Maricopa Health Foundation’s Night of Heroes Told the Heroic and Inspiring Story of Derek Boehm, RN

PHOENIX – On April 25, 2019, more than 300 guests gathered at the Phoenix Art Museum for the Maricopa Health Foundation’s third Night of Heroes. The annual event celebrates heroic patient stories and recognizes the Maricopa Integrated Health System (soon to be Valleywise Health) doctors, nurses, employees and community first responders who are behind-the-scenes heroes each day.

This year’s honoree was Derek Boehm, RN, a military veteran, former firefighter, paramedic and flight paramedic, whose life was changed forever in a fatal helicopter crash during a routine flight in the Superstition Mountains.

The sole survivor, Boehm spent hours alone in the cold with life-threatening injuries hoping to be found. Following a long recovery, Derek completed his training to become a registered nurse, and now works alongside the same doctors and nurses who saved his life. The event highlighted MIHS’s role as Arizona’s only public teaching hospital and shared how the safety net health system is addressing Arizona’s health provider shortage. Funds raised will go toward advanced technology and training resources at MIHS.