She is being honored with a Make-A-Wish Arizona Pediatric Partner Award, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to ensuring children with critical illnesses experience the life-changing impact of a wish. 

Dr. Hu is a pediatrician at Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, where she provides comprehensive care to children from birth through adolescence. In a close-knit community where families, providers, and patients often know one another beyond the clinic, Dr. Hu’s approach to medicine has always been deeply personal.  

“We don’t just treat diagnoses here,” she shared. “We know the families. We know their lives. And we want their children to have every opportunity possible.” Dr. Hu remains involved in her community as a Girl Scout leader, coach, and mentor, staying connected to the children and families she serves. 

Dr. Hu first learned about Make-A-Wish during her medical training, but her connection to the organization deepened through her work on the Navajo Nation. She has referred many children for wishes, motivated by the transformation she sees before, during, and after a wish has been granted. “I see kids light up when they start planning their wish,” she said. “I’ve seen families come back with photos and stories and a joy they hadn’t felt in a long time. Why wouldn’t you want to be part of that?”

While they are not a replacement for treatment, she has seen firsthand how a wish can strengthen trust between families and care teams and even help children re-engage with their care. “It’s not medication and it’s not a procedure,” she said. “But it heals emotionally. It reminds kids they can still have fun, dream big, and be children—even with a critical illness.” 

She is also passionate about educating fellow medical professionals that Make-A-Wish is not limited to terminal diagnoses. “That misconception keeps kids from being referred,” she explained. “If a child has a critical illness that impacts their life, they may qualify, and referring a child takes very little time. The impact, though, is immeasurable.” 

As Dr. Hu prepares for retirement, she is focused on passing that mindset forward by encouraging colleagues across Arizona, especially in rural and Tribal communities, to see Make-A-Wish as an essential part of pediatric care. “It’s a privilege to serve these families,” she said. “If making a referral for a wish can make a child’s life better, that’s an easy choice.” 

Reflecting on what it means to be selected as a Pediatric Partner Award recipient, Dr. Hu shared, “I am very honored. It is my privilege to serve these families. How often do you get the chance to be a Fairy God-person for someone and bring that kind of joy into their life?” 

Dr. Hu’s story is a powerful reminder that every referral is the essential first step in granting a life-changing wish.