April 2026

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YRMC Foundation Board Member Recognized Nationally For Positive Impact On Prescott Community

 

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (March 30, 2026) – Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Foundation board member Bill Sonsin is the 2026 recipient for CommonSpirit Health’s Foundation Board Director of the Year.

 

Sonsin received the accolade during the “Phillie Awards”, a special ceremony during an annual event known as the Philanthropy Summit held by CommonSpirit Health, of which Dignity Health is a member. The event serves as a way to spotlight board members from the top-performing foundations within Commonspirit Health. Sonsin, who has been with YRMC’s Foundation since 2017, was chosen out of 1,500 board members from across the United States. 

 

"I am truly honored and touched to receive CommonSpirit Health’s Board Director of the Year award,” shares Bill Sonsin, Secretary and Treasurer of the YRMC Foundation Board. “My involvement with the YRMC Foundation has been a deeply fulfilling experience. I'm proud to have played a part in advancing our mission and will continue to dedicate my efforts to supporting the health and well-being of Prescott."

The Board Director of the Year Award is given to those who uphold their foundation’s mission to help those most in need by securing funding that will provide critical resources and address key issues within the community. As his colleagues will tell you, Sonsin meets the criteria in many ways.

"Bill's visionary leadership, profound expertise, and exceptional generosity have been invaluable to the YRMC Foundation, particularly during pivotal moments like the COVID-19 response when he was instrumental in opening Yavapai County’s first and only COVID-19 vaccination center,” says David Brennan, Chief Philanthropy Officer with YRMC Foundation. “This honor truly reflects his enduring impact on our organization for the nearly nine years he has served on our board. He embodies the spirit of dedicated service and strategic philanthropy that is so vital to our success."

 

Free options and resources for preparing and filing taxes in 2026

 

IR-2026-38, March 20, 2026

 

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who still need to file their 2025 federal tax returns that free options and resources are available on IRS.gov. Whether taxpayers prefer to prepare their own returns or need assistance, IRS.gov offers secure electronic filing options. E-filing remains the fastest and most secure way to file a tax return.

 

“IRS Free File demonstrates the IRS’s commitment to providing taxpayers an easy and secure way to prepare and file their federal tax return at no cost,” said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. “Free assistance and information is also available to taxpayers through other means as well, including VITA/TCE, MilTax, and IRS.gov.”

 

IRS Free File available on IRS.gov

Many taxpayers can prepare and file their federal tax returns for free using IRS Free File, available only through IRS.gov. The IRS Free File program is a public-private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a coalition of tax preparation software companies.

 

Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less can use guided tax preparation software at no cost.

 

Benefits of using IRS Free File guided tax software include:

  • Multiple products to choose from.
  • Step-by-step guidance through simple questions.
  • Accurate calculations.
  • Some providers offer free state tax preparation and filing.

Taxpayers must begin their return from the IRS Free File page on IRS.gov to ensure free access.

 

Those taxpayers who are comfortable preparing their own tax returns can use IRS Free File Fillable Forms regardless of income.

 

Free help with tax preparation

  • Free IRS resources

IRS.gov offers tools and information to help taxpayers file accurately and on time:

Helpful tips for taxpayers

More information

Yavapai College Associate Dean of Public Services and Associate Professor of EMS Alexander Lewis

City of Cottonwood Fire Captain and Paramedic Serving Higher Education

 

Prescott, Arizona — Since 2009, Alexander Lewis served with the City of Cottonwood Fire Department, advancing through various roles, from Volunteer Firefighter to full-time Firefighter, Engineer, and now Fire Captain/Paramedic. He attended and secured his associates degree in Paramedicine and completed the Fire Academy at Yavapai College in 2013. 

Lewis has worked at Yavapai College since 2018, where he’s taken on leadership positions including part-time EMS Clinical Coordinator and Lab Technician, full-time Associate Professor of EMS, Director of EMS, Associate Dean of Public Services, Interim Associate Dean of the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC), and, most recently, Interim Dean of the since January 2026.

“Throughout my career, I’ve developed expertise in both municipal public safety and higher education leadership,” Lewis said. “This dual experience allows me to bring a public-service perspective to my work at the College and a systems-focused leadership approach to my role in the fire service. The ongoing support from both the City of Cottonwood and Yavapai College has fostered a strong partnership, enabling me to serve the community effectively in both capacities and contribute positively to the success of the broader community.”

Lewis began his tenure at Yavapai College in 2018 as a part-time Clinical Coordinator and Lab Technician within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department. He was primary responsible for overseeing the Clinical and Field Experience rotations for the Paramedic and EMT programs, ensuring compliance with accreditation, programmatic, and national standards.

 

When the opportunity arose to transition to the role of Associate Professor of EMS, Lewis accepted, enabling him to leverage the knowledge, skills, and competencies he’d gained in the fire service.

 

“As an Associate Professor of EMS, I had the privilege of shaping the paramedic program's curriculum and instructional practices, contributing significantly to student success,” Lewis said. “I take great pride in the impact of my contributions, which notably enhanced the program and effectively prepared students for careers in the Paramedic profession. Subsequently, when a leadership opportunity presented itself, I embraced the challenge, particularly regarding the reaccreditation process.”

 

He successfully led a dedicated team through this process, culminating in the Paramedic Program's reaccreditation in January 2026. The program now thrives under new leadership and is well-positioned for continued success. Additionally, he’s served as the Associate Dean of Public Services for the past year and has also held the Interim Associate Dean position at the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) since September 2025. In his current role as Interim Dean of CTEC, he remains focused on sustaining the positive trajectory established at CTEC and within the Verde Skills Trades Teams before he assumed this leadership role.

 

Lewis said that the biggest challenge in his roles at Yavapai College was managing the paramedic program's reaccreditation, which had significant implications for students and the community. This involved detailed coordination among partners, ensuring that all program aspects met external standards while also addressing the everyday needs of students and faculty.

 

Ultimately, this challenge became his greatest success so far. Lewis said that achieving reaccreditation secured vital pathways for student advancement, upheld the program's credibility, and affirmed Yavapai College’s commitment to high-quality, industry-aligned education.


“My role contributes to the College's mission by strengthening technical education pathways that directly improve student achievement and foster regional economic development,” Lewis said. “By leading with a servant-oriented approach and managing the operational responsibilities essential for the smooth functioning of our programs, I play a crucial role in ensuring that CTEC provides high-impact, career-ready educational experiences. This, in turn, supports the mission of Yavapai College, its student body, and the communities we serve.”
 

 

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