity and generosity — greets all who enter the hospital’s front door. Known as the Guardian, it is a statue of a woman holding a heart in her hands, yet it is much more than a piece of art.

The Guardian is an important symbol that represents the promise of our employees and physicians to make a difference in the lives of all they encounter.

When one signs on to work at Banner Heart, they are signing on to be a Guardian—to live by a set of virtues that embody everything we stand for at Banner Heart Hospital:

• Wisdom
• Warmth
• Strength
• Integrity
• Gentleness

These key virtues form the foundation of the Banner Heart Hospital culture.

The Guardian virtues program and its symbolic statue were inspired by the life of Ann DenHerder. Ann died tragically at a young age, but her memory lives on thanks to the generosity of Carol DenHerder, and Kristin Rezler, Ann’s mother and sister, who are gracious benefactors of the Guardian statue and the Guardian Award program.

Learn more about The Guardian by watching the Guardian video.