At the intersection of innovation and compassion, Sonora Quest Laboratories is setting a gold standard for corporate philanthropy in Arizona. As the state’s leading provider of diagnostic testing and information, Sonora Quest processes more than 100 million tests annually — but it’s the company’s profound dedication to community well-being that truly sets it apart.
From the beginning, Sonora Quest’s mission has gone beyond lab results. A joint venture between Banner Health and Quest Diagnostics, the organization has always understood that access to healthcare must extend beyond the insured. This belief is at the core of its enduring partnership with Mission of Mercy Arizona, a nonprofit clinic providing free healthcare and prescription medication to the uninsured and underinsured.
For more than 25 years, Sonora Quest has donated free lab testing to Mission of Mercy, enabling roughly 8,000 collections annually. These in-kind services — which include bloodwork, urinalysis and tissue biopsies — are a critical resource for Mission of Mercy’s volunteer physicians, allowing them to deliver holistic, high-quality care to patients who might otherwise go without.
“Quite simply, Mission of Mercy would not exist without the generous, in-kind support of Sonora Quest Laboratories and their leadership team’s commitment to provide ongoing support to our board of directors,” says Paula Carvalho, executive director of Mission of Mercy Arizona. “Sonora Quest ensures that the most vulnerable members of our community — the uninsured — have access to get the comprehensive, compassionate healthcare they desperately need.”
This spirit of giving is deeply embedded in the culture at Sonora Quest. Every member of the senior leadership team serves on at least one nonprofit board, reinforcing the company’s belief that true leadership extends beyond the office walls. President and CEO David Dexter plays an active role on several influential boards, including the American Cancer Society’s CEOs Against Cancer, Breakthrough T1D, and Contexture. Chief Operating Officer Sonya Engle, who chairs the American Cancer Society’s local board, was recently honored at the organization’s Game Changer Gala and remains a driving force behind statewide cancer screening efforts.
Alichia Chacon, senior director of General Diagnostics at Sonora Quest, brings her personal commitment to the cause as a board member for Mission of Mercy. “This is why I went into healthcare,” she says. “I’ve seen the struggles of people who had some type of gap in healthcare, and Mission of Mercy fills that gap by healing through compassion and love. Everyone deserves care and dignity.”
Sonora Quest’s philanthropic reach doesn’t stop there. In 2024, the company launched its Employee Impact Program to align corporate giving with the causes employees care most about. Through this initiative, employees nominate nonprofits for funding consideration, with final recipients selected based on mission alignment and community impact. In its first year, the program awarded $25,000 in grants to four organizations: Maggie’s Place, Banner Olive Branch Senior Center, Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation and AZStrut. Each reflects an area of critical need — ranging from senior services and family support to childhood cancer care and technology access for students.
In total, Sonora Quest’s community investment approaches $1 million annually, with roughly 25% of that value delivered as in-kind diagnostic services. But the company’s impact goes far beyond financial contributions. In 2024 alone, employees logged more than 1,100 volunteer hours, offering their time and talents to causes that align with both personal passion and professional purpose.
The company also maintains strong ties with national health organizations, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and Alzheimer’s Association. These “Big 3” nonprofit partners benefit from robust employee engagement through walk-a-thons, fundraising galas and internal campaigns. Sonora Quest employees raised more than $47,000 for these organizations in 2024 alone — a testament to the culture of generosity and service embedded across departments.
Chief Information Officer Sonny Varadan also extends the company’s impact through board roles with the Prostate On-Site Project and the Arizona Technology Council. His leadership helps address critical issues in men’s health and supports the development of Arizona’s technology workforce.
This wide-ranging commitment reflects Sonora Quest’s belief that corporate success should be measured not only in innovation or market share, but in the social value created. By underwriting care for Arizona’s uninsured, championing local nonprofits and empowering employees to act, Sonora Quest is helping redefine what leadership in healthcare looks like.
In every facet of its operations, from diagnostics to community partnerships, Sonora Quest is proving that access to healthcare isn’t just a service; it’s a right. And ensuring that right means stepping up as a company that leads with both science and heart.
Did You Know:
Operating mobile clinics across Maricopa County, Mission of Mercy delivers primary care and prescription services at no cost — no insurance, no copays, no questions asked. Their model prioritizes dignity and continuity of care, treating patients as “guests” rather than numbers. With clinics held in churches and community centers, the organization removes systemic barriers while fostering trust in underserved communities. Sonora Quest’s lab support helps sustain this unique, relationship-driven approach to healing.
Photo courtesy of Mission of Mercy of Arizona
