Giving with Purpose Helps Change Lives in the Valley
Sharon and Dr. Ollie Harper are known across Arizona not only for their leadership, but also for their heartfelt commitment to strengthening the community’s access to exceptional healthcare, regardless of the patient’s circumstances.
As honorary co-chairs of the 2025 Valleywise Health Foundation’s A Night in the Valley, they helped shine a spotlight on one of Phoenix’s most vital institutions, Valleywise Health, and assisted in raising more than $600,000 to support the Valley’s only teaching hospital and fund critical health programs.
Dr. Harper is a family physician with a subspecialty in geriatric medicine. He is a former faculty member of the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, where he served as a clinical assistant professor.
“Philanthropy is a key piece of improving the population we serve,” said Dr. Harper. “Medical education is an expensive investment and philanthropy in support of the education of physicians is critically important.”
Sharon is the CEO, Chairperson and Co-Founder of Plaza Companies, one of Arizona’s leading real estate firms, recognized for its focus on medical, bioscience, commercial, hospitality and senior living communities.
“Both my husband and I have participated in and invested in a number of organizations that we feel make our community a better place,” Sharon said. “Valleywise Health is at the top of that list. They have a mission of strengthening our population, no matter who they are, no matter what they need and no matter where they are in the county.”
The Harpers’ decades of philanthropic support, service and partnership with healthcare organizations have been instrumental in funding critical programs, expanding access to care and inspiring others across the region to invest in the health of Arizona families. They embody a lifelong commitment to serving others through their leadership, advocacy and generosity.
“Valleywise makes Phoenix better,” said Dr. Harper. “They make Phoenix healthier, and they make Phoenix safer by meeting the needs of our community.”
“Every physician trained at Valleywise has a dedication to medicine and to the patients, which has always been exceptional, but it cannot be achieved without community support,” he added.
Sharon and Dr. Harper’s support of Valleywise Health serves as a powerful reminder that philanthropy can transform lives in very real ways by strengthening programs, expanding access to care and investing in the future of health across the Valley.
