The Public Relations Department at Banner Desert Medical Center is on site at the hospital from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A public relations representative is available 24/7 through the Media Pager (602) 223-5700.

You can reach the Public Relations office at (480) 512-3205 or by e-mail.

If you are a member of the media and need to reach us immediately, please use the Media Pager at (602) 223-5700. A Public Relations staff member will call you back immediately.

Banner Desert recognizes the importance of media communication, but supports the need to protect patient privacy. Our goal is to help you find the best sources for your story, on deadline.

Specifically, the Public Relations staff assists journalists by:

• Distributing news releases, advisories and PSAs via fax, mail or e-mail
• Coordinating on-camera and phone interviews with experts from Banner Desert Medical Center and/or Banner Health
• Offering b-roll and photographs to accompany stories, as available
• Arranging on-site logistics for visiting news crews
• Providing one-word condition reports on current patients
• Background information on the hospital and faculty

The Public Relations staff also processes patient update requests from media with the utmost regard for a patient's right to confidentiality guaranteed by the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the dissemination of consistent, accurate information. Information released to the media will be to the extent permitted by federal and state laws. A patient's or employee's individual wishes for privacy or to participate in media coverage are foremost in this policy.