Press Releases

Health Fair screenings start Feb. 27
LOVELAND, Colo. (Feb. 7, 2012) – Registration for blood screenings and memory screenings through the 2012 Loveland Community Health Fair begins Feb. 27.

McKee Medical Center invites Loveland to talk about digestive difficulties
LOVELAND, Colo. (Feb. 3, 2012) – McKee Medical Center Spirit of Women is hosting an event called All Right Now: Solving Digestive Disorders to discuss the hidden burden of gastrointestinal disorders.

Subaru of Loveland donates Subaru Outback 2-year lease to raise funds for Stepping Stones Program at McKee
LOVELAND, Colo. (Feb. 3, 2012) --- Subaru of Loveland, a division of Davidson-Gebhardt Auto Group, has donated a two-year lease on a 2012 Subaru Outback to raise funds for the Stepping Stones Adult Day Program. Subaru of Loveland has been a long-time partner with the McKee Medical Center Foundation as a sponsor of the Community Classic Bike Tour and the McKee Presents Gala.

D'Angelo named CEO of Banner Churchill
FALLON, Nev. (Feb. 2, 2012) – Jim Ferando, Western Region president for Banner Health, has named John D’Angelo as chief executive officer for Banner Churchill Community Hospital effective March 5.

Community invited to Banner Health Clinic, Ft. Morgan Open House
BRUSH, Colo. (Feb. 2, 2012) – You are invited to visit Fort Morgan’s newest family practice clinic during a community open house on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. The free event, being held at Banner Health Clinic, 909 E. Railroad Ave., will feature tours of the facility, opportunities to visit with the clinic’s two health providers and other staff, refreshments, and more. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m.

Nenaber named COO of Banner Medical Group
PHOENIX (Jan. 31, 2012) -- Pam Nenaber, chief executive officer at Banner Gateway Medical Center and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, has been appointed as the new chief operating officer of Banner Medical Group, effective March 5.

Dementia: Memories Stolen, Feb. Lobby Lecture topic
BRUSH, Colo., (Jan. 30, 2012) – The East Morgan County Hospital hospitalist, Charles Kopell, MD and Pat Samples, chief nursing officer, invite area residents to join them Feb. 16 for the next Lobby Lecture Series topic: Dementia: Memories Stolen.

Quads born at Desert Sam
MESA, Ariz. (Jan. 27, 2012) – Can you predict babies’ personalities and behavior before they are born? If so, we think the Tyk quads, born to Senika and Christopher Tyk of Chandler on Thursday at Banner Desert Medical Center, are destined to be really good kids.

HealthGrades study recognizes clinical excellence at McKee, NCMC
GREELEY, Colo. (Jan. 26, 2012) – McKee Medical Center in Loveland and North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley announced today that HealthGrades, the nation’s most trusted source of health care provider information, has named each a 2012 Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence™. This prestigious distinction places McKee and NCMC among the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide for clinical performance. This is the fourth consecutive year NCMC has been named for this distinction and the second consecutive year for McKee.

Aspirin a Day Could Do More Harm Than Good
PHOENIX (Jan.26, 2012) – One out of every five adults over 18, and almost half of those over age 65, take a daily aspirin in the hope of preventing heart attacks and strokes, even though many have never experienced either condition. However, a new study shows that there may be a higher risk for internal bleeding with a daily dose of aspirin.

Banner Arizona Medical Clinic practices renamed as Banner Health Centers
PHOENIX (Jan. 26, 2012) – Banner Arizona Medical Clinic practices will be renamed Banner Health Centers, with four locations in Peoria, Sun City and Sun City West, on February 1 as part of Banner’s strategic growth in ambulatory care.

NCMC to extend ED services to Summit View campus
GREELEY, Colo. (Jan. 24, 2012) — Banner Health has begun efforts to develop Summit View Medical Commons into a larger health center that will provide broader services, anchored by an extension of the North Colorado Medical Center’s Emergency Center. This Emergency Department service will be staffed by certified emergency physicians from the same group that provides emergency physician care and management at NCMC. The NCMC ED service at Summit View is anticipated to be available this summer for west Greeley, Windsor and other residents.

Brush Family Medicine recognized National Medical Group Practice Week
BRUSH, Colo. (Jan. 23, 2012) – National Medical Group Practice Week, January 23 – 27, is intended to advance public and industry awareness of the key benefits that group practices provide to patients, communities and physicians and to recognize the professionals who lead and manage these organizations. Brush Family Medicine wishes to salute our hardworking staff that provides patients with exceptional care on a daily basis.

Banner Health in stage six of electronic medical records implementation
PHOENIX (Jan. 19, 2012) -- Sixteen Banner Health facilities have been acknowledged by HIMSS Analytics, a wholly owned nonprofit subsidiary of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, for achieving Stage 6 of electronic medical records (EMR) adoption.

Banner Good Samaritan Provides Optimum Care for the Southwest Region's Worst Injuries
PHOENIX (Jan. 18, 2012) – If you have a severe injurt, fast access to specialized resources and equipment is critical. Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center’s trauma team is available 24 hours a day, and has just been re-verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons, providing the highest level of trauma care available.

McKee Medical Center welcomes new outpatient registered dietitian
LOVELAND, Colo. (Jan. 18, 2012) – McKee Medical Center announces the hiring of a new registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator who will provide care for outpatients.

Banner Health top five health system in U S
PHOENIX (Jan. 16, 2011) – Banner Health has been named as one of the Top Five Large Health Systems in the country based on clinical performance, according to Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of health care

Time and Treatment Prove Vital for Stroke Patients at Banner Good Samaritan
PHOENIX (Jan.13, 2012) – Two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke. That’s why it is critical to obtain care as soon as possible – and Banner Good Samaritan has proven itself as one of the best hospitals to go when you or someone you know has a stroke. The hospital has been re-accredited as a Primary Stroke Center with certification by the Joint Commission, an organization that accredits and certifies more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.

New human resource leader joins North Colorado Medical Center
GREELEY, Colo. (Jan. 13, 2012) — North Colorado Medical Center welcomes Jeanie K. Gallagher as the chief human resource officer for the hospital. She began her new position Jan. 9.

Banner Neuro Wellness Grand Opening
PHOENIX (Jan. 11, 2012) – People with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders often find themselves struggling or unable to perform activities that others can do with ease—but now that is changing with the opening of the Banner Neuro Wellness.

Blood supply critically low in NE Colorado
BRUSH, Colo. (Jan. 11, 2012) – There is a critical need for blood in northeastern Colorado. Anyone can be a donor. O- and O+ type blood are in demand with no supply available, all blood types are also needed.

Neonatal nurse joins committee to improve neonatal care
GREELEY, Colo. (Jan. 3, 2012) — Linda McCarney, a board certified neonatal nurse practitioner, has been named to a committee charged with overseeing educational programs to improve the care and resuscitation of newborns.

McKee Medical Center introduces Spirit of Women program
LOVELAND, Colo. (Jan. 4, 2012) – McKee Medical Center is proud to announce a partnership with Spirit of Women®, a movement of women, hospitals and health care providers across the country that help make good health less about denying yourself things and more about treating yourself to great experiences and easy-to-use health news.

Women Heart Center
MESA, Ariz. (Jan. 5, 2012) -- Banner Heart Hospital will expand its Women’s Heart Center in February to a full-service center on the first floor of the facility, located at 6750 E. Baywood Ave.

Banner Boswell’s Aphasia Support Group begins in January
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Dec. 28, 2011) – A new support group at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City aims to offer hope to people living with aphasia, which is often the inability to express words and sometimes the inability to comprehend words, usually resulting from stroke or other forms of brain injury.

Skyline Imaging expands hours to serve more patients
LOVELAND, Colo. (Dec. 22, 2011) — To enhance medical imaging outpatient services and offer lower prices, McKee Medical Center will schedule most outpatient medical imaging appointments at Skyline Imaging beginning Jan. 2.

Banner Ironwood expands
SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. (Dec. 22, 2011) - Banner Ironwood Medical Center will open its fourth floor Jan. 4 to serve more patients in the Valley.

Banner Churchill Medical Imaging department recognized
FALLON, Nev. (Dec. 22, 2011) – In November, Banner Churchill Community Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging department was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology as a recognized clinical education setting for the radiography program sponsored by Great Basin College.

Horizon Laboratory becomes preferred provider to serve major insurances
LOVELAND, Colo. (Dec. 22, 2011) – Horizon Laboratory is excited to announce that effective Jan. 1, 2012, the facility will be a preferred provider of laboratory services to United Healthcare, PacifiCare and Secure Horizons patients.

Banner Boswell Medical Center to host Joint Club open house Jan. 16
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Dec. 21, 2011) – For some people living with chronic joint pain, the New Year may be the perfect time to find out more about joint replacement. If you’re considering joint replacement surgery, Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City invites you to a free open house of the Joint Club at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16.

Banner Health welcomes new pediatrician to Greeley
GREELEY, Colo. (Dec. 20, 2011) – Banner Health welcomes a new pediatrician to the Banner Health Clinic–Pediatrics in Greeley.

Study reveals the four drugs that most often land seniors in the emergency room
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Dec. 20, 2011) – Two-thirds of emergency hospitalizations for adverse drug events among seniors are attributable to four commonly prescribed medications, according to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Banner Health Network to participate as Medicare Pioneer Accountable Care Organization
PHOENIX (Dec. 19, 2011) -- The Banner Health Network (BHN) today announced that it has been selected to participate in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model, a transformative new initiative sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center. Through the Pioneer ACO Model, BHN will work with CMS to provide Medicare beneficiaries with higher quality care, while reducing growth in Medicare expenditures through enhanced care coordination.

Banner Health named as one of Phoenixs best places to work
PHOENIX (Dec. 13, 2011) – Banner Health, one of the state’s largest employers, has been named as one of the state’s best.

Body Shoppe can help with your New Year’s resolutions
GREELEY, Colo, (Dec. 13, 2011) — Get in shape this New Year and develop healthy habits to last a lifetime in Body Shoppe, a 12-week lifestyle change program sponsored by the Cardiac Rehab Program of North Colorado Medical Center.

New program at East Valley
SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. (Dec. 12, 2011) – Three East Valley Banner Health hospitals are testing a new program that allows patients with behavioral health issues in hospital Emergency departments to “see” a psychiatrist via a secured video link.

Banner Health announces new clinic in Fort Morgan
BRUSH, Colo. (Dec. 12, 2011) – Banner Health and East Morgan County Hospital (EMCH) are pleased to announce the addition of a family practice and specialty clinic in Fort Morgan. Banner Health Clinic, Fort Morgan will be located at 909 E. Railroad Avenue. The clinic will have two new family practice providers, Lila Ann Statz, MD and Nancy Samples, FNP who will see patients beginning in March 2012.

Kaiser Permanente and Banner Health agreement to bring health care to Fort Collins, Loveland areas
Kaiser Permanente Colorado, the state’s largest non-profit health plan, today announced plans to offer health care services for the first time in Northern Colorado by late 2012. The health plan has filed for approval with the state Division of Insurance, to expand into Northern Colorado with new Kaiser Permanente medical offices in Loveland, Fort Collins and Greeley, a contracted network of community providers, and an exclusive hospital agreement with Banner Health hospitals and physicians.

Banner Good Samaritan Kidney Transplant Center Named Top in the United States
PHOENIX (Dec. 9, 2011) – The National Institutes for Health funded a study by a web-based service, called Konnectology which has identified the top 10 kidney transplant centers in the United States, and at the top of their list is Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center.

Taking Precautions Around the Home Can Keep Your Holidays Jolly
PHOENIX (Dec. 9, 2011) – The holiday season typically is a time for fun and creating happy family memories. It can also bring the potential for accidental poisonings. The Banner Poison and Drug Information Center offers some advice to keep the kids and pets safe during the festivities.

Annual McKee Community Health Award to be presented at McKee Thanks event
LOVELAND, Colo. (Dec. 9, 2011) --- Formerly known as the Thank You Loveland Luncheon, McKee Thanks will continue in the same tradition of recognizing and thanking the Loveland community for its support of McKee Medical Center with a lunch event. McKee Thanks will take place Thursday, March 8 at 11:30 a.m. at the McKee Conference and Wellness Center.

Hospital employees receive AK Nurse of the Year Awards
FAIRBANKS, Alaska. (Dec. 8, 2011) – Five Fairbanks Memorial Hospital/Denali Center (FMH/DC) employees received the Alaska March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards on Friday, Nov.18 at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage. Of the 120 nominees of the prestigious statewide award, twenty-seven were FMH/DC employees. The winners from FMH/DC were Hannah Brice-Smith, RN, for Community Case Management Care Coordinator, Gena Edmiston, RN and Chief Nursing Officer at FMH/DC, for Administration, Eugenia “Genie” Erickson, LPN, for LPN, Heather Cunningham, RN, for Rising Star, and Leilani Sauer for Friend of Nursing.

Financial Officer
MESA, Ariz. (Dec. 8, 2011) – Banner Health recently hired Stanley Adams as chief financial officer for Banner Baywood Medical Center and Banner Heart Hospital.

Windsor’s Banner physicians promote reading with health
GREELEY, Colo. (Dec. 7, 2011) — Children who see Dr. Jonathan Kary or Dr. Trina Kessinger at the Medical Arts Centre of Windsor are receiving a good book along with a good checkup from the clinic.

Banner Lassen Medical Center Welcomes New Hospitalist
SUSANVILLE, Calif. (Dec. 6, 2011) -- Michael Azarkh, MD has joined Banner Lassen Medical Center’s Hospitalists group. He comes to Lassen County from Redondo Beach, Calif. Azarkh is a Russian Native and speaks fluent Russian.

December Cooking Class at Banner Olive Branch Senior Center
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Dec. 6, 2011) – Banner Olive Branch Senior Center will host its monthly cooking class on Monday Dec. 19 at 1 p.m.

Candle lighting vigil to be held for children who have died
LOVELAND, Colo. (Dec. 1, 2011) --- The Worldwide Candle Lighting Vigil to remember and honor the memory of beloved children who have died will be held Sunday, December 11 at the McKee Conference & Wellness Center at 6:30 p.m.

Shelby Nelson named Platte County CEO
WHEATLAND, Wyo. (Nov. 29, 2011) -- Jim Ferando, president of Banner Health’s Western Region, has announced that Shelby Nelson has been named to the permanent role of chief executive officer for Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland, Wyo.

New obstetrician/gynecologist joins Loveland clinic
LOVELAND, Colo. (Nov. 29, 2011) — Banner Health is pleased to welcome Jonathan Franco, MD, to OB/GYN Associates of Loveland.

Cherie Martin named CEO for Banner Behavioral Health Hospital
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Nov. 29, 2011) – Monique “Cherie” Martin, RN, BSN, MSN, MHA, FACHE, has accepted the position of chief executive officer at the Banner Behavioral Health Hospital effective Jan. 1, 2012. She replaces Pat Little-Upah, who is retiring in December after 30 years of service.

J.P. Valin, MD, named Chief Medical Officer for Banner Medical Group - Western Region
PHOENIX (Nov. 29, 2011) - J.P. Valin, MD, has accepted the position of chief medical officer for Banner Medical Group – Western Region. Dr. Valin will join the Banner Medical Group leadership team on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. His office will be located at Banner Corporate Center in Greeley, Colo.

NCMC Spirit of Women receives national recognition
GREELEY, Colo. (Nov. 23, 2011) — North Colorado Medical Center has announced that Spirit of Women Health Network has selected the Greeley hospital as a Spirit of Women Premier Hospital.

McKee Medical Center Foundation to participate in second annual Colorado Gives Day
LOVELAND, Colo. (Nov. 23, 2011) – McKee Medical Center Foundation announces its support of the second annual Colorado Gives Day – an initiative to increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving to Colorado charities.

Ironwood flu vaccine
SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. (Nov. 21, 2011) –In an unprecedented commitment to patient safety, Banner Ironwood Medical Center is requiring all staff, physicians and volunteers to get the flu vaccine this year. Approximately 95 percent of staff received the vaccine to date.

Aetna Enters Accountable Care Collaboration with Banner Health Network, Introduces Aetna Whole Health to Employers in Phoenix Area
Phoenix, AZ (Nov. 21, 2011) — Aetna (NYSE: AET) today announced an accountable care collaboration with Banner Health Network and the introduction of Aetna Whole Health, a new commercial health care product that provides members access to highly coordinated care from physicians and facilities in the Banner Health Network. The Banner Health Network model is focused on wellness and improving patient care outcomes through better coordination and access to patient information. The new product will be available later this month to Maricopa County and some Pinal County employers with two-100 eligible employees.

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital to promote full-term
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (Nov. 17, 2011) --- Fairbanks Memorial Hospital (FMH), in coordination with Banner Health, recently established a policy promoting full-term labor and delivery for pregnancies of 39 or more weeks, absent any medical conditions that threaten the mother or baby.

EMCH Lobby Lecture early warning signs for stroke and heart attack
BRUSH, Colo. (Nov. 17, 2011) – The East Morgan County Hospital internist, Scott Faulkner, MD, invites area residents to join him Dec. 13 for the next Lobby Lecture Series topic: Early Warning Signs of Stroke and Heart Attacks.

Banner Boswell Banner Del E Webb medical centers announce new phone numbers
Sun Cities, Ariz. (Nov. 16, 2011) – Banner Boswell and Banner Del E. Webb medical centers have new phone prefixes effective immediately. If you are dialing Banner Boswell, you will now dial 623-832-4000. To dial Banner Del E. Webb, the number is now 623-524-4000.

Steven Charney honored as Banner Boswell’s 2011 ‘Top Doc’
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Nov. 16, 2011) – Steven Charney, MD, an interventional radiologist with Sun City Imaging, has been named the 2011 "Top Doc” award recipient at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City.

Banner Del E. Webb hosts ‘Eating Right with Diabetes’ on Dec. 8
SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. (Nov. 16, 2011) – Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center is hosting "Eating Right with Diabetes," a free seminar from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 in the Auditorium, located in the nonprofit hospital at 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West.

Banner Facilities To Use First Heart Valve Placed Without Open Heart Surgery
PHOENIX (Nov.15, 2011) – Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center and Banner Heart Hospital will be among the first in the nation to offer a new procedure that can replace an aortic heart valve in patients with Aortic Stenosis. This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Sapien Transcatheter Heart Valve, which can be placed without the invasive open heart surgery that was previously required to treat such patients

Andy Byers named Ogallala 2011 Caring Kind Recipient
LAVISTA, Neb. (Nov. 15, 2011)— For 32 years, the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) has paid tribute to the state’s most caring hospital workers by honoring them with the Caring Kind Award. Andy Byers, Maintenance Tech, at Banner Health Ogallala Community Hospital was recently recognized during the Caring Kind Awards Luncheon held on October 21 in LaVista, Neb.

Banner Boswell lecture on Dec. 13 answers back pain questions
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Nov. 15, 2011) – Back pain is one of the most common health complaints, affecting 80 percent of people at some point in their lives. That's why Banner Boswell Medical Center is hosting "Why Does My Back Hurt?" a free seminar from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

EMCH schedules blood drive for Nov. 22
BRUSH, Colo. (Nov. 15, 2011) – East Morgan County Hospital will be holding a “Be Thankful” blood drive on November 22 at the hospital. “Donating blood gives back to our community and helps our patients when they need a transfusion,” said Cindy Nestor, Interim Laboratory Manager at EMCH. “On average a transfusion for a patient will require two units.”

Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center welcomes daVinci robot to surgical team
SUN CITY WEST (Nov. 15, 2011) – Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center welcomed the daVinci surgical robot to one of its operating rooms last week, and will begin using it by the end of the month. The amazing machine doesn’t replace surgeons, but complements their expertise by boosting their vision and precision during an operation.

Banner Good Samaritan's Cavanagh Heart Center Receives Prestigious Heart Failure Accreditation
PHOENIX (Nov. 14, 2011) – Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center's Cavanagh Heart Center has been designated an Accredited Heart Failure Center from the Healthcare Accreditation Colloquium (HAC), a nationally recognized organization dedicated to improving care and survival rates for heart failure patients.

Unity for Our Community at Banner Del E. Webb to conduct food drive
SUN CITY WEST (Nov. 9, 2011) – Unity for Our Community at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center aims to help feed those in need this holiday season during its nonperishable food drive.

Gala raises more than $91,000 for the Stepping Stones Adult Day Program at McKee
LOVELAND, Colo. (Nov. 7, 2011) – McKee Presents…Hearts of the West, presented by The Friends of the Hospital, with major sponsorship provided by Home State Bank, was held Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland. Attended by more than 300 business owners, physicians, community leaders and McKee Foundation supporters, the event raised more than $91,000. Ticket sales, sponsorship contributions, and auction revenue will benefit the Stepping Stones Adult Day Program at McKee.

Washakie Hospital Foundation purchases blanket warmer
WORLAND, Wyo. (Nov. 7, 2011)- Washakie Hospital Foundation has donated a blanket warmer to provide added comfort to patients receiving imaging tests. The $8,000 cabinet style blanket warmer has digitally controlled heating to assure uniform heating of blankets and patient gowns.

X-ray free technology allows better placement of central catheter lines
SUN CITY WEST (Nov. 7, 2011) – Banner Del E. Webb is the first Banner facility and among the first in the state to use the Sapiens TCS (Bard Access Systems) device for the insertion of PICC lines.

EMCH Lobby Lecture Car Accidents and Blast Injuries
BRUSH, Colo. (Nov. 3, 2011) – The East Morgan County Hospital emergency department physician assistant, Mike Roberts, invites area residents to join him Nov. 8 for the next Lobby Lecture series topic, Trauma: Car Accidents and Blast Injuries.

Citywide Memory Event
PHOENIX, ARIZ. (Nov. 3, 2011) – Are you concerned that you may be experiencing memory loss? Have you had your memory tested recently?

EMCH salutes Health Information Management Week
BRUSH, Colo. (Nov. 2, 2011) – East Morgan County Hospital salutes the dedicated health information management (HIM) and health information technology (HIT) professionals on staff and in our community, who play an integral role in today’s rapidly evolving health care industry.

Banner Del E. Webb launches valet service for patients
SUN CITY WEST (Nov. 1, 2011) – Halloween brought new treat for patients visiting the Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center women's center and day-surgery. The nonprofit hospital launched a pilot program this month that will provide an added level of service for its patients, as a free valet service started Oct. 31 at the Lousia Kellam Center for Women’s Health entrance. American Valet serves that entrance 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Mystie Johnson becomes new CMO of Banner Del E. Webb
SUN CITY WEST (Oct. 21, 2011) – Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center has a new top doc in Mystie Johnson, MD, who became the facility’s chief medical officer this month.

Banner Boswell encourages community to donate blood during holidays
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Oct. 31, 2011) – This holiday season, one employee at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, is asking people not to buy gifts for their loved ones. Instead, Tammy Miner-Agee, a Peoria resident and health unit coordinator at the nonprofit hospital, is urging people to donate blood.

Banner Health pilots Telepsych program; allows patients to speak to behavioral expert from Emergency department
PHOENIX (Oct. 31, 2011) – Two Banner Health hospitals are testing a new program that allows patients with behavioral health issues in hospital Emergency departments to “see” a psychiatrist via a secured video link.

Banner Boswell honors October volunteer of the month
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Oct. 28, 2011) – The Volunteer Services department at Banner Boswell Medical Center has selected Kathy Skaggs as the October Volunteer of the Month.

Banner Boswell earns NICHE designation for elder care
Sun City, AZ (Oct. 27, 2011) – Banner Boswell Medical Center has been designated as a NICHE hospital, in recognition of the unique care it brings to the Sun City community. NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Health System Elders) designation means that the hospital has met the criteria for providing optimal care to the geriatric population.

Cardon Children's to host free marrow donor drive in November
Cardon Children’s Medical Center will host a Marrow Donor Drive with the National Marrow Donor Program on Saturday, November 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fiesta Mall, 1445 W. Southern Ave. in Mesa.

Long-time Greeley women’s health clinic joins Banner Medical Group
GREELEY, Colo. (Oct. 25, 2011) — The Women’s Clinic of Greeley is now Banner Health Clinic – OB/Gyn Greeley and part of the Banner Health family of physicians.

Need help paying for healthcare?
BRUSH, Colo. (Oct. 24, 2011) – East Morgan County Hospital will host a forum, Paying for Healthcare, as a service to the community on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the hospital, 2400 W. Edison in Brush. Paying for Healthcare will be held in the main conference room from 3:30 – 6 p.m.

Community Hospital institutes daily quiet hours
TORRINGTON, Wyo. (Oct. 18, 2011) – Beginning Nov. 1, 2011, Banner Community Hospital in Torrington will institute quiet hours from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. daily. During this time the main hallway through the hospital will be closed to through traffic, and activities related to care will be minimized to allow a critical period of rest for patients.

Community Healthcare Foundation donates $2,500 to Goshen Care Center
TORRINGTON, Wyo. (October 20, 2011) – The Community Healthcare Foundation donated $2,500 to the Goshen Care Center living room project this week. Goshen Care Center began raising money to update the activities room in October 2010, and has since raised over $7,500 of the $10,391 needed to complete the project.

Robert Fried, MD, joins Banner Health as palliative care specialist
GREELEY, Colo. (Oct. 18, 2011) – Banner Health welcomes palliative care specialist Robert A. Fried, MD, to its team of medical professionals in Greeley.

First Baby Marks the “Genesis” of a New Century for Banner Good Samaritan
PHOENIX (Oct. 18, 2011) – Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center began its first century of providing healthcare to Arizona on Oct. 18, 1911, and today, the birth of a new century begins with Genesis Ballesteros.

Banner Boswell installs new CT scanner, offers patients lower doses of radiation
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Oct. 17, 2011) – This month, Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City is installing a new CT scanner to enhance the level of service to patients in the Northwest Valley. This is the third CT scanner at the non-profit hospital, which performs about 30,000 CT scans each year.

Banner Del E. Webb welcomes new mobile breast MRI unit
SUN CITY WEST (Oct. 14, 2011) – For three days every week, a new mobile breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit is now on campus of Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center located at 14502 W. Meeker Blvd. Sun City West, adding an additional layer of detection for patients. The unit is available for exams Fridays, Mondays and Tuesdays.

Banner Good Samaritan Celebrates a Century of Providing Health Care To Arizona
PHOENIX (Oct. 13, 2011) – Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center has come a long way since its original 20-bed hospital in 1911. The medical center, which is four months older than the state of Arizona will mark its 100th anniversary with a community celebration on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10 am to 2 pm.

Burn Center golf tournament raises record amount of funds
GREELEY, Colo. (Oct. 12, 2011) – Despite British Open-like conditions with rain, wind, and low temperatures setting the tone for the day, more than 300 golfers, sponsors and volunteers participated in the sold-out 21st annual Western States Burn Center Golf Classic, hosted by the North Colorado Medical Center Foundation.

McKee Breast Center earns Center of Excellence designation
LOVELAND, Colo. (Oct. 12, 2011) – The McKee Breast Center at McKee Medical Center has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.

McKee Medical Center announces schedule of flu shot clinics
LOVELAND, Colo. (Oct. 11, 2011) –Wellness Services at McKee Medical Center will offer several community flu shot clinics throughout the area over the next few weeks. The vaccination offered is to help prevent the seasonal flu. The Centers for Disease Control recommends everyone 6 months of age and older have a yearly flu vaccine. The 2011-2012 flu vaccine will protect against viruses that research shows will be most common this season: influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus, and influenza B virus.

Banner Health expands regional diabetes education program
GREELEY, Colo. (Oct. 10, 2011) – To meet the ongoing demand for resources and education related to diabetes, the staff of Banner Health Outpatient Diabetes Education have enhanced and expanded the program in Greeley, Windsor and Loveland. The program will expand to Johnstown Family Physicians later this year.

Loveland anesthesiology group becomes part of Banner Health
LOVELAND, Colo. (Oct. 7, 2011) – The anesthesiology group that has served McKee Medical Center since the hospital opened in 1976 now has become a part of Banner Health.

Banner Del E. Webb honored for organ donation efforts
SUN CITY WEST (Oct. 6, 2011) – Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center received recognition for its contributions to The Donor Network of Arizona at its 25th Anniversary awards dinner last month.

McKee Presents…Hearts of the West Gala celebrates 30 Years of Giving
LOVELAND, Colo. (Oct. 4, 2011) – Presented by The Friends of the Hospital, McKee Presents…Hearts of the West Gala, will be Saturday, Nov. 5 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in Loveland.

North Colorado Medical Center features staff, community in video
GREELEY, Colo. (Oct. 4, 2011) – You can now see the Pink Glove Dance featuring North Colorado Medical Center staff members and area breast cancer survivors.

Nurse practitioner earns certification in heart failure care
GREELEY, Colo. (Oct. 3, 2011)—Missy Jensen, nurse practitioner, with the CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado at North Colorado Medical Center and McKee Medical Center, has been named a Certified Heart Failure nurse by the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses.

Early Detection Saves Lives
SUN CITY WEST (Oct. 4, 2011) – The earlier breast cancer is detected, the greater the chance for recovery and survival. While the yearly mammogram is still the gold standard for early detection, there are other imaging techniques that when used in conjunction with mammography can provide an earlier diagnosis. A panel of experts and physicians will discuss these new techniques from 12 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. Register for this free event by calling (602) 230-CARE (2273).

Banner Boswell seeks special project volunteers
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Oct. 4, 2011) – Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City currently is looking for volunteers to provide assistance at the hospital in floating positions for special projects. Special project volunteers perform a variety of tasks including greeting visitors and providing clerical assistance to specific departments or areas as needed.

Remembrance Day helps parents cope with loss
SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. (Oct. 3, 2011) – Whether a baby lives just a few short weeks in the womb, or lives only a single minute on this earth, they are still children in the hearts of their mothers. Mothers who lose babies through miscarriage, stillbirth or shortly after birth often live with an unresolved grief. Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center honors these infants, their mothers and families during its annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Ceremony, “Remembering Our Babies.”

Banner Olive Branch Senior Center to help veterans to get jobs
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Oct. 3, 2011) – Headquartered in Arizona, Operation American Patriot, a newly formed Veterans’ advocacy group, is partnering with local businesses and organizations to assist America’s Veterans in accessing much-needed medical, behavioral health and employment resources.

Clifford L. Zeller, MD, named new chief medical officer for Banner Behavioral Health Hospital
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Oct. 3, 2011) – Clifford L. Zeller, MD, has accepted the position of Chief Medical Officer at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital in Scottsdale. Dr. Zeller replaces former Chief Medical Officer James Clark, MD, who retired earlier this year.