Press Releases

Banner Health News Center

Press Releases

Get Fuel for Giving Life
GREELEY, Colo. (July 1, 2008) -- Donating blood this summer can last for miles with “Get Fuel for Giving Life.” Donate blood at the Blood Donor Center at North Colorado Medical Center or on one of their mobile blood drives through and Aug. 30, and you can register to win a $50 gasoline card from ConocoPhillips. Two winners will be drawn weekly.

FTC approves Sun Health merger
PHOENIX (June 30, 2008) -- The Federal Trade Commission approved the proposed transaction between Sun Health and Banner Health Friday.

Drive away a hero at Banner Thunderbird blood drive July 15
GLENDALE (June 28, 2008) –In partnership with United Blood Services, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center will be hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, July 15. Banner Thunderbird employees and community residents are invited to donate blood from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in conference rooms 1, 2 and 3, located at the east end, lower level of the hospital. Each individual who donates blood during the months of June, July and August will be automatically entered to win a new 2008 Saturn of his/her choice!

Houston couple welcome quintuplets at Banner Good Samaritan
PHOENIX (June 27, 2008) – July 4 is a day to celebrate the birth of a nation, but you can forgive Ellen and Stephen Howell for celebrating the birth of five little firecrackers a week early. The Houston couple welcomed their quintuplets to the world at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix.

Banner Thunderbird dog safety workshop for kids
GLENDALE (June 21, 2008) –Do your children know enough about dog safety to determine whether Rover’s bark is worse than his bite? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 800,000 Americans reported being bitten last year. Of these, 600,000 were children.

Banner Health partners with College Network
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (June 21, 2008) — Banner Health has joined forces with The College Network, Inc. to offer educational opportunities for nurses. Banner Health is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health care systems with more than 29,000 employees providing health care services in communities throughout seven western states.

McKee Volunteer wins award
LOVELAND, Colo. (June 20, 2008) -- Marie Stroyan, a volunteer for Stepping Stones Adult Day Program, which is operated by McKee Medical Center, recently was awarded the 2008 Volunteer of the Year for the Memories in the Making program. The award was presented by the Northern Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Banner Baywood offers tips to 'Beat the Heat'
MESA, Ariz. (June 16, 2008) – With excessive heat warnings and temperatures nearing 110 degrees, Banner Baywood Medical Center has issued suggestions for safely beating the heat.

Banner Thunderbird nurses go above and beyond
GLENDALE (June 14, 2008)- Congratulations to Critical Care Unit West RNs Stephanie Cralley, Sara Cutting and Barbara Reinhardt, Clinical Manager; and Critical Care Unit East RN, Carmen Lombardo, for attaining national certification by exam in adult critical care nursing (CCRN).

Banner Thunderbird Steps Up for Cancer Patients
GLENDALE (June 12, 2008) On Thursday, May 8, 2008, volunteers were invited to come out to the JCPenney Court at Arrowhead Mall to participate in the Step Out Step Up event to create over 500 wellness bags for local cancer patients at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center. Individuals who helped stuff these special bags included employees and volunteers of the Radiation Oncology department and Stroke Team.

Baywood OB presents Fatherhood 101
MESA, Ariz.. (June 12, 2008) – With Father’s Day just around the corner, Banner Baywood Medical Center (BBMC) has presented Fatherhood 101 for new dads…and current dads who might need a refresher course.

McKee wins Premier Quality Award
LOVELAND, Colo. (June 12, 2008) – A national healthcare organization that helps hospitals improve performance has recognized McKee Medical Center for efficiently providing outstanding patient care and setting standards in clinical excellence. McKee was one of 26 winners out of more than 3,800 considered for the awards.

Baywood surgical department adopts Mesa park
MESA, Ariz. (June 5, 2008) – The Perioperative Services Department at Banner Baywood Medical Center will be recognized at an event on Saturday for their work in sponsoring a City of Mesa park.

Hyperthermia: an old therapy gains new life at Banner Good Samaritan
PHOENIX (June 5, 2008) – The Radiation Oncology department at Banner Good Samaritan will soon be utilizing hyperthermia to treat superficial tumors, primarily chest wall tumors following mastectomy and certain lymph node tumors in head and neck cancers.

Frank N Stein newest Baywood patient
MESA, Ariz. (May 2008) - In order to feed a demand for better nursing education, the Banner Baywood campus has recently opened a miniature simulation lab, complete with high-tech mannequins named Frank Enstein and Charlie Brown.

Banner Thunderbird construction causes temporary parking lot closure
GLENDALE (June 2, 2008) – Beginning Thursday, June 5, 2008, Banner Thunderbird’s main entrance into the North parking lot will be closed for construction. The new main entrance will open on Monday, July 28.

Mobilizing Resources and Support at Banner Thunderbird
GLENDALE (June 3, 2008) – On Monday, June 23, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center’s Mandy Smith, RN, Banner Home Care; Patrice Al-Shatti, MSW, Hospice of the Valley; Barbara Erickson, cancer survivor; and Patti Jensen, ACSW, will be presenting “Mobilizing Resources and Support” as part of an educational series for Banner Thunderbird Medical Center’s “I Can Cope” program.

McKee scholarship winners
LOVELAND, Colo. (May 30, 2008) – McKee Medical Center awarded $22,000 in scholarships to area residents who plan to study for a career in health care. Seven people received the awards for 2008.

Twin robots improve Baywood care
MESA, Ariz. (May 30, 2008) – One surgeon works at Banner Baywood Medical Center and the other right next door at Banner Heart Hospital. The two are identical in almost every way. Both have skilled hands and keen eyesight. The only thing missing is a brain and a heart beat. Both surgeons are daVinci robots, performing robotic surgeries on everything from hearts to hysterectomies. The da Vinci Surgical System, which has been operating at Banner Heart Hospital since January 2006, is now accessible to patients at Banner Baywood Medical Center.

LSVT LOUD Treatment
MESA, Ariz (May 27, 2008) - It is estimated that 89 percent of people with Parkinson’s disease suffer from speech and other voice disorders. At Banner Baywood Medical Center, these patients are benefiting from a ‘LOUD’ therapy program designed to improve their communication.

Legacy Award at Banner Baywood Medical Center
MESA, Ariz. (May 28, 2008) -- Since 1984, Banner Baywood Medical Center has been building a legacy in the East Valley. In addition to a full range of clinical and specialty programs we are embarking on our 2010 vision of being Banner Health’s leader in innovative and comprehensive adult care.

New CFO at Banner Baywood
MESA, Ariz. (May 26, 2008) – The Banner Baywood Campus has named Sam Patterson the new Chief Financial Officer to serve both Banner Baywood Medical Center and Banner Heart Hospital .

Banner Baywood Memorial Day celebration
MESA, Ariz. (May 21, 2008) – With Memorial Day right around the corner, Banner Baywood Medical Center and Banner Heart Hospital will start the weekend right with a patriotic ceremony on Thursday, May 22.

Are rattlesnake bites becoming more dangerous?
PHOENIX (May 19, 2008) – Toxicologists with the Banner Poison Control Center have noted a disturbing trend with rattlesnake bites over the past few years, and took additional steps this week to warn emergency physicians and hospital emergency departments in Maricopa County and outlying Arizona hospitals.

Banner Thunderbird volunteers provide time and opportunities for others
GLENDALE (May 16, 2008) — Banner Thunderbird Medical Center’s Volunteer Services department reached an all time record for volunteer hours during the month of April. The medical center has been experiencing a steady increase in volunteers over the last year, culminating in over 4,000 hours—a first-time record.

Pediatric outdoor play area at Banner Thunderbird Childrens Center June 12
GLENDALE, Ariz. (May 14, 2008)—On June 12, 2008, Banner Thunderbird Children’s Center will celebrate its newest addition to the various specialty programs and services provided to pediatric patients—a pediatric outdoor play area.

Topping off ceremony at Banner Childrens
MESA, Ariz. (May 6, 2008) A “topping off” ceremony was held to mark placement of the final structural beams atop the seven-story pediatric patient tower being built to house Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center.

Banner Home Care gets state award
GILBERT, Ariz. (May 7, 2008) – Banner Home Care has been designated as an HHQI (Home Health Quality Initiative) Leader by the Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG). Banner Home Care’s Gold designation is one of just four awarded in the state of Arizona. In

Echo lab at Banner Thunderbird granted accreditation
GLENDALE (May 5, 2008) – Banner Thunderbird Medical Center’s Echocardiography Laboratory was granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL). Banner Thunderbird’s Echo laboratory is one of the first one thousand echocardiography laboratories in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to be so recognized for it’s commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing.

Banner Good Samaritan opens clinical trial to help with atrial fibrillation
PHOENIX (May 5, 2008) – A new procedure to relieve atrial fibrillation will begin clinical trials in Arizona at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center. The Cryo System Trial Of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (STOP AF) trial is being conducted at 28 hospitals across the United States and Canada. At Banner Good Samaritan the trial will be conducted by cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Wilber Su, medical director of the Atrial Fibrillation Center at the hospital's Cavanagh Cardiology Center.

Banner Thunderbird Childrens Center expands private room neonatal unit
GLENDALE, Ariz. (May 23, 2008) – On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Banner Thunderbird Children’s Center celebrated the grand opening of its private room neonatal unit, increasing the quality of care available to premature babies and their families.

Banner makes leadership changes in Colorado
PHOENIX (April 29, 2008) – Banner Health President and CEO Peter Fine announced today top executive changes at both North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) in Greeley, Colo., and McKee Medical Center in Loveland, Colo. NCMC’s CEO Gene O’Hara will leave his post Friday, May 2nd , and will become CEO of the developing medical campus of Banner Ironwood Medical Center in Arizona’s Pinal County. On May 5th, McKee Medical Center CEO Rick Sutton will leave that post for the CEO role at NCMC.

Simulation center at McKee
LOVELAND, Colo. (April 25, 2008) – A million-dollar, simulation and education center will give health care providers in Banner Health’s Western Region high-tech training not available elsewhere in the area.

Banner Thunderbird general health care job fair on May 9
GLENDALE, Ariz. (April 21, 2008) – On Friday, May 9, 2008, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center will be holding a job fair from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in conference rooms 2 and 3, which are located near the east end, lower level of the hospital.

Banner Alzheimers part of large federal grant
PHOENIX (April 21, 2008) — The National Institute on Aging has awarded a team of Arizona researchers with a five-year, $6.6 million grant to continue a landmark brain imaging study exploring the cognitive decline of healthy people at varying degrees of genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

McKee Volunteers Fashion Show
LOVELAND (April 22, 2008) – The second annual McKee Volunteers Fashion Show and Luncheon will be Saturday, May 3 at the McKee Conference and Wellness Center.

Banner Mesa Medical Center to be simulation education training center
PHOENIX, (April 18, 2008) – The Banner Health board of directors today approved the creation of a 202,000-square-foot office center on the campus of the former Banner Mesa Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona.

Health Fair sets new record
LOVELAND – More than 1,404 individuals had their blood drawn in preparation for the Loveland Community Health Fair setting a record for participation in the annual event. The Loveland Community Health Fair is April 26 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the McKee Conference and Wellness Center.

West Valley physicians now performing robotic hysterectomy
GLENDALE, ARIZ. (April. 16, 2008)— West Valley gynecologists Lisa Jaacks, MD, and Lee Koon, MD, have successfully completed training to perform a new, less invasive hysterectomy using the da Vinci Surgical System. The physicians, who practice at Desert West Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ltd., will be performing the procedures at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center.

Todd S. Werner named Banner Desert CEO
MESA (April 15, 2008) -- Todd S. Werner has been appointed CEO of Banner Desert Medical Center and will begin serving in his new post May 12. His responsibilities will include leadership of adult and pediatric patient care at Banner Desert and Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center.

McKee earns Banner Best award
LOVELAND (April 15, 2008) – The owners of McKee Medical Center recognized the Loveland hospital for leading the way in financial performance, patient satisfaction, clinical excellence and people and learning and named it Banner’s Best of the Best during Banner’s annual Leadership Conference in Phoenix on April 8.

Topping Out at Banner Thunderbird
GLENDALE, Ariz. (April 12, 2008) – The construction of Banner Thunderbird Medical Center’s 200-bed patient tower has been well underway since July 2007 and is nearing completion of its structural phase. On Monday, April 21, 2008, Banner Thunderbird employees are invited to sign the final piece of steel before it is put into place in the new South tower.

Cancer support group finds healing through laughter and helping others
GLENDALE, Ariz. (April 12, 2008) – For the members of Banner Thunderbird's Cancer Support Group, finding humor in their lives and through each other is essential. And, being able to help other people who have been diagnosed, are undergoing treatment and/or are dealing with the disease in a friend or family member is part of the group’s mission.

Employee Wellness programs recognized
LOVELAND, Colo. (April 11, 2008) - Employee Wellness programs at McKee Medical Center and North Colorado Medical Center win Gold Awards from the Wellness Councils of America.

Banner Estrella Medical Center names new Chief Nursing Officer
PHOENIX (March 24, 2008) – Karin Toci, RN, has accepted the position of chief nursing officer (CNO) at Banner Estrella Medical Center. Toci, who has served as director of Quality Management at Banner Estrella since March 2007, has served as interim CNO since Jan. 1, when former CNO Diane Drexler resigned to pursue other opportunities. Banner Estrella has immediately begun the search for a new Quality Management director.

New physician liaison
Loveland, Colo. (April 11, 2008) McKee Medical Center has introduced the position of facility physician resources consultant. Traci Oddy started working at McKee in that role April 7.

NCMC Inc files medical campus development plan
GREELEY, Colo. (April 11, 2008) — NCMC, Inc., the Board of Directors for North Colorado Medical Center, has contracted with the Frederick Development Group to purchase 50 acres of land near the intersection of I25 and SH-52 in Frederick in southern Weld County for development as a medical campus. Closing on the land purchase is anticipated by mid-summer 2008.

Banner Childrens Hosptial increases Arizonas neonatal capacity
MESA (April 9, 2008) – Arizona’s tiniest and sickest patients now have more room to receive the complex medical care they need to grow and develop into healthy children and adults. Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center is expanding its Neonatal IntensiveCare Unit to 104 beds as part of a larger $350 million expansion that will drastically improve thelevel of women’s and pediatrics services at the medical campus in Mesa.

Banner Estrella launches new surgery program
PHOENIX (April 8, 2008) – An innovative new program at Banner Estrella Medical Center helps surgical patients feel less anxious before surgery, feel less pain during surgery and heal faster after surgery.

Stroke check
PHOENIX (April 9, 2008) – Every 45 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. Every three minutes, someone dies of one. The best way to prevent a stroke is to know and understand your risk factors and make healthy lifestyle changes.

Banner partners to offer cancer navigators
MESA (April 2, 2008) – Phoenix cancer patients now have a new ally in their fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society launched its Patient Navigator Program at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, thanks to support received from AstraZeneca.

McKee Healthcare Decisions Day
LOVELAND, Colo. (March 31, 2008) -- McKee Medical Center is joining a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making – an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16, 2008, as National Healthcare Decisions Day.

Access to outdoors is good medicine for hospitalized children
GLENDALE, Ariz. (March 31, 2008) – By the beginning of the summer, Banner Thunderbird Children’s Center will have a new addition to the various specialty programs and services provided to pediatric patients—a pediatric outdoor play area.

Banner Estrella Medical Center launches new program designed to improve patients’ surgical experience and speed up recovery time
PHOENIX (March 28, 2008) – Banner Estrella Medical Center launches new program designed to improve patients’ surgical experience and speed up recovery time.

Banner Estrella Medical Center offers free stroke risk assessment and lecture series
PHOENIX (March 27, 2008) – Banner Estrella will offer a free stroke risk assessment on Saturday, May 24, at Banner Estrella Medical Center, 9201 W. Thomas Road. The assessment includes a blood pressure check, cholesterol screening, glucose assessment, electrocardiogram and Carotid Doppler studies. The test results will be reviewed by a physician prior to the end of the assessment, followed by a consultation with a nurse or physician. To register, call (602) 230-CARE (2273).

Stopping crystal meth will take community effort
PHOENIX (March 19, 2008) – Arizona has a growing methamphetamine problem and it’s going to take widespread community involvement to stop it, say Banner Health behavioral health experts who participated in a groundbreaking documentary on the subject.

New hip replacement surgery
PHOENIX (March 10, 2008) – Patients suffering from hip pain now have a new opportunity to get their independence back.

Banner Health fields largest Heart Walk team
PHOENIX (March 6, 2008) -- Nearly 1,900 Banner Health employees, their family members and friends participated in the American Heart Association’s annual 2008 Start! Phoenix Heart Walk.

New Chief of Staff and Vice Chief at Banner Thunderbird
In February, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center’s Medical Staff Services held an election for the general medical staff. Cecil Michael, MD, has been elected chief of staff and Trina Bogart, MD, vice chief of staff.

McKee Thrift Avenue
McKee Thrift Avenue opens at temporary location

Partnership to expand clinical trials
(PHOENIX, March 4, 2008) Banner Health and Premiere Oncology of Arizona announced today the establishment of a new collaboration to promote the expansion of cancer clinical research in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.

Courtney Ophaug named new associate administrator at Banner Thunderbird
GLENDALE (March 3, 2008) Banner Thunderbird Medical Center congratulates Courtney Ophaug in her promotion to associate administrator for Banner Thunderbird Medical Center.

Banner Health to START at the heart of the matter
PHOENIX (Feb. 20, 2008) - As a presenting sponsor for the American Heart Association’s 2008 Phoenix Heart Walk & one-mile Stroke Walk, Banner Health has set an organizational fundraising goal of $100,000 and 2,000 participants. In 2007, Banner Health received the Corporate Pride award for the team with the most walkers (over 1,500) and the Corporate Excellence award for the most dollars raised (more than $96,000).

Loveland health fair
The 2008 Loveland Community Health Fair will be 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 in the McKee Conference and Wellness Center at 2000 Boise Ave., Loveland.

Banner Thunderbird welcomes new director of patient financial services
Glendale, Ariz.— (Feb.18, 2008) – Banner Thunderbird welcomes Jeni Erikson to her new position of Director of Patient Financial Services.

Heart healthy recipes
PHOENIX (Feb. 6, 2008) – Everyday, they come up with thousands of meals designed to help sick patients get better and now chefs at Banner Health hospitals have whipped up some delicious recipes to help keep everyone healthy

Four Banner Hosptials to help enroll kids into insurance program
PHOENIX (Feb. 5, 2008) – Do your kids have health insurance? If not, they may be eligible for participation in Arizona’s children’s health insurance program called KidsCare. Banner Health, the state's largest nonprofit hospital system, is partnering with other Arizona hospitals to help parents enroll their children in the state program that is administered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).

Banner Thunderbird welcomes new director of perioperative services
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jan. 29, 2008 – On Mon. Jan. 28, Deborah Roberts began her career at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center as director of perioperative services.

Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center to launch new molecular imaging program
PHOENIX (Jan. 21, 2008) — Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center is developing a new radiopharmaceutical production facility that will serve as the foundation for expanding clinical and research imaging in cancer, heart disease, and neurology. The cornerstone of this molecular imaging program is the nearly $2 million investment of a new cyclotron that will produce positron emission tomography (PET) imaging tracers. The cyclotron will enhance the ability of physicians to do research, and to diagnose and treat disease.

Banner Thunderbird and Glendale Fire partner to save more lives
(GLENDALE, Ariz.--Jan. 21, 2008) If you are in an ambulance with Glendale Fire Department paramedics, your EKG will be immediately faxed from the ambulance to Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, thanks to new Blue Tooth technology where a fax line is installed from the ambulance to the ED Department. An ED nurse will receive your EKG from the ambulance to start a “chest pain rapid response” and the cardiac response team will be initiated—before you even arrive at the ED.

Get Wired for Success and discover how infants and toddlers learn at Banner Thunderbird
GLENDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 16, 2008) — New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development is presenting the latest information and techniques to “wire up” your young child’s brain for a successful future in a FREE four-hour workshop. S*CCEEDS (Statewide Child Care and Early Education Development System) credit is available.

Banner Childrens receives $600,000 in donations
PHOENIX ( Jan. 14, 2008) – Banner Health Foundation announced today that three local corporations have committed significant funding to the Through the Eyes of a Child Capital Campaign, to support the expansion of Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa. The contributions, totaling $600,000, will be invested in the seven-story children’s hospital tower being constructed on the campus of Banner Desert.

Banner adds pediatric pulmonology to West Valley
GLENDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 9, 2008) Alan Adler, MD, a pediatric pulmonologist, has joined Banner Children’s Medical Group at Banner Thunderbird Children’s Center. Dr. Adler will be seeing patients at the group’s clinic, located at 5757 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale.

Banner Estrella growing
PHOENIX (Jan. 9, 2008) – Banner Estrella Medical Center is opening a sixth patient floor to meet the growing health care needs of the community. The $13.8 million expansion project adds 36 beds – 12 dedicated to obstetrics patients and 24 to orthopedics and medical and surgical patients. This brings the total hospital bed count from 172 to 208. An eight-bed well baby nursery is also being added.

Banner Thunderbird names new chief medical officer
GLENDALE, Az. (Jan. 8, 2008) Kathryn M. Perkins, MD, FACEP, a 21-year member of Banner Thunderbird Medical Center’s Emergency Department medical staff, has accepted the position of Chief Medical Officer most recently held by Ted Laughlin, MD. Dr. Perkins has also been the hospital’s Chief of Staff since 2006.

Baby boom at Estrella
PHOENIX (Jan. 7, 2008) – Banner Estrella Medical Center delivered a record number of babies in 2007 and to meet the demand will add a second nursery, four more labor and delivery rooms, and eight more postpartum beds. Additionally, the hospital will be launching a teen parent education program.