For Media
The Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center Public Relations staff is responsible for building relationships with community and media organizations in an effort to provide information about medical services and events. We recognize that media is an important communication link, but understand the news to protect patient privacy.
For more information, click on one of the following links:
- Media Requests for Interviews or Photographs
- Public Relations Staff/Weekend and holiday hours
- Looking for an expert?
- Release of Patient Information
Media Requests for Interviews or Photographs
Members of the media interested in conducting interviews or taking photographs of staff, patients or patients' families must request permission from the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center Public Relations staff. This includes visits to the campus for live stand-ups and other external shots.
Public Relations Staff
The Public Relations Department at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center is on site at the hospital from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Susan Gordon, Public Relations Director
(480) 543-2300
- Krista Paske, Public Relations Specialist
(480) 543-2594
After Hours, Weekends or Holidays
For assistance after hours (between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.), and on weekends, or holidays, media should call our centralized Public Relations number at (480) 788-6540. Please make sure to leave a message. A Public Relations staff member will call you back immediately.
Looking for an Expert?
Our staff can help you connect with one of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center's top doctors. Contact our office at (480) 543-2300 or (480) 543-2594.
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center 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
- 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
Release of Patient Information
The Public Relations staff 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.
Information about the condition of an inpatient, outpatient, or emergency department patient may be released only if the inquiry specifically contains the patient's name.
A patient's or employee's individual wishes for privacy or to participate in media coverage are foremost in this policy. A patient, or the person authorized to give consent, can opt out of providing information altogether.
For more details regarding our policy on providing patient information or other hospital related requests, please contact us.
