Baron, Puntney, Harper named finalists for Health Care Heroes
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Robert Baron, MD, and Anita Puntney, RN, from Banner Good Samaritan were named finalists as was Oliver Harper, MD, of Banner Arizona Medical Clinic.
Dr. Baron, who also serves as a medical advisor at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell), was nominated for his work in promoting awareness of carbon monoxide dangers while boating. After a series of unexplained drownings at Lake Powell, Dr. Baron and his team at Lake Powell found a link between carbon monoxide from houseboat generators and the drownings. Their research led to changes in exhaust designs on houseboats.
He has also become a champion for consumer awareness, explaining the carbon-monoxide-related dangers of other boating activities such as wake surfing. Currently, Dr. Baron is advocating the use of simple carbon monoxide detectors on boats.
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For nine years, Puntney spends two weeks a year volunteering her time on a medical mission to Santa Lucia, Honduras. However, she spends the entire year collecting items for her trip – from donated prescription drugs to blood pressure cuffs. On the mission, Puntney educates patients on the importance of hand washing. She explains to villagers how to avoid viruses by encouraging children not to play in the same area as pigs or chickens. She comes up with creative ways to treat injuries, such as making a cast for a broken arm out of mud and duct tape. She performs exams and delivers babies.
Oliver Harper, MD and co-founder, Banner Arizona Medical Clinic, was also named a finalist in the Physician category
Dr. Harper, a Family Practice specialist, has a long history with Banner Health. He completed his residency at Banner Good Samaritan, and joined Banner Arizona Medical Clinic in 1974. He has served on the boards of Boswell Hospital, Sun Health Corp. and the Maricopa County Medical Society.
He has also served as a volunteer physician in Kenya, East Africa and presently does volunteer service at the St. Vincent De Paul Clinic in Phoenix.
Finalists were nominated in 10 categories - Community Outreach, Dental, Education, First Responder, Lifetime Achievement, Nurse, Nurse Leader, Physician; Researcher/Innovator, Service Philanthropy, Volunteer. The Phoenix Business Journal will host a breakfast to honor the finalists and winners of the 2008 Health Care Heroes awards on Thursday, Aug. 21.
Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center has been providing medical care to Arizona and the Southwest since 1911. Banner Good Samaritan is owned and operated by Phoenix-based Banner Health, a not-for-profit organization, and is a flagship hospital within the system. The hospital was recently named to U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals” list for Gynecology, Heart and Heart Surgery, Kidney Disease and Urology. Banner Good Samaritan has also been recognized as a Magnet facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the highest honor a hospital can earn for its nursing care and practices.
Banner Arizona Medical Clinic is a West Valley multi-specialty clinic of more than 80 physicians and 15 mid-level health care providers. It has two main campuses with other satellite facilities with two surgery centers, an eye clinic, pain clinic, and same-day care clinics as well as comprehensive imaging services.
Contact:
Banner Good Samaritan Public Relations
(602) 239-4411
