recognizing and celebrating the dedicated leaders who make a difference in our senior community

Dr. Sam Downing
July 2023 Award Recipient

Dr. Sam W. Downing

Dignity Health – Yavapai Regional Medical Group
Palliative Care

Dr. Downing has deep roots in Prescott and has touched so many medical organizations in our community. He has served as a family practice doctor, medical director for Northland Cares HIV Clinic, staff physician at Embry-Riddle’s student wellness center, the first hospice medical director for YRMC and Good Samaritan Society, stints at Arizona Pioneers Home and the VA, and now at his current role at Dignity Health’s Palliative Care department, spearheading the Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic, which uses a team approach to diagnose and develop a care plan for neurocognitive conditions such as dementia, depression, strokes and Parkinson’s disease, for example.

Dr. Downing’s passion is caring for seniors, with the goal of giving them the best quality of life they can have, for as long as they can have it. He’s been helping folks in our community navigate the aging process for over three decades now, through his work as a physician and an educator. Whether he’s giving talks in the community about brain health and dementia or working with families and patients on the “what happens next” questions of palliative care, or helping families with a loved one on hospice focus on making the most of the time they have left, Dr. Downing’s kind heart always shines through.

What is the Hometown Halo Award?

The “Hometown Halo” award recognizes and celebrates the dedicated leaders who make a difference in our senior community.

The award is granted to one recipient every other month, selected from members of the SRN community who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the senior community

Hometown Halo Criteria

  1. Candidate must have been working in Northern Arizona for over 1 year.
  2. They work with their heart for the benefit of others.
  3. They show in their work and personal lives: “Kindness in Action”.
  4. They are out in our communities promoting taking care of others.
  5. They don’t search for the limelight, but SNR wants to acknowledge their hard work.

Award Recipients

November 2026 Recipient
U.S. VETS Prescott
Executive Director
August 2026 Recipient
Arizona Pioneers’ Home
May 2026 Recipient
Servant’s Heart Transport
February 2026 Recipient
New Horizons Disability Empowerment Center
Outreach Coordinator/Independent Living
November 2025 Recipient
Department of Veterans Affairs
July 2025 Recipient
House of Hope 316
Director
May 2025 Recipient
Prescott Area Shelter Services
Executive Director
February 2025 Recipient
Horses with Heart
Certified Instructor (CTRI), HwH Board Member, CHA Member
November 2024 Recipient
Yavapai County Food Bank
Founders
August 2024 Recipient
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office
Fraud Investigation
May 2024 Recipient
CASA - Central Arizona Seniors Association
MARY - BOARD PRESIDENT CASA SENIOR CENTER | BETTY - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - CEO
March 2024 Recipient
Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NaCog)
Clients Services Manager
January 2024 Recipient
Real Hope
November 2023 Recipient
Yavapai Exceptional Industries
September 2023 Recipient
Prescott Meals on Wheels
May 2023 Recipient
The Susan J. Rheem Adult Day Center
Director
March 2023 Recipient
Senior Connection
Owner/Founder
January 2023 Recipient
SYNERGY HomeCare and iCARE Adult Center
Owner