WHO ARE WE...
Every community needs both a head and a heart. If Payson’s head is the Town, then clearly its heart is the Mogollon Health Alliance. As the successor in interest to the group of citizens and doctors who built and operated the original Payson Hospital, MHA has evolved over the past 12 years into a multi-faceted community service organization with lofty goals and objectives and with many accomplishments. As the non-profit community leader in promoting and enhancing rural health care issues, MHA has been an innovator and facilitator in a number of critical areas throughout Northern Gila County and across the state. MHA has been a leader in providing training and equipment to First Responder Units throughout the region. Tens of thousands of dollars have given in grants to assist rural fire departments, firefighters and other first responders in the region.
With an intense and focused effort, Mogollon Health Alliance was successful in inducing DaVita to open a much needed Dialysis Center in Payson. Additionally, MHA continues to provide supplemental physical and financial assistance to dialysis patients in the community. As a core mission and objective, MHA has promoted women’s wellness through the years. For more than a decade, MHA has promoted and publicized women’s health issues through programs such as the Women’s Wellness Forum and the Rural Women’s Health Network.
Mogollon Health Alliance has developed into a leader in enhancing access to rural health care. As the owner and lessor of the Payson Hospital, MHA’s Board and staff are charged with monitoring and working with the Hospital to help ensure that the needs of the region are being met. As a result of their involvement with the Gila Community College Nursing Education Program, many locally trained and educated nurses have been hired to serve in our community.
Through the use of scholarships and program enhancements, students have been able to get the education they need right here in their own community. In addition, through activities such as sponsorship of the Payson Health and Care Fair and programs to provide car seats and bike helmets free of charge, MHA has promoted awareness of, and access to, health care and child safety.
Since 2004, Mogollon Health Alliance has provided staffing and a legal and financial domicile for the Gracie Lee Haught Memorial Fund. The working relationship between GLH and MHA has greatly enhanced the resources and outreach efforts of both organizations. Development of one of the most advanced bionic nurses’ training centers in rural Arizona is just one of many examples of the synergy created with this alliance.
Mogollon Health Alliance has attained the success it enjoys in large part because of its efforts at recruiting good staff and sound Board members from those who are proven leaders in business, volunteer groups and community service organizations. MHA has maintained a stable and solid financial base through sound fiscal management, budgeting and financial monitoring through both good and bad economic times. The first dozen years of existence has demonstrated that a well run and properly structured non-profit can truly become the heart of a community.
Kenny Evans
President
Mogollon Health Alliance