The Valley Fever Center at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix and Banner – University Medical Center Tucson serves as a unique resource to greater Tucson and Phoenix areas, as well all of Arizona and the Southwestern United States where the disease is most prevalent.
Coccidioidomycosis, informally known as Valley fever, is caused when you’re exposed to the fungal spores that cause this disease. But no matter what Valley fever is referred to as, its range of symptoms need high-quality care. That’s what we offer with our highly collaborative and advanced Valley fever treatment center. Under Banner Health’s academic medicine system, we’re trying to end this disease.
The Valley Fever Center at Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix and Banner - University Medical Center Tucson was established as a collaboration between Banner Health and the University of Arizona to improve the care of patients with Coccidioidomycosis, the fungal respiratory disease more commonly known as Valley fever, San Jaoquin Valley Fever, or desert rheumatism.
In 1996, the Arizona Board of Regents accepted Valley Fever Center Director Dr. John Galgiani's proposal to establish the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona.
The Valley Fever Center for Excellence and the Valley Fever Center at Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix have the same mission. Our experts pledge to spread information about Valley fever while helping patients with severe complications of this disease and to encourage research into the biology and diseases of the origin of Valley fever.
The Center also maintains a website and answers inquiries from health care professionals located in Arizona, other parts of the United States, and even from other countries. Since Arizona has the only medical schools situated directly within the endemic region for Valley Fever, it is quite appropriate that Arizona lead in solving this problem
The Valley Fever Corridor Project, begun in 2009, intends to facilitate communication among Arizona clinicians to also improve patient care. Research is increasing into the environmental biology of the fungus within its desert soil habitat as well as how the fungus causes disease and the body's immunity controls it.
By researching its effects throughout the state of Arizona (where it is most prevalent), the Valley Fever Center is making headway in treating this disease as we work toward discovering a vaccine and cure.
Center Leadership:
John Galgiani, MD - Center Director
For comprehensive information on Valley fever, please see this - FAQ from the Valley Fever Center for Excellence.
The University of Arizona, in coordination with Banner - University Medicine, conducts a variety of research studies and clinical trials to support a commitment to improving patient care. As a patient at Banner - University Medical Center, you may be eligible to participate, meaning you'll have access to new treatments which may not yet be available to the public.
Please see the following useful resources for more information on preventing Valley fever, including recognizing its symptoms and more:
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