Local Standouts Recognized for Achievements and Philanthropy

ACHIEVEMENTS

Terracon Achievements: Top Rankings & Philanthropy

The Southwest regional offices (Ariz., Nev., N.M.) of Terracon, a leading provider of environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services, moved up nine spots from last year to No. 13 on Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) list of Top Southwest Design Firms, while the company overall continues to advance in other national rankings.

The employee-owners at Terracon are dedicated to giving back to the community. In the past year, the Arizona office locations have helped with Kids at Hope via their Charity Golf tournament; securing Terracon Foundation grants for University of Arizona College of Public Health; and donating to the Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation.

Paul Johnson Drywall Holds AZ on Top-Ranking Contractor List

Paul Johnson Drywall, Inc. has been named to Walls & Ceilings Magazine’s 2020 Top 50 Contractors elite list for the sixth consecutive year and is the only drywall contractor with a presence in Arizona and Nevada to make the list. The publication is a premier resource for professionals in the wall and ceiling industry, and its list identifies the industry’s most progressive and resourceful contractors.

PJD’s exceptional employee benefits for craft workers and employees, including healthcare and paid vacation that begins on first day, home-buying assistance, career and professional advancement education program reimbursement and top-wage payment, has established the company as a leader in the construction industry.

PHILANTHROPY

UnitedHealthcare Donates More than $100,000 to Nonprofits in Arizona

With, funding is part of UnitedHealthcare’s $12.3 million in Empowering Health grants nationally, focused on expanding access to care and addressing the social determinants of health for people in underserved communities, includes $105,000 being awarded to three community-based organizations in Arizona: Pima Council on Aging in Tucson to purchase and deliver meals to homebound seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond; Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley in Phoenix to help keep clubs open that are providing full-day child care for health care providers, other essential workers and parents with low incomes who cannot do their jobs from home; and Preeclampsia Foundation, Navajo County to provide blood pressure cuffs enabling telehealth care to homebound pregnant and postpartum women in the Navajo Nation.

“This unprecedented environment has compounded challenges faced by Arizona’s most vulnerable residents and created further barriers to accessing the health care and services they need,” said Heather Kane, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Arizona. “Our support of these organizations in Arizona through this UnitedHealthcare Empowering Health commitment will help provide critical aid and resources to the communities in Arizona that need it the most.”

Providing access to better health in high-risk and high-need local communities is a profound challenge. According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, nearly 80% of what influences a person’s health relates to nonmedical issues, such as food, housing, transportation and the financial means to pay for basic daily needs.

The Empowering Health grants bring to more than $100 million UnitedHealth Group’s efforts to fight COVID-19 and assist impacted communities by supporting vulnerable populations, protecting the health care workforce and advancing breakthrough innovations in testing and treatment. This includes a recent $500,000 contribution from the United Health Foundation to the Arizona Food Bank Network to address food insecurity across the state.

In addition to UnitedHealthcare’s support in Arizona, the company has launched similar community initiatives and public-private collaborations nationwide focused on addressing social determinants of health. UnitedHealthcare has invested more than $500 million in affordable-housing communities since 2011, partnered with food banks and meal-delivery services, and last year joined with the American Medical Association to standardize how social determinants of health data is collected and used to create more holistic care plans.