Reflecting on 30 Years of Service
Q&A with Tamra Buntrock

Tamra Buntrock, System Vice President, Finance and Administration, has served the CommonSpirit Health ministry for three decades. Time and time again, she witnesses moments of compassion and humankindness that deepen her connection and fill her with hope for the future.

During some of the hardest periods of her life, Tamra’s colleagues — whom she considers her second family — have been there to support her. In turn, this has inspired her love of philanthropy and passion for using her financial savvy to serve her community.

To celebrate Tamra’s 30-year work anniversary, we solicited questions for her to answer from some of the team members who know her best. Hear what she had to say!

Q: In your opinion, which aspects of philanthropy have changed the most over the past 30 years?

A: Three things feel like they’ve changed a lot during my career:

1. The increased sophistication of the philanthropy enterprise
When I began my career, philanthropy was deeply mission-driven, but far less structured. Over time, it has evolved into a highly professional, strategic discipline — one that relies on financial rigor, thoughtful governance, key performance metrics, analytics and increasingly complex gift vehicles to advance our mission in meaningful, measurable ways. Today, philanthropy operates with the same discipline and transparency expected of any complex enterprise — while still keeping heart at its center.

2. Philanthropy’s role in health system sustainability
Decades ago, philanthropy was often viewed as a nice-to-have. Today, it is integral. Donor generosity fuels innovation, expands access and helps strengthen hospital margins — especially in an increasingly competitive and financially challenging environment. The connection between philanthropy and EBITDA (or how profitable an organization is) used to be more subtle; today, it is more visible and mission critical.

3. Donor expectations and engagement
Our donors today expect partnership, transparency and impact they can see. They want to invest in purpose, not to simply make a contribution. We have shifted increasingly from transactional fundraising to long-term relationship building — an evolution that has elevated both our stewardship and our mission.

Q: What is one of your proudest career moments?

A: One of my proudest achievements has been helping design and steward the financial framework that supports our many fundraising entities across CommonSpirit. Creating a system where donor dollars flow directly to mission — while ensuring consistency, accountability and long-term sustainability — has been a thoughtful evolution over time.

It wasn’t a single moment, but rather years of collaboration, policy development and shared leadership. Seeing the impact of that work across communities, ministries and caregivers has been deeply meaningful and remains a source of pride.

Q: What is your “why” for working in health care philanthropy? What keeps you inspired?

A: My “why” is closely tied to my experience here. When I first joined 30 years ago, my husband, Michael, was terminally ill with cancer and under hospice care. I was met with extraordinary compassion.

Due to the nature of my work, I was encouraged to work from home long before remote work was common, and I was given grace during a period that required resilience and balance. Michael ultimately recovered, changed careers and went on to serve as an RN in two of our hospitals. He later passed away during COVID; and once again, the kindness of this organization was there in abundance.

These experiences, and the countless experiences of others, are why I believe so deeply in our mission — and why this work continues to matter to me. Hello humankindness is not just a tagline. I have lived it, relied on it and witnessed it in action for three decades, and it continues to inspire me every day.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2026?

A: Professionally, I look forward to continuing to strengthen the financial, administrative and governance frameworks that allow philanthropy across CommonSpirit to thrive with clarity, consistency and confidence. This is a moment where disciplined stewardship can truly unlock mission impact, and I am excited to help shape that future.

Personally, I am looking forward to restoring my home in Southern California after last January’s Palisades Fire. While my home survived, the experience of displacement, remediation and recovery has reminded me how closely loss and resilience are intertwined — and how essential it is to have people and institutions that show up with compassion and stability when life takes an unexpected turn. That perspective has deepened my connection to our mission and the work we do every day.

Q: What are you most hopeful about as you look ahead — both for CommonSpirit Health and for the people we serve?

A: What gives me the most hope is that, even in an increasingly complex world, this organization continues to lead with compassion, integrity and a deep respect for human dignity. Our mission isn’t just aspirational; it’s reflected in how we care for patients, support communities and treat one another.

I’m hopeful because I see thoughtful leaders who are driven by our values, and caregivers who remain committed to doing the right thing — even when it isn’t easy. I’m also hopeful because philanthropy here is grounded in trust and focused on creating lasting impact for those who need it most.

More than anything, I’m hopeful that we never lose sight of the person behind every decision, every gift and every number. If we stay anchored in that truth, I believe we will continue to make a meaningful difference for generations to come.

Thank you, Tamra, for your remarkable 30 years of service to CommonSpirit Health!

 

 

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