PHOENIX (August 24, 2023) – Pierre N. Tariot, MD, an internationally renowned Alzheimer’s researcher and co-director of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, received the 2023 Health Care Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award today from the Phoenix Business Journal.
In addition, Candice Vaughan Griffin, DNP, RN, executive director of clinical education and professional development for Banner, received the 2023 Health Care Heroes Award for Nursing. Four other Banner Health nominations were named finalists in various categories.
“No one could be more deserving of this recognition than Pierre,” said Peter S. Fine, CEO of Banner Health. “He is a local, national and international luminary in Alzheimer’s disease research and care who has made enormous contributions to the field, and his impact on the people of Arizona and across the world will reverberate for years. I extend my wholehearted congratulations to him for this honor.”
Dr. Tariot has been a pioneer in Alzheimer’s research and care for more than 40 years, serving as director of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute since its founding 17 years ago. He is also a research professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix.
He created and co-leads the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative, a global partnership that launched a new era in which scientists began studying ways to prevent Alzheimer’s. His career-long leadership in groundbreaking clinical trials has led to multiple FDA-approved treatments, and he is widely respected for advancing understanding and management of the behavioral and psychological effects of dementia.
Vaughan Griffin leads clinical education and professional development across Banner’s six-state system. She has developed new models of nursing care and new-nurse onboarding and orientation. She oversees Banner’s accredited RN Residency and its New Graduate Residency programs.
The Phoenix Business Journal honored four other leaders from Banner as Health Care Heroes finalists in a range of categories:
- Innovation: Scott Sharples, MD, associate chief medical informatics officer for Banner Health
- Physician: Peter Nakaji, MD, head of neurosurgery and director of the Banner – University Medicine Neuroscience Institute
- Philanthropic Champion: Suzanne Hensing, board chair, Women Investing in Science and Health, Banner Health Foundation
- Volunteer: Marie Hagan, volunteer serving for 30 years at Banner Baywood and Banner Gateway medical centers
“I congratulate Candice for this well-deserved recognition of her exceptional leadership in bringing new nurses successfully into their roles at Banner,” said Fine. “She and our other leaders recognized reflect Banner’s outstanding talent and their dedication to innovation and excellence, as well as the commitment of the outstanding community leaders who support our work.”
Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 30 acute-care hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits and patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and can book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.
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